Global Entrepreneurship Week

The “Global Entrepreneurship Week” is an annual event celebrated by more than 170 countries, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders to exchange entrepreneurial experiences and contribute to finding solutions that enrich the entrepreneurial culture and ensure the success and sustainability of business ventures, thereby fostering economic growth. 

GEW 2025 events:

Panel Discussion
Moving Towards Innovation: How Organizations Can Evolve Beyond Incremental Change

Date: Monday November 17th 

Time: 11:00- 11:45 AM

A dynamic panel bringing together companies and startups to explore how organizations can go beyond incremental improvements and embrace true innovation that shapes the future.

Speakers: 

  • Salma Houari (Director, Investcorp Innovation Lab – AUBH)
  • Dr. Jarmo Kotilaine (Advisor – Tamkeen)
  • Khalid Saad (Founder and Managing Partner – Bunat Ventures)

Moderator: 

  • Sahar Albaharna (Founder and CEO – Impactique)

Location: Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF)

Session
Entrepreneurship in the age of AI

Date: Monday November 17th 

Time: 12:15- 1:15 PM

The AI boom has everyone focused on solutions. This session is a practical playbook on how to stand out by focusing on problems. You’ll get strategic frameworks to uncover high-value, unsolved challenges uniquely solvable by AI. This is the blueprint for discovering the next wave of successful startups.

Speaker: 

  • Hamad AlFahad (Executive Director & MP – Tajawoz)

Location: Library at American University of Bahrain

 

Workshop
AI Agents Bootcamp: Build Your First AI Agent in a Day

Date: Monday November 17th 

Time: 2:30- 4:30 PM

An introduction to the fundamentals of AI Agents and their real-world applications in automating business and operational workflows. Discover how this technology is reshaping efficiency and innovation. Note: Laptops will be required by attendees

Speaker: 

  • Ameen AlTajer (CEO – Infiniteware)

Location: Library at American University of Bahrain

Hackathon
Spring Hack

Date: Monday November 17th 

Time: 4:30- 8:00 PM

A fast-paced two-hour hackathon where participants team up to design creative, future-ready solutions that drive digital transformation. Winners will be awarded exciting prizes: First Place Winner | Second Place Winner, recognized for their innovation, impact, and practicality, with prize money to be announced at the event.

Location: Riyada Hub at Wyndham Grand Hotel – Floor 39

Event
Startup Bahrain Pitch: Scaleup Showcase Edition

Date: Tuesday November 18th 

Time: 3:00- 6:00 PM

This edition will feature:

3:00 – 3:45 PM: A panel discussion with leading regional venture capitalists:

  • Luca Barbi (COO, Saudi Technology Venture STV)
  • Karim Abadir (Investing Partner, BECO Capital)
  • Walid Mansour (Co-Founder & Co-CEO, MEVP)
  • Hussain AlQaseer ( Executive Director at Mumtalakat)

4:00 – 4:30 PM: A showcase of Bahrain’s standout scaleups: Eat App, Flooss, Lola, and Remote Apps

4:30 – 5:15 PM: A panel discussion with the founders.

Moderator:

  • Marwa AlEskafi (Tamkeen)

Location: Arcapita

Panel Discussion
Breaking Borders: Your Gateway to the Saudi Market

Date: Tuesday November 18th 

Time: 6:00- 7:00 PM

A practical session for entrepreneurs on entering the Saudi market. Gain insights on market entry strategies, regulatory requirements, and opportunities for growth in one of the region’s most dynamic economies.

Speakers:

  • Abdullah Dhaher (Member – Saudi Leadership Society)
  • Dr. Nawaf Almaskati (Co-Founder and Managing Director – Tanami Capital)
  • Abdulla Sulibeekh (Founder and CEO – Right Calories)
  • Bader Almudaifa(CEO and Co-Founder at KFM Khosh Fkra Media)

Moderator:

  • Christina Andreassen (Director of Programs – Astrolabs)

Location: Arcapita

Investor Summit
Tenmou: MENA Angel Investor Summit 2025

Date: Wednesday November 19th 

Time: 3:00 – 7:00 PM

MENA Angel Investors Summit 2025 is Bahrain’s premier gathering dedicated to angel investing, connecting visionary startups with leading investors, venture capitalists, and ecosystem partners from across the Middle East and beyond.

The Summit will feature keynote addresses, high-level panel discussions, and curated pitching sessions from the most promising early-stage ventures across diverse sectors

Location: The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel

Session
How to Create an Opportunity from "No Opportunity"

Date: Wednesday November 19th 

Time: 5:30-7:30 PM

A powerful discussion on how marketing and brand storytelling play a crucial role in helping startups scale and successfully enter new markets. Learn how to craft stories that inspire, connect, and drive growth.

Speakers: 

  • Hashim Sharaf (Founder and Creative Director – Out Creative Studio)
  • Nehal Eissa (Founder and Managing Director – Out Creative Studio)

Location: Injaz

Session
Building Resilience with AI

Date: Thursday November 20th 

Time: 12:30-1:30 PM

An engaging conversation with Deepesh Trivedi as he shares insights on automation, AI, and the key lessons learned from driving innovation and transformation. A unique opportunity to explore the future of intelligent technologies.

Speaker: 

  • Deepesh Trivedi (CEO of UIB.ai)

Moderator: 

  • Mohammed Buallay (Tamkeen)

Location: HQ Seef

Session
Behind the Raise: A Fund-Raising Journey with Startups

Date: Thursday November 20th 

Time: 3:30-4:15 PM

Founders share firsthand experiences on raising capital, engaging with investors, and scaling their startups after funding. Gain practical insights on navigating the fundraising journey and building momentum for growth.

Speakers: 

  • Ahmed Faraj (Founder and CEO – Lumofy)
  • Salman Almarzooq (Founder and CEO – Travilege)
  • Khalid Sater (CEO and Co-Founder – Saleem)
  • Ali Dhaif (CEO and Founder of Parcel

Moderator:

  • Faisal AlAhmed (Tamkeen)

Location: HQ Seef

Session
Failure Night: Crash.Learn.Rise.

Thursday November 20th 

Time: 5:00-7:00 PM

An open and candid session where founders share stories from ventures that faced challenges and setbacks, showing how failure can become a powerful catalyst for growth. The event will be followed by a panel discussion with invited speakers.

Speakers: 

  • Ali Alalawi (Co-Founder and CEO – Unipal)
  • Ali Mohsen (Co-Founder and CEO – DOO)
  • Eman AlSabah (Founder – Fablemill & Indiesouq)
  • Hussain Haji (Startup Founder and Serial Entrepreneur)
  • Sh. Hessa AlKhalifa (Founder – Curious Diner)

Moderator:

  • Shahd AlZaki (CEO & Creative Director)

Location: HQ Seef