Manama, Bahrain – Standard Chartered Bahrain, in collaboration with Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB), has announced the launch of the sixth cohort of its “SC Women in Tech” incubation programme, set to begin on April 22, 2025. This marks the sixth anniversary of the programme, which supports female entrepreneurs in Bahrain.
The initiative, which was created in partnership with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), the Labour Fund “Tamkeen,” the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO Bahrain), and Innovate for Bahrain (I4BH), aims to empower women-led businesses in the region.
The announcement was made during a ceremony attended by notable dignitaries, including Dr. Boutros Klink, CEO of Standard Chartered Bahrain; Ms. Afnan Rashid Al-Zayani, Board Member of the Supreme Council for Women; Ms. Suzy Al Zeerah, Chief Operating Officer of Bahrain FinTech Bay; Ms. Maryam Rahimi, Associate Director at Tamkeen; and Mr. Ameer Abu Baker, National Investment Promotion Expert at UNIDO ITPO Bahrain.
The “Women in Tech Bahrain” Incubation Program provides valuable support to female entrepreneurs in Bahrain, helping them grow and thrive. Since its inception, the programme has mentored over 50 local startups, with 19 of them receiving a total of USD 305,000 in prize money.
This year’s programme will assist 10 women-led businesses in an intensive eight-week incubation period. Participants will have access to workshops, industry experts, and an alumni community to help refine their business strategies and capitalize on current market opportunities.
The winners of the programme will be awarded prize money, with first place receiving USD 35,000, second place receiving USD 25,000, and third place receiving USD 15,000. Additionally, all winning teams will enjoy a 3-month residency at Bahrain FinTech Bay.
The event also marked the announcement of a strategic collaboration between QuickDine, a startup from the fifth edition of the programme, and Payment International Enterprise (PIE), a leading Bahrain-based fintech company. This partnership will enhance QuickDine’s operational efficiency by integrating advanced payment solutions, offering customers secure and diverse payment methods.
