Angel investors summit gave startups huge opps: BDB CEO

The MENA Angel Investors Summit 2019 has opened up tremendous opportunities for startups, SMEs, and investors here “to connect and learn from each other’s experiences,” said BDB Group Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Paul. BDB Group Chief Executivesaid the summit was “another example of continued collaboration in our eco-system”.

Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) Group was the event partner of the summit organised by Tenmou – Bahrain’s first Business Angels Company. The Angel Investors summit, part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), aimed at providing a platform to empower and connect local and regional startups with investors across the MENA region.

The event introduced 29 of the best startups from Bahrain and the MENA region innovating in various industries ranging from health-tech and fin-tech to education and logistics. BDB has 19.9 per cent shares in Tenmou. “I believe that BDB is more than just a bank. We are the only institution in the Kingdom that caters for startups and Small and Medium Enterprises, through their life cycle,” added Paul.

The main topics discussed were: Introduction to being a Business Angel, Investors Education, Forming a Business Angels Network, Outlook and cultural insight from local Business Angels and Opportunities to fund start-up companies. The programme also featured a pitch presentation from Tenmou funded companies and a pitch presentation from high-potential MENA Entrepreneurs looking for funding.

Bahrain Business Incubator Company’s Chairman and Managing Director Shaikh Hesham bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and BDB’s Head of Investment Division Isa Ahmed Al Doseri were also present.