Bahrain's focus on shaping a regional hub for entrepreneurs as part of its ongoing efforts to meet key goals within the Economic Vision 2030 comes under the spotlight next month when it hosts StartUp Bahrain Week, a series of inspirational networking events for entrepreneurs, investors and businesses. Running on March 3–7 March 2019, the fast-emerging regional startup community will be able to enjoy a platform of events to network and learn about the startup ecosystem that has been created by Bahrain thanks to its business-friendly economic and regulatory framework. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said: "StartUp Bahrain Week promises to be a week-long of inspirational events for entrepreneurs and investors that will encourage innovation and growth in the startup ecosystem. Currently, the regulatory climate we have cultivated, in recent years, has provided a solid foundation for the startup community. We look forward to sharing knowledge, great ideas, and most importantly the opportunities available in Bahrain." He further said "we are now seeing our financial services sector transform due to technology and disruptive startups, and we hope to see technology and startups play a role in other sectors as well, such as Manufacturing, taking us forward to the fourth industrial revolution." Dr. Ebrahim Janahi, Chief Executive Officer of Tamkeen, said: "Tamkeen is delighted to once again be a strategic partner of StartUp Bahrain Week. It underlines our commitment to helping promising talent develop the right skills for the knowledge economy. These are skills that we need to encourage and develop within Bahrain and across the region. StartUp Bahrain Week comes just weeks after Tamkeen announced the region's first talent program specifically for the financial services and technology industry focused on training and developing Bahrainis in the FinTech space, one of the fastest growing startup sectors." Organized by the EDB, strategic partner Tamkeen (Bahrain Labor Fund) and in collaboration with the startup community in Bahrain, StartUp Bahrain Week will attract key stakeholders including investors, corporates, accelerators, incubators, educational institutions and government agencies. More than 2,500 delegates are expected to attend the week-long events featuring over 20 speakers and two startup competitions, including: • Unbound Bahrain: The anchor event of StartUp Bahrain Week, the global innovation festival will showcase some of the Middle East and North Africa's most innovative startups and government initiatives. • Unreasonable Thinking Summit: A two-day forum on innovation and disruption designed to educate and inspire the Bahraini business community, especially startup entrepreneurs. • Entrepreneurship Training: Workshops aimed at discussing opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs from idea conception to business plan execution. Bahrain Deep Tech Program: A three-day boot camp with doctoral scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs discussing and showcasing cutting-edge technologies and how to turn their ideas into commercial opportunities. • StartUp Bahrain Ecosystem Tour: An informative exploration of the burgeoning Bahrain startup scene, where participants will meet the key influencers who are driving forward the disruptive technology that is increasingly putting Bahrain on the map as the go-to destination for startups in the region. • Urban Experience: A networking event for the startup community to share ideas and identify potential areas of collaboration and cooperation. • Flat6Labs Bahrain: An opportunity to see startups pitch their inspiring ventures on stage to an audience of investors, government agencies and business leaders that could lead to securing investment and a future commercial deal. — SG
