Beban, Bahrain’s first entrepreneurship-themed reality show produced by Hope Ventures, the investment arm of Hope Fund, announces Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor as its official Royal Hospitality Partner for its soon-to-be-aired second season.

The show sheds light on entrepreneurship success stories and facilitates co-investment opportunities for high-potential businesses alongside the private sector. Season 1 resulted in a commitment of 5 deals worth over USD 1,000,000 in total and USD 120,000 worth of advance orders. Season 2 will be bigger, louder, and much more exciting as it expanded to include entrepreneurs and strategic business opportunities from the United Arab Emirates.

The partnership announcement was made during a signing ceremony attended by H.E. Aymen bin Tawfiq Almoayed, Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs and Chairman of Hope Fund, and Mr. Hisham Ahmed Alrayes, Chairman of GFH Financial Group, Ms. Fajer Saleh Alpachachi, General Manager of Hope Ventures, and Mrs. Marie-Berengere Chapoton, General Manager of Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor.

By being Beban’s Royal Hospitality Partner, Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor will be hosting regional investors and entrepreneurs who will be appearing on Beban 2. Al Areen Palace and Spa venue will also be utilized for the shooting of the show where entrepreneurs will pitch before a panel of reputable regional investors for equity investment and strategic business development opportunities.

Commenting on the occasion, H.E. Mr. Aymen bin Tawfiq Almoayed said: “We are proud of the great support that Beban has from His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, which contributed to the first season’s accomplishments that include boosting the local investment ecosystem. We look forward to maintaining and further advancing these achievements through Beban 2 with what supports Bahraini youth in their entrepreneurial endeavors and their growth.”

He further added: “We created Beban to facilitate co-investment opportunities besides the private sector for merited Bahraini entrepreneurs with the potential to grow and scale beyond borders. With the shooting of season 2 approaching, we are pleased to announce our partnership with Al Areen to achieve that objective. Today, with our partnership, Beban’s select entrepreneurs will get to pitch for equity investment and strategic business development opportunities in one of Bahrain’s top luxury properties.”

Hisham Ahmed Alrayes, CEO of GFH Financial Group also commented: “We are proud to be partnering with Hope on Beban 2 to empower and further support the expansion of Bahrain’s startup ecosystem and help accelerate the growth of promising young Bahraini entrepreneurs. We are keen on having Al Areen Palace and Spa by Accor act as an entrepreneurship hub during this exciting period and an oasis where participants can excel making the most of this incredibly valuable opportunity for exposure and development of their unique business ideas and models.”

Hope Ventures thanks His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Affairs and Youth Affairs, for His guidance and unwavering support that led to the creation and development of Beban, which contributes to the shaping of a robust, regional investment ecosystem.

To stay up to date with all-things-Beban, make sure you follow the show’s accounts on social media @bebantvshow. You can also contact the Hope Ventures team via e-mail at (hello@hopefund.bh) for further support and guidance.