StartUp Bahrain, the leading platform for startups in the Kingdom of Bahrain, supported by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), recently hosted its highly anticipated StartUp Bahrain Pitch series​ in the presence of His Excellency Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce​. The event was organized in collaboration with key industry stakeholders, including the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Bahrain Economic Development Board, and Bahrain Development Bank (BDB).

The event featured an inspiring keynote speech about entrepreneurship by judging panel member Ayhem Ghanmi, Partner at truffl ventures, who was joined by a number of experienced local and regional judges, including: Sam Marchant, Partner at Inaugural; Feras Al Safwan, Investment Manager at Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship Center; Mal Filipowska, Portfolio & Platform Manager at Seedstars.

The event’s edition focused on the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector and showcased seven Bahraini startups presenting their innovative ideas, including: Maiwa, a local brand that provides a range of healthy, well-balanced baby food and fruit-based snacks suitable for all ages; Loje Patisserie, founded by a passionate 13-year-old chef and specialized in creating delightful products that retain their shape without deforming and are made without any added chemicals; JERAR, Bahraini brand dedicated to the art of flavor, specializing in herbs, seasonings, and edible natural products; ReQahwa, an innovative startup dedicated to sustainability by upcycling coffee waste into high-quality charcoal; Grams & Cals, a dynamic startup focused on transforming snacking into a delightful and nutritious experience while offering a range of local, handmade snacks that serve as healthy alternatives without sacrificing flavor; The Salad Bar Café, a service that offers customizable dining experience that transforms cravings into personalized salad creations; and Jomon, Bahrain’s first plant-based creamery, offering a diverse array of products, including vegan cheese, yogurt, labneh, and more.

After analyzing and evaluating each startup, the judges awarded first place to Grams & Cals, and second place to Loje Patisserie. Reflecting on their significant win, Feras Alshowaikh, one of the founders of the startup, showed deep gratitude for the chance to present their startup on a national platform.

“Winning this has been absolutely incredible! We’re truly grateful for the unwavering support from Bahrain’s vibrant startup ecosystem, including the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, the Economic Development Board, Tamkeen, and Bahrain Development Bank,” said Feras Alshowaikh. “The StartUp Bahrain Pitch bootcamp was vital in enhancing our skillset and growth, helping us refine our pitch and prepare for the competition itself. StartUp Bahrain Pitch is a groundbreaking platform for startups—they give startups like ours the platform to gain valuable exposure, secure key opportunities, and build momentum. This win has given us the push we needed to elevate our startup and further ignite our passion even more, and we’re eager to keep innovating and growing!”

Learn more about StartUp Bahrain and how you can be involved by following @startupbahrain on social media, and get in touch to learn more.

Source: TAMKEEN