The sixth edition of the Women in Tech Futuremakers programme in Bahrain has concluded, awarding $75,000 in funding to three standout women-led startups. The initiative, led by Standard Chartered in collaboration with Bahrain FinTech Bay, is a cornerstone for supporting female entrepreneurship in the Kingdom’s technology sector and is backed by key partners including Tamkeen, the Supreme Council for Women, and UNIDO.
Celebrating The Winning Innovators
Following a rigorous evaluation of their business models and growth potential, three founders were selected as the top winners from a cohort of ten finalists. The winners are:
- First Place ($35,000): Saleem, founded by Dr. Razan Al-Jabal.
- Second Place ($25,000): Wajba, founded by Lolwa Sulaiteen.
- Third Place ($15,000): Tamam, founded by War Al-Darazi.
The winning startups represent a diverse range of sectors and were chosen by a distinguished judging panel of programme partners.
An Intensive Journey of Growth and Mentorship
The programme provided the ten finalists with an intensive eight-week incubation journey. Participants received customized mentorship, practical workshops, and specialized pitch training to prepare them for the final demo day and support the long-term success of their ventures. Bader Sater, CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay, commented, “This cohort has shown that Bahraini women are not only capable of innovating across various industries but are also ready to lead the future of tech-driven entrepreneurship.”
A Commitment to Bahrain’s Tech Ecosystem
The initiative underscores a continued commitment from its partners to foster a thriving innovation ecosystem in Bahrain. Dr. Boutros Klink, CEO of Standard Chartered Bahrain, stated, “We are incredibly proud of the remarkable women who have graduated from the ‘Women in Tech’ Futuremakers programme. These founders are not just building startups; they are shaping the future of tech commerce.” The programme’s sixth cohort has brought the total number of supported startups in Bahrain to 61, with 22 having received a combined total of $385,000 in funding.
About The Women in Tech Futuremakers Programme
The “Women in Tech” Futuremakers Programme is a global initiative by Standard Chartered, implemented in Bahrain in partnership with Bahrain FinTech Bay. It aims to address the gender gap in technology and entrepreneurship by providing essential support to women-led businesses. The programme offers incubation, mentorship, and access to seed funding to help female entrepreneurs scale their tech-focused startups and contribute to the diversification of the economy.
Source: Al Bilad Press
