The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), in partnership with Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB), has successfully concluded the NBB Innovation Programme 2025. The three-week accelerator, designed to foster early-stage Bahraini fintech talent, culminated in a high-impact Demo Day where the winning team was announced.
Fostering AI-Driven Banking Solutions
Launched during FinTech Forward 2025, the initiative gathered aspiring fintech entrepreneurs to develop scalable, AI-driven banking solutions tailored for Bahrain’s progressive financial services sector. Over three intensive weeks, participants engaged in a structured journey that included startup mentorship, regulatory insights, and technical training. The core objective was to provide young innovators with the skills and support needed to convert their ideas into viable applications.
A High-Impact Demo Day
The program concluded with a Demo Day, where the shortlisted teams presented their solutions to a judging panel of banking and fintech experts. Following a rigorous evaluation based on innovation, use of AI, market potential, scalability, and overall impact, one team was selected as the winner.
Winner’s Rewards and Future Prospects
The winning team received a USD 10,000 cash prize and a three-month incubation period at Bahrain FinTech Bay. This incubation will provide them with further support to refine their solution. Additionally, the team will engage in potential partnership discussions with NBB to explore the possibility of implementing their technology within a real-world banking environment.
A Multi-Track Approach to Innovation
The programme was delivered across three distinct tracks to cover the strategic and technical aspects of fintech innovation. The Fintech Founders Track, led by experienced entrepreneurs, focused on startup execution and scaling strategies. The NBB Track provided participants with mentorship from banking professionals, covering regulatory frameworks and bank-fintech collaboration models. The BFB Track, facilitated by Bahrain FinTech Bay, offered workshops on business model validation, investor readiness, and the use of AI-powered tools.
About NBB Innovation Programme 2025
The NBB Innovation Programme 2025 reflects a shared vision between the National Bank of Bahrain and Bahrain FinTech Bay to cultivate a sustainable, innovation-led fintech ecosystem in the Kingdom. The initiative aims to create opportunities for collaboration between startups and established institutions, encourage the development of customer-centric digital banking solutions, and empower young entrepreneurs with access to funding, mentorship, and pathways to real-world application.
Source: BizBahrain
