Ideas to flow

To further bolster the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Bahrain is gearing up to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) from November 17 to 23.

Tenmou, Bahrain’s first ‘Business Angels’ organisation, in strategic partnership with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), will organise a series of events joining the largest celebration of entrepreneurship in the world.
 
Highlights will include the formation of an exclusive Entrepreneurial Advisory Board for Bahrain, with Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa as the chairman and Kamal Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and acting chief executive of the EDB, as vice chairman.
 
In addition, Tenmou will host the third ‘Start-up’ Weekend to help develop and support entrepreneurs. The event will bring together potential entrepreneurs to pitch innovative ideas, form teams and develop prototypes and pitch presentations. The best three will receive prizes.

Sami Jalal, chairman of Tenmou, said: “Bahrain has long been at the centre of entrepreneurship, with its highly-skilled workforce and ease of doing business. This year GEW will connect more than 9,000 global partners in 140 countries with 25,000 events taking place during that week. Participating in GEW helps us to bolster Bahrain’s reputation internationally.”

Mr Ahmed believes such events highlight the important role entrepreneurship plays in the kingdom, and act as a means of further diversification and economic growth.

“We are actively looking to encourage entrepreneurs from around the world and to develop an environment that allows businessmen and women the opportunity to discuss and share their ideas and experiences,” he added.

“Bahrain’s innovative contributions allowed for the development of an environment that supports and promotes innovation and creativity, which will further allow the kingdom to become a global leader in entrepreneurship.”

Furthermore, a range of signature events have been organised with partner organisations such as Tamkeen, Batelco, KPMG Fakhroo, 4spots and Unisono to support aspiring entrepreneurs and ambitious young people with an interest in starting their own businesses.

The first day will kick-off with a launch dinner which will be followed by mentorship sessions and workshops which will help guide the budding entrepreneurs in a step-by-step process to start a business. Participants can enrol online at bh.gew.co  

As reported earlier in GulfWeekly, established with a start-up capital of BD1 million, Tenmou invests an average of BD20,000 for a stake of on average 20 per cent in each project that meets its criteria, and will provide a three-month mentorship period, including support services, at no cost to the entrepreneurs.