The leading platform for startups in the Kingdom of Bahrain

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa bin Salman Education Charitable Trust and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, today met with the Bahraini entrepreneurs and winners of the Startup Bahrain Pitch series organised by StartUp Bahrain, the leading platform for startups in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the SME Development Board.

His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman emphasised the importance of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through various initiatives such as the Startup Bahrain Pitch. This strengthens the private sector as a key driver of economic growth and advances Bahrain’s comprehensive development process under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

During the meeting, the winners showcased their innovative projects, which were selected by judging committees from previous editions of Startup Bahrain Pitch events.

His Highness commended their success in transforming business ideas into successful ventures and praised their innovation, determination, and perseverance to achieve positive impact.

His Highness also stated that entrepreneurship supports vital sectors in the Kingdom’s comprehensive economic development and noted the importance of investing in local talent to foster competitiveness and enhance Bahrain’s positioning as an entrepreneurial hub in the region.

Past winners of the Startup Bahrain Pitch series include the founders of production house and advisory firm, Fablemill; creatives platform, Codot; handcrafted granolas and nut butters brand, Early Riser; special education tools creators, Rokn; Japanese-inspired snacks brand Mame Pod; fermented food sellers, Fermendiet; group activities organiser, Kashta Tours; e-commerce platform Siin; and learning experience platform Lumofy.

On the sidelines of the meeting, an agreement was signed between Tamkeen and Mumtalakat, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which was signed by the Chief Executive of Mumtalakat Bahrain Holding Company, His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and the Chief Executive of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), Her Excellency Ms Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez. The agreement aims to launch a new initiative that supports entrepreneurs and the innovation landscape in the Kingdom. The agreement also includes a collaboration to launch the “Startup of the Year” competition, in which the winning startups from previous Startup Bahrain Pitch editions will be eligible to compete.

The StartUp Bahrain Pitch series has been instrumental in showcasing Bahrain’s dynamic entrepreneurship scene since its launch in 2023, to connect innovative entrepreneurs with potential investors. The initiative provides entrepreneurs with a platform to pitch their concepts in front of a panel of seasoned judges and experts following an intensive boot camp that equips participants with valuable skills and knowledge.

The initiative aligns with Tamkeen’s mission to support enterprises at all stages of their journey through programmes such as Global Ready Entrepreneur, Riyadat, and Start Your Business. By empowering Bahrainis with sound business ideas, Tamkeen paves the way for the creation of new employment opportunities, while helping to diversify the business landscape, promote innovation, and further contribute to the national economy.

The Minister of Finance and National Economy and the Chairman of Mumtalakat Bahrain Holding Company, His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, representatives from government entities, the private sector, and Bahraini entrepreneurs were also in attendance.