- Zainnovate helps create an entrepreneurial environment in the Kingdom by providing the necessary support for the SME sector
- The startups highlighted during the session were Doctori, Springring, and Unipal,
Manama: Zain Bahrain, a leading telecommunications provider in the Kingdom virtually hosted the 4th edition of ‘Zainnovate’ in partnership with Alkeri Partners, a Bahrain based startup foundry and Oqal Angel Investors Network, the first Angel investor community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Launched in 2019, Zainnovate initiative is a strategic platform through which Zain and its partner’s – Alkeri & Oqal support startups by helping them grow, develop and sustain in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The session was addressed by Mr. Jamal A. Al-Hazeem, Chairman of Alkeri Partners and Oqal Bahrain Chapter and Mr. Khaled Zainalabedin, Managing Partner of Alkeri Partners and Founder and President of Oqal Bahrain Chapter. During the first session, the guest speaker Mr. Samer Ibrahim Kurdi, Chairman of Al Sunbulah Group (KSA), spoke in depth about ‘The Benefits of Angel Investing and the Impact of Angel Investments on GCC Economies’ which was followed by a Q & A session.
The second session presented Oqal Bahrain’s startup cohort pitch sessions, which included three leading startups in the education and healthcare sectors from the Kingdom of Bahrain. The startups included Doctori, a Bahrain-based healthtech app that connects patients to expert doctors and healthcare professionals worldwide; Springring, a single platform that combines multiple forms of communication for educational institutions; and Unipal, an online platform dedicated to enhancing the student lifestyle by providing students with access to discounts and offers using a unique digital student ID.
Commenting on the successful hosting of Zainnovate, Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalid AlKhalifa, Director, Communications & Investor Relations at Zain Bahrain said, “We continue to support Bahrain's Vision 2030 as a leading tech and startup hub in the region and did not want this year’s Zainnovate to be hindered due to the COVID-19 situation. Hence, we along with our partners decided to host the meetup virtually as we feel that start-ups have continued to play a critical role in Bahrain’s economy even during these tough times. Most existing start-ups face significant challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis and have become even more financially fragile. Zainnovate is one such platform which will provide necessary support for SME sector projects in order for them to grow and develop. It will also ensure business integrity and sustainability.”
Speaking on the occasion, Khaled Zainalabedin, Managing Partner of Alkeri Partners and Founder and President of Oqal Bahrain Chapter, said, “These times are unprecedented. However, we believe in investing in the most exceptional minds that are building companies that will redefine the future. Without doubt, COVID-19 has served to accelerate the inexorable trend of digitization which we believe has ample of opportunity. We'd like to recognize some of the tech startups in Bahrain who using their technology to ensure the health and safety of our communities, have developed unique solutions and have focused on sustainability. We are also thankful to Zain Bahrain for their continuous support in hosting the 4th edition of Zainnovate and for developing an entrepreneurial environment in the Kingdom.”
Zainnovate targets different type of people such as, startup founders who would want to pitch their new business ideas, get funded or want to listen to experts. Zain’s contribution towards the startup ecosystem in Bahrain is in line with their corporate sustainability and social responsibility strategy which focuses on three core pillars: Innovation, Thought Leadership and Youth Empowerment.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Karen Paes
Gulf Marcom W.L.L
karen@gulfmarcom.com
© Press Release 2020
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
