Finance and National Economy Minister and Mumtalakat Holding Company chairman Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa attended the closing of the fifth edition of StartUp Bahrain Weekend, organised by the StartUp Bahrain initiative, Bahrain’s national startup platform supported by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), at the American University of Bahrain (AUBH).
The event attracted more than 200 entrepreneurs, developers, designers and marketers.
The winners were Team As-humi in first place, Echelon in second, and Bestook in third, while Team Salesfy won the “DOO” Choice Award and Gymna won the “NineDots” Choice Award.
The minister underlined Bahrain’s commitment to supporting youth entrepreneurship as a key driver of economic development.
He highlighted the rapid growth of the kingdom’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and its achievements, supported by His Majesty King Hamad and the government’s efforts to implement the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to advance economic growth and create quality job opportunities for citizens.
The minister noted that the StartUp Bahrain Weekend initiative is a successful national model that encourages Bahraini youth to innovate and transform ideas into entrepreneurial projects that drive economic growth and enhance Bahrain’s competitiveness regionally and globally.
He added that startups are among the main engines of the global economy and are expected to generate more than 14 per cent of jobs worldwide within the next five years, making them a vital source of growth.
He emphasised that startups play a major role in promoting innovation through the increased use of artificial intelligence and digital solutions, making them essential to building the economies of the future.
He commended the role of Tamkeen, chaired by Prime Minister’s Court Minister and Labour Fund (Tamkeen) board of directors chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for its support of programmes aimed at developing national talent, enhancing entrepreneurship and advancing an innovation- and knowledge-based economy.
During the event, an annual competition for students from the University of Bahrain’s (UoB) College of Business Administration was announced.
The initiative was launched by Education Minister and UoB board of trustees chairman of the Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma.
The 54-hour programme included intensive sessions led by more than 20 experts from leading institutions and companies in Bahrain.
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