Bahrain’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has launched a new series of entrepreneurship training programs under the name “StartUp Bahrain Pitch”, that focuses on the fundamentals of fundraising and pitching to investors with the aim of empowering Bahraini entrepreneurs to secure the funds required to grow their startups.
These programs are the result of a Team Bahrain collaboration that includes public and private sector ecosystem champions including the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Bahrain Development Bank (BDB), Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organization, and StartUp Bahrain alongside key players from the private sector.
The programs were designed in collaboration with the partners to support high-potential Bahraini startups that have a strong potential for growth and expansion. Given the importance of fundraising to facilitate growth for startups, the program will begin with a phase that focuses on this topic through three courses, Investment Readiness Course, What Angel Investors Learn Before They Invest Course, and Qualified Angel Investment Certification.
It will be delivered in two iterations that target early-stage and growth-stage startups. After the training, the shortlisted participants will be hosted in a pitching event where they will pitch their businesses to a panel of investors for the potential to raise capital and win cash prizes. The program aims to train 80 startups per year and host pitch events for 32 startups to get a chance to raise funding. The training courses will be delivered in collaboration with the World Business Angel Investment Forum.
Maha Mofeez Acting CEO – Tamkeen
“Startups are catalysts for growth in any economy, they provide employment opportunities, drive innovation and advance technology. Through this program, we are tackling one of the main challenges facing startups which is fundraising. Fundraising is crucial for their growth and expansion potential therefore we developed a program that will equip Bahraini entrepreneurs with the tools and skills required to secure funding for their businesses through a series of training programs and pitching events that put them in front of serious real-world investors who can add value to their companies both through funding and sharing knowledge and experience.”
Tamkeen will execute this program through “Startup Bahrain”, a platform that will serve startups and entrepreneurs locally, to build a strong network for the ecosystem, identify and solve the ecosystem challenges and connect startups with suitable Tamkeen programs.
Bahraini entrepreneurs and startup founders who have a scalable business, an existing customer base and valid CRs are encouraged to apply for this program to reap the benefits of training with experts and access viable funding opportunities. Applications will be open from 30 October on the StartUp Bahrain website.
