Held during the “Made in GCC 2026” Forum and Exhibition .. 4 Startups Showcase Innovative Solutions at “StartUp GCC” with “Miralac” and “Early Riser “Crowned Winners

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem across the Gulf region and support the growth and expansion of startups operating in the manufacturing sector, the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the “StartUp GCC” event, a joint initiative by the Labour Fund “Tamkeen” and the SME Development Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The event was held on the sidelines of the “Made in GCC 2026” Forum and Exhibition, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain from 6th – 8th October, Under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa . The event brought together a group of startups from across the GCC to present their ventures and innovative solutions before a judging panel comprising experts, investors, and specialists in entrepreneurship and investment.

It aimed to provide a regional platform for GCC startups operating in the industrial sector to showcase their ventures and innovative solutions, while connecting with investors, experts, and private-sector representatives from across the region. The event also provided an opportunity to explore potential areas of collaboration and develop innovative solutions that contribute to shaping the future of the GCC industrial sector.

It also featured the participation of several startups from across the Gulf region which were nominated by their respective countries to participate. Participating companies are: Early Riser from the Kingdom of Bahrain, Miralac from the United Arab Emirates, Muscat Forge from the Sultanate of Oman, and Enavra from Qatar. The participating startups presented their business models, solutions, and future growth and expansion plans.

There was also a distinguished judging panel comprising experts, investors, and specialists in entrepreneurship and the industrial sector. The panel included Mr. Basel Al Abdulkarim, Regional Director of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) for the Middle East, Pakistan and Africa (MEPA) and CEO of WE ENERGY; Mr. Ali Al Majthoob, Partner at MEVP; and Mr. Mohammed Al Aali, Managing Director of United Enterprises.

The judging panel evaluated the participating ventures based on a range of criteria, including innovation, the scalability of the business model, market opportunity, the anticipated impact of the proposed solutions, and the companies’ ability to grow their businesses and expand into new markets.

Following the presentations and the judging panel’s evaluation, the winning companies were announced, with “Miralac” from the United Arab Emirates securing first place, while “Early Riser” from the Kingdom of Bahrain was awarded second place.

“StartUp GCC” contributes to highlighting the promising potential of GCC startups and their role in developing innovative solutions that enhance the competitiveness of the industrial sector. It also provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and build new partnerships between entrepreneurs, investors, and supporting enterprises, thereby strengthening integration among entrepreneurship ecosystems across the GCC and opening new avenues for participating startups to grow and expand regionally.

Tamkeen’s support comes in line with its strategic priorities for 2026, which focus on supporting initiatives with high economic impact, enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector, connecting skills with the needs of the labor market, and adopting innovative approaches to stimulate the growth and expansion of startups, contributing to the Kingdom’s sustainable economic development.