Sensational times in Bahrain on the movement towards the energy of entrepreneurs where the top brains from around the world convene at the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) 2024. This historic event, suffused with the colors of the outside world, enjoys the high patron corporation of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. And guess what? Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Finance and National Economy Minister, was also present to see all the excitement.
Feryal Abdullah Nass, the dynamo and visionary behind the Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organization (BEO), shed light on the significance of this forum to the Bahrain News Agency, and her excitement was infectious. It’s the first time the forum is hitting Bahrain—and not just Bahrain, but the entire Arab world! The forum is the product of teamwork between the BEO and the office of the WBAF, and as a result a new entrepreneurial spark is emerging in the area.
So, what’s the big idea here, you ask? Just think of a place where entrepreneurial, angel investor and the toppers of the innovative companies in the world all touch each other and unlock the punch bowl of investment ideas. It’s all about constructing bridges, bringing together local enterprises with those plinth companies abroad, and weaving a web of collaboration and partnerships. In particular it is a wonderful opportunity for the next generation of entrepreneurs to Bahrain to grab the eye of the international Investors who are keen to bring the idea to life.
Nass proudly shared that the forum has drawn in a bustling crowd from every nook of the planet—over 400 eager participants from 42 different countries have showed up. The next big day, tomorrow, 60 startups will showcase their proposals in a very large global audience with a view to prize angel investors to invest in unicorns. Fingers crossed for them as they make their pitch from the heart.
The forum is more than just a forum for business discussion, but an important one acting as a puller to attract investments into Bahrain and a platform for innovative startup solutions in the areas of technology, AI, and environmental issues. This aligns beautifully with Bahrain’s economic vision and mirrors the ambitions of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to spotlight Bahrain as the go-to hub for startups and investors in the region. It’s not just about today or tomorrow, but about crafting a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem that powers Bahrain’s growth, propelling it as one of the strongest in the region.
Nass is confident that by hosting the WBAF, Bahrain is not just hosting an event but igniting a movement—one that affirms its strategic position in the entrepreneurial landscape and supports government strategies aimed at future-proofing the local economy. It’s a game-changer, offering Bahrain’s entrepreneurial scene a leg up, reinforcing the country’s commitment to innovative growth and localized economic prowess.
This forum marks an advance step for big dreams of Bahrain, where Nass and BEO advocate for the momentum of change with determination and heart. Since the forum is a forum and a platform, it is expected to alter the scenario for doing business and making investments in Bahrain and, naturally, it will be a great legacy for tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and investors. What a time to be part of Bahrain’s dynamic growth narrative, all promise of even more exciting stories in the pipeline!
Therefore, stay tuned for all the WBAF 2024 updates, as well as the potential for more promising entrepreneurial futures in Bahrain. Here’s to dreaming, to working together, and to a future lit by Bahrain’s brand of innovation. Cheers to new beginnings and boundless possibilities!
