Bahrain’s startup ecosystem showcased its latest innovators at the 26th edition of the Startup Bahrain Pitches, an event organized by the national platform Startup Bahrain with support from the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). The competition concluded with Robot Ahmed, an Arabic-speaking educational robot, securing first place, while AI-powered energy management platform Evoha took the runner-up position.
Quick Facts
- First Place: Robot Ahmed, an Arabic-speaking edtech robot
- Second Place: Evoha, an AI energy management platform
- Event: 26th Startup Bahrain Pitches
- Organizers: Startup Bahrain, supported by Tamkeen
A Platform for Bahrain’s Emerging Tech Scene
The event, backed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Board, drew high-profile attendees including H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and CEO of the Economic Development Board, and Maha Mofeez, CEO of Tamkeen. The goal was to provide an interactive platform for entrepreneurs to present their projects to a panel of experts and investors, gaining feedback to refine their growth strategies.
The judging panel and speakers included notable figures from the local investment community, such as Mashael Fairooz, co-founder of JEO Capital Management, and Laith Al-Khaili, an associate partner at Mumtalakat Holding Company, who provided practical insights for the participating founders.
Diverse Startups Take the Stage
The competition highlighted a range of tech solutions addressing local and regional market needs. Alongside the winners, other participants included Jumruk, a platform designed to automate customs clearance procedures, and As-humi, a trading platform. The diversity of the startups, from edtech to logistics and energy management, reflects the growing breadth of Bahrain’s entrepreneurial activity.
Winners Reflect on a Key Milestone
Following the announcement, the winning teams commented on the significance of the achievement.
Hanadi Alanazi from Robot Ahmed expressed her excitement, stating, “This win is an important station in our project’s journey and reflects the team’s efforts in developing an innovative business model. Participating in Startup Bahrain Pitches gave us a distinct opportunity to present our idea to experts and investors and benefit from their valuable feedback.”
Nawaf Hammadi of Evoha, the second-place winner, noted that the achievement is a motivator to continue developing their project. He added that the event provided a crucial platform to introduce their company, connect with the startup community, and open new avenues for growth and sustainability.
About Startup Bahrain
Startup Bahrain is the leading national platform for supporting emerging enterprises in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is backed by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and works to enhance the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting startups with resources, investors, and mentorship opportunities.
Source: Alayam
