Bahrain’s Labour Fund “Tamkeen” and Salica Investments have announced that applications are now open until September 30 for the third cohort of the Riyada Business Accelerator Program. Designed for early-stage tech startups with Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) or pre-launch products, the program supports founders in growing, scaling, and attracting investment.
Aligned with Tamkeen’s 2025 strategic priorities, the accelerator aims to enhance the competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector by fostering enterprise growth, digitization, sustainability, and ecosystem development. The six-month program provides entrepreneurs with hands-on mentorship, practical support for building competitive products, and expert assistance with financial and commercialization strategies. Focused on achieving product-market fit and strengthening teams, the program also offers valuable investor connections and funding opportunities.
The success of previous cohorts underscores Riyada’s growing impact on Bahrain’s startup ecosystem. Marwa Aleskafi, Director of Workforce, Enterprise and Startup Enablement at Tamkeen, praised the outstanding performance of Bahraini entrepreneurs in past editions and encouraged new applicants to seize this opportunity to enhance creativity and innovation across sectors.
Noor Alderazi, founder of Tamam and participant in Riyada, shared, “The program has been transformative for our startup, providing tailored guidance, mentorship, and investor access that shaped our growth journey. I urge entrepreneurs to leverage Tamkeen’s programs to gain the tools and networks needed to advance their businesses.”
The program culminates in a Demo Day, offering founders exposure to investors aligned with their sector and growth stage.
Eligible startups must hold a valid Commercial Registration (CR), have at least one Bahraini founder, and present a unique tech-based idea with strong potential for scalability locally, regionally, and internationally.
