Bahrain has announced a new program that will support the 100 Arab startups shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa in the Dead Sea, Jordan.

The program will allow startups to scale up their companies access a broader area of support in Bahrain. The programme will include:

• Access to the Bahraini market

• Fast-tracking of applications to establish a presence in Bahrain

• The creation of a special 100 Arab startups concierge service to help startups navigate and benefit from the local Bahraini startup ecosystem.

• Opportunities to pitch and access funding from Bahrain’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, as well as the VC partners of Al Waha Fund of Funds and family offices in the Kingdom

“The 100 Arab startups shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution is a great initiative and we need to collectively ensure it not just an annual celebration but a constant source of support to our most promising companies – so they can go on to become world-beaters,” said H.E. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board. “These companies will define our futures and we want to open up the opportunities Bahrain offers with a special set of incentives that offers the most comprehensive support possible. With this programme, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, we really are offering the very best to the very best.”

A selection committee has been appointed to select the 100 startups in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Bahrain Economic Development Board:

• Abdulrahman Tarabzouni, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Saudi Technology Ventures (STV)

• Ahmed El Alfi, Founder and Chairman, Sawari Ventures

• Amir Farha, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Beco Capital

• Areije Al Shakar, Director and Fund Manager, Al Waha Venture Capital Fund; Senior Vice-President, Bahrain Development Bank

• Hala Fadel, Founder and Managing Partner, Leap Ventures

• Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner, Wamda Capital

Mirek Dusek, Deputy Head of the Centre for Geopolitical and Regional Affairs, Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum