An AI-powered fashion consulting platform and an innovative educational career-mapping tool have emerged as the winners of the 24th StartUp Bahrain Pitch, marking another milestone for the kingdom’s thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem.
StylistWithin, founded by Nawara Kamal, secured the top spot at the high-stakes event, while Darb, led by Zahra Al Mahoozi, was awarded second place.
The competition, hosted by StartUp Bahrain and supported by Tamkeen, was held in collaboration with the SMEs Development Board to showcase the next generation of Bahraini business leaders.
This edition featured a judging panel of leading experts and seasoned investors in the entrepreneurship sector, including Fouad Fattal, vice-president of programmes at AstroLabs; Ali Mahmood, executive director at Plus Venture Capital; Murooj Al Saadi, founder and chief executive officer of Saudi-based Madaar and Laith Al Khalili, associate partner at Mumtalakat.
The winning venture, StylistWithin, utilises artificial intelligence to provide personalised style advice and outfit recommendations, aiming to disrupt the retail and personal shopping space.
Meanwhile, runner-up Darb is an ed-tech platform designed to empower high school students to make data-driven, informed decisions about their academic and professional futures.
“We are proud to have achieved first place in this edition,” said Ms Kamal. “This accomplishment serves as a strong motivation to continue delivering solutions capable of competing regionally and globally.”
Ms Al Mahoozi added: “Participating in this pitch has added tremendous value. Benefiting from the feedback of mentors and judges allows us to explore new growth opportunities in the local and regional markets.”
Beyond the winners, the event showcased two other high-potential startups.
Selano: An integrated online platform that streamlines event planning by allowing users to book all services in one place while helping providers manage their businesses.
Katkoot: A sustainable toy subscription platform offering curated catalogs and eco-friendly rentals that adapt to children’s changing developmental needs.
The event aligns with Tamkeen’s 2026 strategic priorities, which focus on high-impact sectors and connecting Bahraini talent with market opportunities. By fostering an environment where innovation can be pitched directly to seasoned investors, the programme aims to stimulate private sector growth and enhance the kingdom’s competitiveness.
Officials noted that the series is a critical component of Bahrain’s broader vision to inspire innovation among the youth and reinforce entrepreneurship as a cornerstone of the national economy.
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