Latest news with #SamMarchant
Daily Tribune
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahraini startups tackle global business gaps
TDT | Manama Bahraini startups take on global gaps. Startups born in Bahrain are emerging as bold solution-makers for international markets, addressing challenges from small business logistics to travel finance and digital investment platforms. The latest edition of the 'StartUp Bahrain Pitch' competition spotlighted this momentum, with top honours going to homegrown ventures that blend innovation with impact. Backed by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and held in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Bahrain Economic Development Board, and Bahrain Development Bank, the event brought together high-potential founders, seasoned investors, and ecosystem champions under one roof. Tech-first solutions This year's winners reflect Bahrain's sharpened edge in innovation. First-place went to Tammam, an AI-powered app that streamlines order management for small operators in the food, retail, and beauty sectors. Second-place was awarded to BizBay, a digital marketplace that connects buyers, sellers, and investors, simplifies exits and safeguards business continuity through a single platform. Also in the spotlight were Rentat, a proptech platform for rent automation and landlord-tenant management, and Safer, a travel-focused fintech offering a secure 'Buy Now, Pay Later' service for trip bookings. Support drives success The judging panel featured a blend of regional and international voices, including Fatma Sultan Bahwan, CCO of AlJabr MENA; Sam Marchant, Partner at Inaugural; Karim Konsowa, Portfolio Manager at Hub71; and Laith Al-Khalili, Associate Director at Mumtalakat. Speaking on behalf of Tammam, Noor Alderazi said: 'Winning first place is a great honour. StartUp Bahrain Pitch gave us a valuable opportunity to showcase our work on a national platform among experts, investors, and startup ecosystem leaders.' Echoing the sentiment, BizBay's Ali AlSawad added: 'This experience allowed us to connect with the wider startup community and explore new avenues for growth and development.' Building innovation culture The event is part of a broader push to embed innovation deeply within Bahrain's economic fabric, supported by public-private partnerships and platforms like StartUp Bahrain. Organisers say future editions will continue to identify and empower ventures with global relevance and national roots.
Biz Bahrain
28-05-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
StartUp Bahrain Pitch competition announces new winners, celebrating more innovation in Bahrain's startup ecosystem
StartUp Bahrain, the leading platform for startups in the Kingdom of Bahrain supported by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), proudly hosted the most recent edition of the highly anticipated entrepreneurial series, StartUp Bahrain Pitch, highlighting rising founders from Bahrain's dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event was hosted in collaboration with key industry stakeholders—including the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), Bahrain Economic Development Board, and Bahrain Development Bank (BDB). The new edition builds on the remarkable success of the previous ones, which have helped cultivate a strong culture of innovation and creativity within Bahrain's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The recent edition featured a distinguished judging panel of industry experts and seasoned investors, including Fatma Sultan Bahwan, Chief Commercial Officer of AlJabr MENA and keynote speaker of the event, Sam Marchant, Partner at Inaugural, Karim Konsowa, Portfolio Manager at Hub71, and Laith Al-Khalili, Associate Director at Mumtalakat. The event featured a dynamic group of emerging Bahraini startups, including: Tammam, a smart order management app powered by AI that streamlines small-scale operations across food, retail, and beauty sectors; Rentat, a proptech platform that automates rent collection and enhances property management for both landlords and tenants; Safer, a travel-focused fintech solution offering a secure 'Buy Now, Pay Later' service for booking trips with ease and flexibility; and BizBay, a digital marketplace connecting buyers, sellers, and investors, simplifying exit processes and safeguarding investments—all through one unified platform. After a competitive round of pitches, the judging panel thoroughly evaluated the participating founders and their ideas, and announced this year's winning startups, awarding Tammam with first place, and BizBay with second place. Commenting on the occasion, Noor Alderazi, speaking on behalf of the winning team, said: 'We're proud to be part of StartUp Bahrain Pitch, an initiative that champions bold ideas and promising ventures. Winning first place is a great honor, and it gave us a valuable opportunity to showcase our work on a national platform among experts, investors, and startup ecosystem leaders.' Also sharing their thoughts, Ali AlSawad, representing the second-place winner, stated: 'We sincerely thank all the supporting entities and organizations that contributed to the success of this initiative. Being part of this experience offered us a valuable opportunity to connect with the startup community and explore new avenues for growth and development.'
