Homegrown gluten-free bakery ‘Dona’s Wonders’ has been crowned the winner of the 20th edition of the StartUp Bahrain Pitch, with natural nut butter producer ‘You’re Nuts’ taking second place.
The prestigious national competition, designed to foster innovation among Bahraini youth, was hosted by StartUp Bahrain, the kingdom’s leading platform for emerging enterprises.
Held with the support of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and in collaboration with the Industry and Commerce Ministry, the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), and the Bahrain Development Bank (BDB), the event reinforced the crucial role of entrepreneurship in the national economy.
A diverse group of Bahraini startups presented their ventures to an expert panel of judges, which included leading investors and seasoned experts such as Abe Seksek, partner at Sekuity Ventures; Ghassan Halawa, founder and chief executive officer of Parachute 16; Laith Al Khalili, associate director at Mumtalakat; and Safa Sharif, board member at EO Accelerator.
The startups competing for the top prize included Esbitar, a mobile healthcare provider that delivers high-quality, on-demand medical services directly to patients’ homes, and Herbal Mama, a haircare brand offering plant-based, chemical-free formulas.
Following the evaluations, Dona Maria of Dona’s Wonders’ expressed her delight, saying: “We are honoured to have won first place in this edition of StartUp Bahrain Pitch, a leading entrepreneurial platform that fosters creativity and supports promising ventures. This victory marks a pivotal milestone in our startup’s journey, as it will positively impact our aspirations and help us achieve our future goals for continued growth and excellence.”
Ali Albasri from You’re Nuts also extended his appreciation, noting that participating in the event was an “inspiring experience” that provided the opportunity to connect with “a distinguished group of entrepreneurs, mentors and industry experts,” opening new horizons for growth.
The support provided by Tamkeen for the platform aligns directly with its 2025 strategic priorities, which are focused on enhancing the position and competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector and prioritising enterprise growth, digitisation, and sustainability.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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