INJAZ Bahrain has concluded the 18th edition of its Young Entrepreneurs Competition, a two-day event that brought together the most promising student-led ventures from across the Kingdom. The competition serves as the final stage for the 2026 Company Program, an initiative that guided over 1,100 students in developing their business ideas.
Quick Facts
- 18th edition of the annual student competition.
- Over 1,100 students participated in the program.
- 20 student companies advanced to the national finals.
From Classroom to Boardroom
The competition began with an intensive assessment day where 20 finalist teams—10 from universities and 10 from high schools—presented their business concepts to a judging panel of industry leaders. The event culminated in an awards ceremony celebrating achievements in innovation, sustainability, and leadership.
Her Highness Sheikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, INJAZ Bahrain Chairperson, commented on the event’s impact, stating, “The Young Entrepreneurs Competition continues to showcase the remarkable creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of Bahrain’s youth. Every year, we witness innovative ideas that address real-world challenges while demonstrating the talent and ambition that will help shape the future of our economy.”
Spotlight on Winning Ventures
The competition recognized student companies across eight main award categories for both high school and university tracks.
The prestigious Company of the Year Award was presented to Peel from Al Hekma International School (High School track) and ZEROIL from University of Strathclyde Bahrain (University track).
Other key winners included:
- Innovative Venture Award: Olani (St Christopher’s School) and Axis (University of Bahrain).
- Global Impact Award: Zaad (Hidd Secondary Girls School) and Cellupla (University of Bahrain).
- Product of the Year Award: Lawen (Modern Knowledge Schools) and Connect (American University of Bahrain).
Signature awards were also presented, with Mohammed Khawajki, CEO of ZEROIL, winning the Rising CEO Award by stc Bahrain, and Axis from the University of Bahrain securing the Excellence in Technology Award by Tamkeen.
Ecosystem Leaders Backing Bahrain’s Youth
The event highlighted strong support from Bahrain’s business community. The judging panel featured representatives from prominent organizations including Bapco Energies, EDB, Al Salam Bank, Beyon, and Mumtalakat.
Key sponsors included Platinum Sponsor Tamkeen; Gold Sponsors Alba, Batelco, and Bapco Energies; and Signature Sponsors CrediMax, BBK, BASREC, stc Bahrain, and Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons. Beyond the competition, participating students also gain access to job shadowing experiences, internships, and scholarships.
About INJAZ Bahrain
Established in 2005 as a member of the Junior Achievement global network, INJAZ Bahrain is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people to succeed in a global economy. Through programs focused on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness, it has reached over 1.1 million students across more than 290 schools and universities, with the support of over 20,000 volunteers.
Source: Zawya
