DQ Leaders is a new collaboration between DQ Living Magazine and the Success Saudi Podcast, highlighting innovators and changemakers in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. In this edition, we sit down with Latifah and Mashael AlYahya, the sisters behind Lamba Innovation Center, an after-school hub that is redefining how young people in Saudi Arabia learn, think, and create.
Located at the historic Tuwaiq Kindergarten in the heart of the DQ, Lamba offers children aged 6 to 18 a space to experiment, solve real-world problems, and gain confidence as innovators.
Meet the Founders
Could you introduce yourselves and tell us about Lamba?
We’re Mashael and Latifah AlYahya, the co-founders of Lamba Innovation Center, an after-school program designed for children between 6 to 18. At Lamba, we look at innovation as a complete cycle. Students begin by identifying and analyzing problems, then use technical tools like 3D printing, CNC machines, and coding to create potential solutions. What makes our program unique is that we encourage them to test, challenge, and refine their ideas until they are ready to present them publicly. This journey helps them build both technical knowledge and soft skills such as communication, design thinking, and problem solving.
Purpose-Driven Innovation
What kind of challenges do students tackle?
Our curriculum focuses on real-world issues. We cover renewable energy, space, climate change, agriculture, environmental sustainability, healthcare, and even school-related challenges. Students love working on problems that matter to them and that have clear relevance in today’s world. Our motto is that we want them to innovate with purpose.
Home in the Diplomatic Quarter
Why did you choose to establish Lamba in the DQ?
The Diplomatic Quarter is a diverse and international community that reflects the kind of collaborative environment we wanted for our students. Our location at the historic Tuwaiq Kindergarten also carries cultural and educational significance. It used to be a model kindergarten, and we wanted to find a space that could offer community building and bring that legacy of learning and creativity back to life. More than just a commercial space, it serves as a community hub where children feel safe to explore, experiment, and create.
Impact on Students and Parents
What do parents and children say about their experience?
The response has been heartwarming. Kids feel like they belong and are celebrated for their ideas. Parents often tell us they have seen their shy children become confident presenters in just a few weeks. Trial-and-error learning helps build resilience, while regular critique sessions give them the ability to grow and improve. We’ve seen six-year-olds using advanced terminology and older students confidently presenting their solutions on stage. For us, that transformation is the most rewarding outcome.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
We would begin by piloting our programs with schools and organizations before investing in a physical space. One of our biggest challenges was raising awareness about what Lamba is, since our multidisciplinary model is still new to the market. If we had started by testing smaller programs and building familiarity step by step, it would have made the journey smoother.
What’s Next for Lamba
What new programs can we look forward to?
We have just launched the Skills Lab, which offers short and intensive courses in coding, 3D printing, and game design. Each course runs for two weeks and is available at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. We will continue updating our offerings every six months to meet demand from students, parents, and the wider market. Given the growth of gaming and esports in Saudi Arabia, we are particularly excited to prepare students for opportunities in this field.
Alongside the Skills Lab, we continue to offer our Mind Lab program which runs for six to seven weeks and is repeated throughout the year. We also run holiday camps and monthly Saturday workshops, which give families a chance to experience Lamba in a shorter format. Our doors are always open for anyone who would like to visit and see the space for themselves.
A Message to the DQ Community
Any final thoughts for your neighbors in the DQ?
Collaboration is one of our core values, and we would always love to collaborate not only with businesses in the DQ but also with freelancers and creative individuals. We offer a lot of collaboration opportunities and it would be fantastic to have that engagement with the community.
About Lamba Innovation Center
Who they serve: Children ages 6–18
Programs: Mind Lab (6–7 weeks), Skills Lab (2 weeks), Holiday Camps, Monthly Workshops
Focus areas: Problem solving, design thinking, communication, coding, 3D printing, game design, CNC machining
Location: Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
Website: lamba.center
Instagram: @lambacenter
DQ Leaders is produced by DQ Living in collaboration with Success Saudi Podcast to showcase the stories shaping Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter.
