Spring, in collaboration with Bahrain’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen), has announced the opening of registrations for the eleventh edition of “Rise: The Art of Fundraising.” The intensive two-week training program is designed to equip startup founders with the essential skills needed to attract investment and scale their businesses across the region.
The program is specifically tailored to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of the fundraising process, ensuring they can leverage all available opportunities. Selected startups will also gain the chance to participate in the prestigious StartUp Bahrain Pitch series, a key component of the program’s curriculum.
A Gateway to MENA Investors
Conducted under the supervision of Spring and in partnership with Salica Investments, the Rise program provides participants with direct access to a curated network of leading investors from across the Middle East and North Africa. This strategic initiative furnishes founders with the critical tools and connections required to accelerate their growth and achieve sustainable success.
This partnership aligns with Tamkeen’s 2025 strategic priorities, which focus on enhancing the competitiveness of Bahraini talent in the private sector and prioritizing the growth, digitalization, and sustainability of local enterprises.
Proven Track Record of Empowering Founders
Since its inception, the Rise program has supported 123 startups through ten successful cohorts. It has helped founders refine their investor pitches, formulate effective funding strategies, and build the confidence to pursue ambitious growth plans. The curriculum features interactive workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and group sessions with industry experts, ensuring entrepreneurs master fundraising strategies, presentation skills, and business plan development.
A cornerstone of the program is the StartUp Bahrain Pitch series, which offers founders a platform to showcase their innovative projects to a judging panel and an audience of influential leaders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These events are organized in collaboration with key Bahraini entities, including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Tamkeen, the Economic Development Board (EDB), Bahrain Development Bank, and StartUp Bahrain. The series culminates with a winning company receiving a financial prize to advance its strategic goals, along with potential funding and advisory support from program partners.
Founder Testimonials
Ghassan Asfahani, founder of Wajba and winner of the 18th edition of StartUp Bahrain Pitch, commented on his experience, stating, “The Rise program provided me with an exceptional learning experience that went beyond the traditional concept of fundraising. It gave me a deeper understanding of startup growth strategies and how to build a future direction on a scientific and well-studied basis. It also provided an ideal platform to interact with a group of experts and mentors who have a precise understanding of entrepreneurial challenges.”
Mohammed Haider, founder of We-Fit and a participant in the program’s ninth cohort, added, “The Rise program helped me develop my skills in pitching ideas to investors and gain a deeper understanding of their criteria for evaluating startups. The program was distinguished by its systematic and applicable approach, and its sessions were full of interaction and practical discussions, which brought a qualitative shift in my entrepreneurial journey and gave me the confidence and ability to lead my project with clearer and more sustainable steps.”
About Rise The Art of Fundraising
Rise: The Art of Fundraising is an intensive training program designed to empower startup founders with the necessary skills, knowledge, and network to successfully raise capital. A collaboration between Spring, Tamkeen, and Salica Investments, the program provides comprehensive guidance on fundraising strategies, investor pitching, and business scaling. Through workshops, mentorship, and a direct link to the StartUp Bahrain ecosystem, Rise aims to accelerate the growth of promising ventures in the MENA region.
Source: Albilad Press
