Latest news with #startupgrowth
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
General Assembly Bahrain and Spring Venture Services announce strategic partnership
General Assembly (GA) Bahrain, a pioneer in tech education and career transformation, and Spring Venture Services , a key enabler of startup growth and ecosystem development in the region, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This strategic partnership aims to create a robust pipeline of skilled tech talent for Bahrain's startup scene and foster innovation across the Kingdom. The collaboration will leverage the distinct strengths of both entities to provide comprehensive support for individuals pursuing technology careers and for startups seeking qualified professionals to fuel their growth. While this MoU formalizes the commitment, General Assembly Bahrain and Spring Venture Services have a proven track record of successful collaboration. Spring Venture Services has hired talented graduates from GA's programs, recognizing their industry-readiness and impact. Furthermore, the two organizations have jointly developed initiatives such as a specialized career fair connecting GA graduates with Spring Venture Services' Riyada Business Accelerator Program startup founders, directly addressing their talent needs. This event underscores the commitment to ongoing collaboration through workshops, career fairs, and other strategic initiatives. In addition to talent placement, GA will provide its diverse suite of training programs to Spring Venture Services-affiliated startups and professionals. These programs include immersive bootcamps and career development apprenticeship in key technologies such as Machine Learning, Java and Python, designed to equip the workforce with cutting-edge skills and accelerate career advancement. Ahlam Oun, Bahrain Director at General Assembly, stated:"We are incredibly excited to formalize our partnership with Spring Venture Services. This MoU solidifies our shared commitment to nurturing Bahrain's tech talent and empowering the next generation of innovators. We've already seen the positive impact of our collaboration, with SpringVS recognizing the caliber of GA graduates. Together, we will create even more pathways for skilled individuals to thrive in Bahrain's dynamic tech ecosystem and for startups to access the talent they need to succeed." Zainab Khamis, Managing Director of Spring Venture Services, commented:"At Spring Venture Services, our mission is to empower startups and elevate the entire Bahraini entrepreneurial ecosystem. Access to top-tier talent is critical for this mission. Our prior experiences with General Assembly graduates have been exceptionally positive; they bring the practical skills and forward-thinking mindset that our partner startups value. This MoU with General Assembly Bahrain is a natural progression, allowing us to more systematically connect innovative companies with a pipeline of well-trained, job-ready professionals, further fueling growth and innovation in the Kingdom." This collaboration represents a shared commitment to positioning Bahrain as a leading hub for technology and entrepreneurship in the region, fueled by a highly skilled local workforce. By developing and retaining top tech talent, this partnership will directly contribute to the diversification of Bahrain's economy and the achievement of the key objectives of Bahrain Vision 2030. About General Assembly: General Assembly Bahrain plays a crucial role in enhancing the tech skills of Bahrainis. Offering courses in software engineering, UX design, and data analytics, General Assembly Bahrain aligns its curriculum with market trends. Notably, General Assembly Bahrain has achieved a significant positive outcomes rate for its graduates, including employment, freelancing and entrepreneurial opportunities, underscoring its commitment to bridging the digital skills gap in the Kingdom. About Spring Venture Services: Spring Venture Services is a dynamic force in the MENA startup ecosystem, dedicated to enriching the local and regional entrepreneurial landscape. As a strategic partner of Salica Investments, Spring Venture Services empowers startups through tailored accelerator programs, strategic mentorship, and hands-on support designed to help ventures grow and scale. With a mission to foster innovation, nurture talent, and build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, Spring Venture Services continues to play a key role in driving the success stories of high-impact startups across the Middle East and North Africa.
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SBWC and Sheraa concludes the ‘Business Readiness Bootcamp' unlocking women's entrepreneurial potential
The five-day intensive bootcamp programme focused on practical business skills. It covered legal frameworks, marketing, financial management, and pitching techniques. Participants receive expert mentorship and hands-on workshops. The programme supports women to build strong networks and gives access to ongoing support. Mariam Bin Al Sheikh: The partnership with Sheraa embodies a shared vision to empower women entrepreneurs and enhance their participation in Sharjah's thriving startup ecosystem Abeer AlAmeeri: The programme strengthens Sharjah's position as a global hub for inclusive entrepreneurship, ensuring that women founders have the platform and resources to thrive Sharjah, The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) have successfully concluded the Business Readiness Bootcamp, a collaborative initiative designed to accelerate the growth of women-led startups and foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah. Held over five intensive days, the bootcamp brought together aspiring and early-stage female entrepreneurs for a practical and immersive programme covering essential areas of business development. Participants engaged in hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions focused on legal frameworks, marketing strategy, financial planning, fundraising, and pitching—culminating in one-on-one pitch rehearsals with seasoned mentors. Shared vision to empower women entrepreneurs Commenting on the announcement of the bootcamp, Mariam Bin Al Sheikh, Director of SBWC, said, 'Our partnership with Sheraa embodies a shared vision to empower women entrepreneurs and enhance their participation in Sharjah's thriving startup ecosystem. The bootcamp provided a launchpad for women to enhance their role as influential leaders, driving innovation and sustainable development across the UAE. By providing essential knowledge and real-world skills, we offered tailored support to female entrepreneurs, enabling them to turn their ideas into impactful ventures that contribute to economic growth.' Sharjah – A global hub for inclusive entrepreneurship Abeer AlAmeeri, Head of Partnership and programs at Sheraa, highlighted the strategic role Sheraa plays in nurturing women-led startups, saying, 'At Sheraa, we believe in unlocking human potential to drive positive change across society. Our mission is to nurture visionary entrepreneurs by providing them with tailored support, mentorship, as well as access to our diverse ecosystem, helping them transform ideas into impactful ventures. This initiative and partnership with SBWC also strengthens Sharjah's position as a global hub for inclusive entrepreneurship, ensuring that women founders have the platform and resources to thrive.' Providing comprehensive skills and development The five-day intensive bootcamp addressed the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs by providing comprehensive training that spans critical aspects of business development. Guided by experts in their respective fields, the curriculum thoughtfully covered core modules including legal and licensing frameworks, marketing and branding strategies, financial management and fundraising. The course also highlighted effective strategies for pitch development and storytelling. The legal and licensing module ensured participants are well-versed in the foundational legalities of running a business and provided a better understanding of company structures, intellectual property rights, contracts, as well as compliance requirements. The marketing module focused on crafting cohesive strategies, creating compelling content, and mastering digital platforms to effectively reach target audiences. Financial workshops unlocked skills and confidence when it comes to budgeting, cash flow management, and investor engagement, equipping entrepreneurs with the tools to secure funding and manage resources prudently. The bootcamp culminated in personalised one-on-one pitch rehearsals with seasoned mentors, where participants refine their storytelling and presentation skills to confidently communicate their business ideas to potential investors and stakeholders. Supporting female-led startups on every step of their journey Beyond the bootcamp itself, graduates will also become part of Sheraa's thriving entrepreneurship community, which offers ongoing support tailored to their evolving needs. This ever-growing network directly connects entrepreneurs with industry experts, investors, and fellow founders, creating an enabling environment that facilitates knowledge exchange, collaboration, and sustainable business growth. By integrating participants into this ecosystem, the programme ensures that women continue to receive guidance and opportunities long after the bootcamp concludes, supporting their ventures at every stage of development. On the macro-scale, the Business Readiness Bootcamp aligns with the UAE's broader vision and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) building upon a culture that champions diversity and inclusion. Through collaborative efforts like this, SBWC and Sheraa are proactively strengthening Sharjah's entrepreneurial landscape while positioning female-led startups as key drivers of the emirate's sustainable economic future.
TechCrunch
08-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Clay authorizes employee tender at a $1.5B valuation led by Sequoia
It took seven years of hard work for Kareem Amin, co-founder and CEO of sales automation startup Clay, to see the company's product finally take off in 2022. Since then, the startup has experienced explosive growth, reached a valuation exceeding a billion dollars, and expanded its employee count from low double digits to over 200. Despite the team's average short tenure at the company, Amin made a rare decision: Clay is allowing employees who have at least a year of tenure to sell some of their shares at a relatively high share price to one of its existing investors, Sequoia. It's a win for everyone. The employee tender offer values the company at $1.5 billion, up from the $1.25 billion it secured in its Series B funding in January. Sequoia, an investor in Clay since its 2019 Series A, has agreed to purchase up to $20 million in employee stock. Startup employees often trade lower pay for a bet on the company's future, Amin told TechCrunch. 'Most of the startups don't work out, but Clay is working out, and so we wanted to make sure that they have the option of liquidity.' According to Amin, both current employees and former employees are eligible to sell a specific portion of their equity, typically equivalent to about one year's salary. Alfred Lin, a partner at Sequoia, sees Amin's and co-founder Varun Anand's decision to offer company-wide participation in the startup's financial success as another sign of Clay's uniqueness. 'Clay is a very creative place,' Lin said. The startup's technology helps salespeople and marketers find the right data and automate their go-to-market strategy with AI. Clay's tools are used by thousands of customers, who range from large companies like OpenAI, HubSpot, and Canva, to over 100 small consulting agencies that help other businesses use Clay for their go-to-market efforts. The company hasn't taken its loyal community of customers for granted. In February, Clay gave the option to its direct users to participate in its growth by allowing its community members around the world to invest in the startup at the same valuation offered to its Series B investors. Clay raised about $3 million in a community round so its customers could directly share in its growth, Amin said. Techcrunch event Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | BOOK NOW Amin views the tender offer and the community round as a demonstration for Clay's employees and direct customers that building the company is a collective effort: a way, as he put it, to ensure 'the gains don't just accumulate to a few people.' While the tender will help current and former employees cash out some of their shares, allowing them a degree of financial freedom, Amin and Anand don't plan to sell any of their shares in the offering. For Sequoia, the tender is an opportunity to increase its stake in Clay, reflecting the firm's confidence in the company's potential. However, Lin believes that many Clay employees won't be too eager to sell a lot of their stock now because they expect their shares to be worth much more in the future. 'There is probably going to be less than $20 million in demand, which is sad for Sequoia because we'd like to buy more.' And if employees don't sell some of their shares now, there will likely be another opportunity in the future. Amin said Clay is growing so quickly that he would like to launch tender offers annually. Amin hopes the company's tender will set a trend, inspiring other startups to offer employee liquidity as well.
