The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

BAHRAIN

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

ABOUTHere at The Startup Monthly, we’ve come across various guides here and there about the startup communities in different countries. But, they’ve been inconsistent, and not all countries are covered.

This guide is by no means meant to be complete and all encompassing. Consider it a starting point if you’re an entrepreneur, investor or researcher.

We plan to update these guides at least annually and welcome any suggestions or additions we should consider adding to the guide. I.e. startups, investors, community resources, etc.

Please email any suggestions or questions to editor@thesocialmediamonthly.com.

Lead Researcher: Christian Arthur Last Updated: June 25, 2016

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

INTRODUCTION1

(1) (2)

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

INTRODUCTION• Government: Constitutional monarchy3

• GDP: $64.8 billion ($50,100 per capita) • Unemployment rate: 4.1% (2014) • Inflation rate: 1.8% • Population below poverty line: N/A

• Main Industries: Oil, tourism, transportation, telecommunications, aluminum production, finance

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

STARTUP SCENE• 2030 Economic Vision declared by government

includes policies dedicated to “capturing emerging [economic] opportunities.”4

• Over past 5 years Bahrain startup scene has grown.5

• New ecosystem of angel investors, universities, government initiatives, and accelerator programs.

• Networking events popping up.

• The Bahrani magazine “Startup MGZN” spotlights regional entrepreneurship. 6

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

MOST PROMISING STARTUPS

Mannai Technological Facilitations W.L.L.

• Telecomm and tech consulting

• Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship 2016 (Best Startup)7

Obai & Hill

• Public relations, design, and marketing

• Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship 2015 (Best Startup)8

• Relocated to Bahrain from UK

Fish Transporter

• First e-commerce company in Bahrain to specialize in fresh fish.

• One of Bahrain’s “Six Hot and Upcoming Startups.”9

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

INVESTORS & INFLUENCERS• Hasan Haider – founder of Tenmou, Bahrain’s first

angel investor network.• Ahmed Sawafir – founder of Startup Bahrain(now

called Startup MGZN)• Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – crown prince of

Bahrain, and Chairman of the Economic Development Board.

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

COVERAGE OF STARTUPS• Startup MGZN – covering innovation and

entrepreneurship in Bahrain and surrounding region.

• Wambda – covering entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North African region.

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

SUMMARY• Bahrain is dependent on its oil industry. Falling

prices have resulting in some economic downturn.3

• Country still reals from political unrest of 2011 “Arab Spring.”5

• Government very supportive of entrepreneurship and innovation.

• An ecosystem of investors, mentors, and innovation networks is rapidly growing.

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

SOURCES• Background Image:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain#/media/File:Manama,_Bahrain_Decembre_2014.jpg

• (1) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PRT_convoy_sets_out_for_Farsi_District_of_Afghanistan_MOD_45147209.jpg

• (2)• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bahrain_map_-_2.

png

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

SOURCES• (3) • The World Factbook: Bahrain. (2016, June 15). Retrieved June 27, 2016, from

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ba.html • (4)• Economic Vision 3030. Rep. Economic Development Board of Bahrain, Oct. 2008. Web. 16

June 2016. <https://issuu.com/economicdevelopmentboard/docs/bahrain_vision_2030>.• (5) • Williamson, Rachel. "Bahrain, Moving towards Startup Success."Wamda. Wamda, 10 Dec.

2015. Web. 27 June 2016. <http://www.wamda.com/2015/12/bahrain-moving-towards-startup-success>.

• (6)• Vakani, Anousha. "Revolutionizing the Digital Scene: StartUp

Bahrain."Destination KSA. N.p., 07 Jan. 2016. Web. 27 June 2016. <http://destinationksa.com/revolutionizing-the-digital-scene-startup-bahrain/>.

Bahrain

The Startup‘s Quickstart Guide To: Afghanistan

SOURCES• (7) • "Congratulations to the 2016 Award Winners." Bahrain Award for

Entrepreneurship. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2016. <http%3A%2F%2Fbahrainae.com%2F>.

• (8)• Staff, Entrepreneur Middle East. "The Bahrain Award For

Entrepreneurship." Entrepreneur. N.p., 22 Apr. 2015. Web. 27 June 2016. <https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/245378>.

• (9)• "The Bahrain Award For Entrepreneurship." 6 HOT & UPCOMING STARTUPS IN

BAHRAIN. Startup MGZN, Apr. 2015. Web. 16 June 2016. <http://startupbahrain.com/features/6-hot-upcoming-startups-in-bahrain/>.

Bahrain