Latest news with #BahrainFinTechBay
Gulf Insider
30-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Bader Sater, FinTech Bay: Dives into MENA Innovation Academy
Bader Sater, CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay, is convinced that talent is the key to unlocking the region's next wave of digital growth. In this interview, Sater talks to us about the MENA Innovation Academy, an initiative that, along with a host of other strategies, is cultivating future-ready leaders equipped to shape the fintech landscape from the ground up. Now in its third edition, Business Leaders in the Middle East brings together sharp insights from across the region. These aren't mere interviews; they're windows into how leadership is evolving in a world shaped by rapid digital transformation. Technology touches nearly every industry now, and these leaders show us how to navigate change with purpose. The MENA Innovation Academy was born out of a need we could not ignore. As the region accelerates its digital transformation, we saw a clear gap in access to world-class, practical fintech and innovation education tailored to our context. Governments are investing heavily in digital infrastructure, regulators are adapting at pace, and private sector players are on the run to stay competitive. But there has been a missing link: the talent that bridges vision with execution. That's where the MENA Innovation Academy comes into play. The academy is an initiative powered by Bahrain FinTech Bay in partnership with Reboot01. Our goal is to cultivate the next wave of fintech talent, up skill our region's professionals not just with theory, but with global-calibre, hands-on learning that is aligned with the MENA region's economic goals. We partner with world-renowned universities such as Georgetown University, UC Berkeley, etc, to provide participants with quality education that can help them lead transformation within their sectors, and equip the ecosystem to scale in a way that is sustainable and regionally grounded. The MENA Innovation Academy's courses target decision-makers, rising leaders, and technical professionals who are actively navigating change and need to stay ahead of it. These are people who are already making an impact, but want to deepen their expertise and align with international standards. The structure of our programs is modular, high-level, and in partnership with some of the leading global organisations and universities to ensure high-quality quality effective training and education. We are not offering generic certificates or passive learning.T he Academy is outcome-driven; every course is developed through a unique collaboration between top-tier institutions and industry stakeholders here in the region. That means our learners gain insights that are academically sound but also grounded in real-world challenges, particularly in fintech, AI, cybersecurity, and innovation strategy. What sets us apart is that we understand the cultural and regulatory context of the MENA region, and we have built a learning model that keeps that in consideration. BFB has always operated with a broader vision in mind; we are here as an ecosystem builder. Bringing the full spectrum of market participants together. With initiatives like the MENA Innovation Academy, which is an initiative between Bahrain FintechBay and Reboot Coding Institute, this allows us to address a long-standing gap in high-level up skilling and position Bahrain as a regional anchor for fintech and tech-forward learning. By partnering with organisations, universities, and private sector players, we are creating a pipeline of future-ready leaders who understand both global dynamics and regional intricacies. From the very beginning, we anchored BFB in three main roles: agility, collaboration, and were interested in building deep partnerships with our regulator, the Central Bank of Bahrain, working closely with the Economic Development Board(EDB), and supporting other financial institutions in Bahrain. This approach allowed us to align with government priorities and created open channels for global and local fintechs to co-exist and attract foreign direct investment in Bahrain. We focused on building trust and delivering impact through partnerships and acceleration programs, education and training, research, and comprehensive ecosystem support. That long game is what positioned BFB as a leading fintech hub in the region. The pace of change in fintech and innovation is continuous, so what we focus on is creating a culture that adapts quickly to these changes. I personally rely on three things: staying deeply connected to the ecosystem, seeking diverse perspectives, and always planning for the long term while being agile in the short term. I don't believe in reacting but rather being ready and proactive. This kind of mindset helps us absorb change and not be disrupted by it. Bahrain has already proven that geographical size does not limit ambition. In the next five years, I see Bahrain doubling down on its role in the fintech space, a place where we continue progressing in regulations, attracting foreign direct investments, and nurturing talent. I can also see more strategic cross-border partnerships come into place. We are uniquely positioned through our strategic location, which makes us a gateway to the GCC with a pro-business ecosystem and strong regulatory infrastructure. More Insights
Daily Tribune
02-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Standard Chartered, Bahrain FinTech Bay select 10 female-led startups
Standard Chartered, in partnership with Bahrain FinTech Bay, has announced the selection of ten promising female-led startups to join the sixth cohort of the Futuremakers Women in Tech Bahrain programme. The programme is part of Standard Chartered's global Futuremakers Women in Tech Initiative, and is supported by strategic partners including Tamkeen, the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO Bahrain) and Innovate for Bahrain. The programme is designed to equip Bahraini women with the tools, networks, and knowledge to accelerate their ventures and contribute to a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Following a competitive application and evaluation process, ten founders were selected based on the strength of their ideas, the potential for market traction, and alignment with innovation and technology enablement goals. The selection event was held at Innovate for Bahrain in the presence of Afnan Al Zayani, Member of the Supreme Council for Women; Bader Sater, CEO, Bahrain FinTech Bay; Noora Al Nusuf, Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand & Marketing, Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar, Standard Chartered; Faisal Alahmed, Senior Officer - Enterprise Programmes, Programmes Partnership Development, Tamkeen; and Ameer Hassan Abubakr, National Investment Promotion Expert, UNIDO ITPO Bahrain. The selected startups span a wide range of industries, including agritech, information technology, e-learning, fintech, marketing automation, and healthtech, among other sectors. The selected ten startups are: Tamam Technology, Information Technology; Engine, FinTech; TellSaleem, HealthTech; Wajba, Marketplace, Food & Beverage; Nabni, Architecture, Real Estate, and Industrial Engineering; AGRI AI, AgriTech; Voxa, Remote Education, Learning, Training; Sadeed Technology, Retail Technology, SAAS; Goodies, Food & Beverage Marketplace and Planway, Event management. Over the next eight weeks, these female entrepreneurs will undergo a curated acceleration journey featuring expert-led workshops, one-onone mentorship, and pitch development sessions. The programme will also connect wthem with ecosystem leaders and past alumni, fostering a strong network of support and collaboration. The programme will conclude with a Demo Day, where participants will pitch their ventures to a judging panel, and three winners will be selected to receive financial awards and 3 months' access to a co-working space.
Biz Bahrain
02-07-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Standard Chartered and Bahrain FinTech Bay Select Ten Female-Led Startups for the Sixth Cohort of Futuremakers Women in Tech Programme
Standard Chartered, in partnership with Bahrain FinTech Bay, has announced the selection of ten promising female-led startups to join the sixth cohort of the Futuremakers Women in Tech Bahrain programme. This initiative continues to serve as a launchpad for women entrepreneurs driving innovation and impact across key sectors in the Kingdom. The programme is part of Standard Chartered's global Futuremakers Women in Tech Initiative, and is supported by strategic partners including Tamkeen, the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO Bahrain) and Innovate for Bahrain. The programme is designed to equip Bahraini women with the tools, networks, and knowledge to accelerate their ventures and contribute to a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Following a competitive application and evaluation process, ten founders were selected based on the strength of their ideas, the potential for market traction, and alignment with innovation and technology enablement goals. The selection event was held at Innovate for Bahrain in the presence of Afnan Al Zayani, Member of the Supreme Council for Women; Bader Sater, CEO, Bahrain FinTech Bay; Noora Al Nusuf, Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand & Marketing, Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar, Standard Chartered; Faisal Alahmed, Senior Officer – Enterprise Programmes, Programmes Partnership Development, Tamkeen; and Ameer Hassan Abubakr, National Investment Promotion Expert, UNIDO ITPO Bahrain. The selected startups span a wide range of industries, including agritech, information technology, e-learning, fintech, marketing automation, and healthtech, among other sectors. The selected ten startups are: Tamam Technology, Information Technology; Engine, FinTech; TellSaleem, HealthTech; Wajba, Marketplace, Food & Beverage; Nabni, Architecture, Real Estate, and Industrial Engineering; AGRI AI, AgriTech; Voxa, Remote Education, Learning, Training; Sadeed Technology, Retail Technology, SAAS; Goodies, Food & Beverage Marketplace and Planway, Event management. Over the next eight weeks, these female entrepreneurs will undergo a curated acceleration journey featuring expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and pitch development sessions. The programme will also connect them with ecosystem leaders and past alumni, fostering a strong network of support and collaboration. The programme will conclude with a Demo Day, where participants will pitch their ventures to a judging panel, and three winners will be selected to receive financial awards and 3 months' access to a co-working space. The Futuremakers Women in Tech programme reflects the continued commitment to contributing to supporting the potential of Bahraini women in tech. To date, the Women in Tech Bahrain programme has supported over 51 female founders and awarded more than $310,000 in funding since it launched in 2020.
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Standard Chartered and Bahrain FinTech Bay select ten female-led startups for the sixth cohort of Futuremakers Women in Tech Programme
Manama, Bahrain – Standard Chartered, in partnership with Bahrain FinTech Bay, has announced the selection of ten promising female-led startups to join the sixth cohort of the Futuremakers Women in Tech Bahrain programme. This initiative continues to serve as a launchpad for women entrepreneurs driving innovation and impact across key sectors in the Kingdom. The programme is part of Standard Chartered's global Futuremakers Women in Tech Initiative, and is supported by strategic partners including Tamkeen, the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO Bahrain) and Innovate for Bahrain. The programme is designed to equip Bahraini women with the tools, networks, and knowledge to accelerate their ventures and contribute to a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Following a competitive application and evaluation process, ten founders were selected based on the strength of their ideas, the potential for market traction, and alignment with innovation and technology enablement goals. The selection event was held at Innovate for Bahrain in the presence of Afnan Al Zayani, Member of the Supreme Council for Women; Bader Sater, CEO, Bahrain FinTech Bay; Noora Al Nusuf, Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand & Marketing, Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar, Standard Chartered; Faisal Alahmed, Senior Officer - Enterprise Programmes, Programmes Partnership Development, Tamkeen; and Ameer Hassan Abubakr, National Investment Promotion Expert, UNIDO ITPO Bahrain. The selected startups span a wide range of industries, including agritech, information technology, e-learning, fintech, marketing automation, and healthtech, among other sectors. The selected ten startups are: Tamam Technology, Information Technology; Engine, FinTech; TellSaleem, HealthTech; Wajba, Marketplace, Food & Beverage; Nabni, Architecture, Real Estate, and Industrial Engineering; AGRI AI, AgriTech; Voxa, Remote Education, Learning, Training; Sadeed Technology, Retail Technology, SAAS; Goodies, Food & Beverage Marketplace and Planway, Event management. Over the next eight weeks, these female entrepreneurs will undergo a curated acceleration journey featuring expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and pitch development sessions. The programme will also connect them with ecosystem leaders and past alumni, fostering a strong network of support and collaboration. The programme will conclude with a Demo Day, where participants will pitch their ventures to a judging panel, and three winners will be selected to receive financial awards and 3 months' access to a co-working space. The Futuremakers Women in Tech programme reflects the continued commitment to contributing to supporting the potential of Bahraini women in tech. To date, the Women in Tech Bahrain programme has supported over 51 female founders and awarded more than $310,000 in funding since it launched in 2020. About Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. About Women in Tech Bahrain In collaboration with Bahrain FinTech Bay, Standard Chartered Bahrain introduces SC Women In Tech, a pioneering initiative tailored exclusively for women. This groundbreaking programmeme seeks to empower women not only in workplaces and society but also in the realms of digital startup ventures and innovation. Through this initiative, the Bank pledges to provide vital support and resources to women in the tech sector, thereby bolstering their contributions to the economy.
Daily Tribune
11-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Standard Chartered Bahrain's Women in Tech programme returns
Standard Chartered Bahrain, in partnership with Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB), announced the sixth cohort of its 'SC Women in Tech' incubation programme in Bahrain, which will officially commence and open for applications on April 22. This marks the sixth anniversary of supporting female entrepreneurs in Bahrain. The programme was launched in collaboration with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), the Labour Fund 'Tamkeen', Supreme Council for Women (SCW), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office, in Bahrain (UNIDO ITPO Bahrain), and Innovate for Bahrain (I4BH). The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Dr. Boutros Klink, Bahrain CEO, Standard Chartered; Afnan Rashid Al-Zayani, Board Member, Supreme Council for Women; Suzy Al Zeerah, Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Fintech Bay; Maryam Rahimi, Associate Director, Enterprise Programs and Partnerships Development at Tamkeen; and Ameer Abu Baker, National Investment Promotion Expert, UNIDO ITPO Bahrain, along with other senior officials and stakeholders. Support female entrepreneurs The Women in Tech Bahrain Incubation Program aims to offer valuable guidance and support to female entrepreneurs in Bahrain, enabling them to expand and prosper. To date, the programme has supported over 50 local startups through mentorship, with 19 startups receiving prize money totaling over USD 305,000. The programme aims to assist 10 businesses led by women through an intensive eight-week incubation period. Winners of the programme will receive prize money, with first-place winners receiving USD 35,000, second-place winners receiving USD 25,000, and third-place winners receiving USD 15,000. Additionally, all winning teams will be granted a 3-month residency at Bahrain FinTech Bay. The event also featured the announcement of a strategic collaboration between QuickDine, a startup that took part in the fifth edition of the Women in Tech Program, and Payment International Enterprise (PIE), a leading Bahrain-based fintech company.
