The Abraham Accords established after two successful years a bunch of opportunities for growth. However, opportunities stay empty without VCs and investors. Learn more about my personal Top VCs in Bahrain on ‘VonNaftali’: Subscription $29,90/year
What is said on VonNaftali about the VC market of UAE holds also true for the Kingdom of Bahrain: The investor scene in Bahrain is very diverse, has very deep pockets, is generally willing to take risks and rarely set a sector focus: investments are made from high-tech to real estate development under one roof.
The boundaries between VC, investor houses, incubators and ecosystem/hubs are very fluid. Many companies map several segments here, even countries like the “Ecohubchain” for the MENA region ‘Flat6Labs‘.
As a first step, it is advisable in Bahrain to find out more about the legal framework on the Bank of Bahrain portal, which also highlights some special features of Bahrain, such as that the financial sector is the largest employer of the country.
About 80% of the total workforce is working in the financial sector. Seen from this background Bahrain is very eager to establish Bahrainian start-ups and to push the private sector:
“Bahrain is home to more than 400 licensed financial institutions, representing a rich mix of international, regional, and local names. They cover the full range of financial services, with particular concentrations in wholesale banking, insurance, and funds/asset management.
The financial sector is now the most important sector of the economy, accounting for more than 27% of Gross Domestic Product. The Financial Sector is also the largest single employer in Bahrain, with Bahrainis representing over 80% of the workforce.
The sector is regulated and supervised by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) , which has functioned as the single regulator for the entire financial system since 2002.
Bahrain’s banking system consists of both Conventional and Islamic Banks , and is the largest component of the financial system, accounting for over 85% of the total financial assets.”, explains ‘Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Portal‘
You will look in vain for an actual overview and rankings as you are used to from other ecosystems such as London or New York. That’s why it can only be a subjective foray on the one hand based on my own (digital) expertise and on the other hand a foray into other specialist media and blogs.
Of course the VCs and investors ecosystems are touched by the war in Europea and the constraints caused by covid. However, the VC market stayed robust like Bahrain:
“Bahrain is among the top countries in attracting venture capital worth $52 million last year, an economic report revealed. Venture capital investments in Bahrain increased by 167 per cent last year compared to the previous year, as startup funding in the Middle East rose by 138pc recording $2.5 billion.”, explains the daily ‘Zawya‘
You will look in vain for an actual overview and rankings as you are used to from other ecosystems such as London or New York. That’s why it can only be a subjective foray on the one hand based on my own (digital) expertise and on the other hand a foray into other specialist media and blogs.
On this basis, a kind of quintessence was drawn. The focus was on VCs and investment houses that focus on start-ups. As final remark before I jump into the list: It is not a ranking like the name “TOP VCs” might suggest, but a selection of 10 VCs and investment houses that I personally consider as important. So, no warrant is given. Here, we go.
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