The delegation from Bahrain includes representatives of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organization (BEO), Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Tamkeen, Tenmou and UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain. In addition, 6 startups from Bahrain will pitch to global investors at the Congress.
Tamkeen is the Bahrain government’s SME agency which was formed to contribute to the development and strengthening of the private sector, paving the way for Bahrain’s ongoing diversification to a technology-driven knowledge-based, globally competitive and sustainable economy. Tamkeen will be represented at the World Congress by Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi, Chief Executive. The Tamkeen delegation also includes the Chief of Planning and Monitoring at Bahrain’s Labour Fund who is also the Chief Economist of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB).
11 board members and affiliates of the Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organization (BEO) — a pioneering platform that recognizes youth and women’s contributions in each individual business vertical and provides them with a unique opportunity to hone their skills and to network with other like-minded individuals — are joining the WBAF World Congress under the leadership of Feryal Nass, founder and chairwoman of the BEO. The BEO is sponsoring 3 startups of Bahrain to pitch on the Global Fundraising Stage of the World Congress.
The mandate of the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain is to mobilize resources (financial, technological, know-how, managerial), not only in Bahrain and the Arab region but in developing countries and economies in transition elsewhere as well. UNIDO will be represented by Dr Hashim S. Hussein, Head of the UNIDO office.
The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) will be represented by Sonya Janahi, BCCI Board Member. The BCCI strives to contribute significantly to the implementation of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. WBAF and BCCI signed an MOU during the Arab Businessmen and Investors Conference last November.
Three winners of the 2019 Arab Entrepreneurship Rally will also be pitching on the Global Fundraising Stage. The Arab Entrepreneurship Rally is a startup competition supported by BCCI and UNIDO. Finals were held at the Arab Businessmen and Investors Conference, and 3 winners (one each from Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia) were invited to pitch to global investors at the WBAF World Congress.
Tenmou, Bahrain’s biggest angel investment group, will be represented by Nawaf Mohamed Alkoheji , CEO. To date, Tenmou has invested in 25 startups.
Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi, Chief Executive, Tamkeen
Feryal Nass, Founder & Chairwoman, Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organisation (BEO)
Dr Hashim S. Hussein, Head of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization – Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO-ITPO)
Dr Jarmo Kotilaine, Chief of Planning and Monitoring at Bahrain’s Labour Fund & Chief Economist of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)
Nawaf Mohamed Alkoheji , Chief Executive Officer, Tenmou
Sonya Janahi, Board Member, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI)
The theme of this year’s WBAF Congress is ‘Connecting Private Equity Funds with Angel Investors to Ease Access to Second and Further Rounds of Investment’. Joining the Congress are more than 1,000 angel investors, VCs, private equity fund managers, stock exchange executives, representatives of investment agencies, chamber of commerce representatives, bank executives, policymakers, co-investment fund managers, executives of global business angel networks and VCs. Global startups will be featured on the Global Fundraising Stage on 18 February 2020. At the World Excellence Awards, the Congress will salute the outstanding successes of 2019.
About the World Business Angels Investment Forum
An affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is an international organisation aiming to ease access to finance for businesses from startup to scaleup, with the ultimate goal of generating more jobs and more social justice worldwide. It is committed to collaborating globally to empower world economic development by creating innovative financial instruments for innovators, startups, and SMEs. The Forum interacts with leaders in all areas of society, first and foremost in business and political spheres, to help assess needs and establish goals, bearing in mind that the public interest is of paramount importance. WBAF engages a wide range of institutions, both public and private, local and international, commercial and academic to help shape the global agenda.
About GPFI
The Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) is an inclusive platform for all G20 countries, interested non-G20 countries, and relevant stakeholders to carry forward work on financial inclusion, including implementation of the G20 Financial Inclusion Action Plan endorsed at the G20 Summit in Seoul. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is the Honorary Patron of the GPFI.
