Bahrain’s Labour Fund, Tamkeen, recently hosted a landmark event to showcase the growth and expansion journeys of successful Bahraini enterprises, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem. The gathering was held in collaboration with the SME Development Board and the StartUp Bahrain initiative as part of the celebrations for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025.
The event brought together key figures from the public and private sectors, including H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of Tamkeen, alongside prominent investors and founders.
Investor Insights from Regional VCs
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring leading investors from across the MENA region. The panel included Luca Barbi, Partner and COO at Saudi Technology Ventures (STV); Karim Abadir, Investment Partner at BECO Capital; and Walid Mansour, Founder and CEO at MEVP.
The VCs shared critical insights into what they look for in founders and their ventures, discussing key aspects of fundraising and outlining their perspectives on the future of startup growth in the region. Their participation provided invaluable guidance for Bahraini entrepreneurs seeking to scale their businesses.
Bahraini Founders Share Growth Journeys
The event also put a spotlight on local success stories, with a dedicated session featuring the founders of several prominent Bahraini startups. Representatives from Eat App, Flooss, Lola, and Remote Apps took the stage to share their experiences.
The discussion centered on the practical challenges and strategies involved in navigating growth, from scaling within the local market to expanding across the wider MENA region. These first-hand accounts offered inspirational and actionable takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs in the audience.
A Strategic Push for Entrepreneurship
This initiative aligns with Tamkeen’s 2025 strategic priorities, which focus on enhancing the competitiveness of Bahraini talent, providing upskilling opportunities for private sector careers, and prioritizing the growth, digitization, and sustainability of local enterprises. By connecting founders with investors and celebrating entrepreneurial success, Tamkeen continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Bahrain’s position as a dynamic hub for innovation.
About Tamkeen
Tamkeen is Bahrain’s Labour Fund, a semi-autonomous government agency tasked with making the private sector the engine of economic growth. It focuses on providing a wide range of support, including financing, grants, and training, to Bahraini individuals and enterprises to enhance their productivity and facilitate sustainable development.
Source: Alayam
