Over 120 aspiring entrepreneurs in Bahrain gathered for the “Youth to Business” program, a three-day intensive event designed to provide hands-on experience in building a startup. Organized by AIESEC and held at the Al-Ayam newspaper hall, the program moves beyond theory to immerse participants in the practical steps of turning an idea into a viable business project.
Quick Facts
- Over 120 young participants attended.
- A three-day hands-on training program.
- Concludes with a pitch competition and cash prizes.
From Idea Generation to Business Model
The program is structured as a progressive training path, guiding attendees from initial idea generation to building a business model and studying feasibility. According to Mohammed Haidar, head of the organizing committee, the goal is to provide a complete practical experience.
“The program was designed to provide youth with the tools and knowledge to enter the world of entrepreneurship with confidence,” Haidar explained. “It helps them test their ideas and develop them according to clear practical and commercial principles.”
The first two days were dedicated to a series of workshops and interactive sessions led by established entrepreneurs and industry experts, preparing the teams for the final day’s competition.
Expert-Led Workshops on Feasibility and Pitching
The event kicked off with a session by Mohammed Abdulali Al-A’ali on “How to Create Your Project Idea,” focusing on entrepreneurial thinking and identifying market needs. This was followed by a lecture from Mohammed Issa on conducting feasibility studies to assess the financial and commercial viability of a concept.
The second day featured a session on project presentation skills by Zahra Taher, who covered how to structure a compelling pitch for investors and judging panels. Ahmed Faraj, CEO of Limofay, led a workshop on building a business model, outlining how to define a project’s value proposition, target audience, and revenue streams.
To build confidence, the first day concluded with a practice session where teams presented their ideas to fellow participants for initial feedback, without a formal judging panel.
Mentorship and The Final Pitch
A key component of the program involved evening mentorship sessions where participants connected with founders of local startups. These mentors worked with individual teams to review their projects, answer questions, and provide final guidance before the main competition.
The third and final day is dedicated to the pitch competition. All teams will present their projects to a judging panel in an initial round, with the top projects advancing to a final round to determine the winners of the cash prizes.
The judging committee includes Amir Al-Dailami, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer at Bahrain Islamic Bank; Nawaf Al-Kooheji, Founder and CEO of Reete; Mohammed Al-A’ali, Managing Director of United Enterprises; and Omar Ayoub, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AIESEC in Bahrain.
About AIESEC
AIESEC is a global, non-profit organization run by youth for youth. It aims to develop leadership potential in young people through cross-cultural exchanges in the form of volunteering opportunities, internships, and professional experiences. The organization operates in numerous countries, including a local chapter in Bahrain.
Source: Al-Ayam
