Brinc, ‘Internet of Things’ accelerator and one of the most active hardware investors globally, has won the tender from Tamkeen to open the region’s first accelerator program for connected hardware startups.
This month, Brinc MENA launched its first program in Bahrain in partnership with Tamkeen, offering investment, education, mentorship, services, prototyping tools and co-working space to startups from across the Middle East. They are proud to announce that three teams have been accepted for the first cohort:
- Time Control Technologies: a real-time B2B tool to enhance workforce productivity
- Smart Nakheel: solving a major agricultural problem for date palm farmers
- Nabdaa: using IoT innovations to improve the in-store shopping experience
The growing buzz around the Internet of Things is undeniable. Its applications have the potential to change the world around us. From wearables that predict heart attacks to smart cars that eliminate automobile accidents, the impact of a connected community is limitless. Brinc has been at the forefront of this new industry, pioneering the way for startups and early-stage companies to get involved. Paving the bridge to China for manufacturing of smart devices, Brinc has now officially landed in Bahrain joining Tamkeen’s growing portfolio of startup accelerator programs.
Dr. Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi, Chief Executive of Tamkeen, stressed the importance of Tamkeen’s role in supporting the growth of the private sector.
“Today, entrepreneurs in Bahrain enjoy a wide range of business support initiatives that aim to boost their development and success,” said Dr. Janahi.
“As Bahrain is keen on maximizing the potential of growing a robust landscape of entrepreneurship ecosystem, building partnerships with leading initiatives that help economic growth such as accelerator comes at the top priorities of its role. The launch of MENA region’s first IoT accelerator works closely with Tamkeen’s objectives in creating an enhanced platform to support starting businesses and the Bahraini economy”, he added.
From its base in China, Brinc has supported hundreds of founders from around the world and invested in more than 40 startups, with a portfolio that raised over $18M USD in follow-on funding and has products in hundreds of stores around the world.
Yasin Aboudaoud, Chief Development Officer of Brinc and Director of Brinc MENA added,
“Of all the tech accelerators in the region, Brinc is the only one that can support founders with manufacturing of connected hardware. We’re bringing product development knowledge from China to set off a new wave of innovation in Bahrain, creating IoT companies that have the potential to transform the world around us.”
Brinc was established in Hong Kong in 2014 with offices in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Formed by a team of like-minded entrepreneurs, leaders and operators from all over the world, Brinc’s collective founders have experience in technology, startups, crowdfunding, sourcing/logistics, manufacturing, distribution and venture capital. Brinc bridges the gap between software, hardware and services to offer entrepreneurs a supportive roadmap that takes them through the journey from acceleration to distribution.
Applications for Brinc’s next cohort are open now. Hardware founders are encouraged to apply online at https://www.brinc.io/accelerator/. The deadline for applications is 25th July 2018.