‘Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship’ deadline fixed as Dec 31  

The deadline for registration and nomination of Bahraini companies interested to take part in the second edition of ‘Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship’ has been fixed as December 31, the organising committee of the award has announced.

The award is being given under the patronage of Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Economic Development Board HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Speaking on the award, Faisal Sultan, Project Manager of the Awards event, said: “The deadline for submission of registrations and nominations is imminent. We urge all Bahraini companies to participate in this extraordinary venture and seize this rare opportunity to win valuable incentives and prizes that will definitely propel their businesses to new levels of growth and place them on spotlight as the next generation of Bahraini entrepreneurs is all set to make unique contributions to the Kingdom.”

A financial support package ranging from BD20,000 to BD50,000 awaits the winners, with provisions for growth programmes and business mentoring in alliance with the award’s strategic partners such as the Economic Development Board, the Bahrain Development Bank and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with knowledge advisers led by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Tourism, EY Bahrain and UNIDO AICEI.

The award categories include:  Microenterprise of the Year, Start-up of the Year, SME of the Year, Sustainable Business Award, Enterprise of the Year with International Footprint, Female Entrepreneur of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award, the latter to be granted in honour of entrepreneurs, who have demonstrated an exemplary track record of performance in business. 

The winner of the Micro-Enterprise of the Year award will receive Customised Enterprise Support up to BD20,000 towards the acquisition of machinery and equipment; availing  of consultancy & marketing services, certification & training, BDB Coaching; and participation in UNIDO Entrepreneurship Development Programme.

The Start-up of the Year winner will receive Customised Enterprise Support up to BD40,000 towards the acquisition of machinery and equipment; availing of consultancy and marketing services, certification and training, BDB Coaching; space in the Agriculture Growth Accelerator;  plus support in development of a growth plan through UNIDO AICEI.

The Prize for the SME of the Year winner includes Customised Enterprise Support up to BD40,000 towards the acquisition of machinery and equipment; availing of consultancy and marketing services, certification and training, BDB Coaching; plus support in development of a growth plan and investment promotion through UNIDO AICEI. The Enterprise of the Year with International Footprint winner will receive Customised Enterprise Support up to BD50,000 towards the acquisition of machinery and equipment; availing of consultancy and marketing services, certification and training; plus consultancy session on internationalisation.

The winner for Sustainable Business Award will receive Customised Enterprise Support up to BD30,000 towards the acquisition of machinery and equipment; availing of consultancy and marketing services, certification and training; plus Customised Workshop on Creating Shared Value.

The Female Entrepreneur of the Year winner will receive Customised Enterprise Support up to BD40,000 towards the acquisition of machinery and equipment; availing of consultancy and marketing services, certification and training, BDB Coaching; plus support in development of a growth plan and investment promotion through UNIDO AICEI.

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement award will receive a trophy.

The awards’ eligibility and evaluation criteria, and application forms are available on the website at www.BahrainAE.com, on which enterprises can also apply directly in the ‘Apply Now’ link. More details on the Bahrain Award for Entrepreneurship can be had at www.bahrainae.com or social media channels Twitter, Instagram and Facebook via @bahrainae.