Startup Bahrain builds bridges
This year, 130,000 startups applied to pitch at the 11th Startup Turkey Conference. Out of the applicants, 100 startups from 65 countries were selected to be present and pitch at the event. After the final pitches, the jury members evaluated the presentations and chose four winning startups, which are:
Ali Huda is a video on-demand platform, named Millions of Muslims, for Muslim parents who struggle to provide wholesome entertainment for their children who don't compromise Islamic values.
TemanBisnes uses a range of technologies to provide financial management solutions to companies.
Wayakit gets rid of cloth stains and unpleasant smells for people on the go.
Dine & Pay enables customers to pay their restaurant bill securely without waiting for a waiter or attendant.
As you can understand from the winners, Startup Turkey has really became a regional power. This year it had two international sponsors: Estonia and Startup Bahrain.
I had the opportunity to meet the delegation from Bahrain, and I can say that they are really looking forward to cooperating with Turkish startups. They are very keen on learning about the startup ecosystem in this country.
Ahead of Startup Turkey in Istanbul, Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) announced a fast track setup process for Turkish startups that will allow them access to and benefit from the startup ecosystem in Bahrain. The fast track setup process will enable Turkish startups to enter Bahrain and the broader GCC markets.
The fast track setup process will be delivered through a dedicated concierge service that will include:
A fast-tracked entry process which will cover residency, visa requirements and business registration
Access to grants and financial support from Bahrain based ecosystem agencies
Guidance to benefit from the incubators and accelerators in Bahrain
Additionally, the Bahrain-based accelerators and incubators and co-working spaces will offer access to their programs and networks for the Turkish startup community, to help firms build the connections they need to grow and expand.
Ms. Pakiza Abdulrahman, Manager of Business Development - Startups at Bahrain EDB says that living in Bahrain is around 30 percent cheaper than the rest of the region. She also says that Bahrain is a fast-growing and highly-connected regional pro-startups hub with easy access to neighboring countries including Saudi Arabia, the biggest market in the region. Bahrain offers an excellent location and supportive startup ecosystem to enable technology startups to test, innovate and scale quickly.
I urge Turkish startups to explore this opportunity.
