Startup MGZN, Bahrain’s award-winning digital publication and community for startups, held its 20th #StartupEvenings private gathering with HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal as its honorary guest speaker. Prince Khaled, the founder of KBW Ventures and of KBW Investments, is a technology enthusiast, investor, and an avid promoter of entrepreneurship in the MENA region and further afield.
The event, themed to promote the entrepreneurial spirit within the Bahraini startup community, was staged at Zain Bahrain headquarters. The invitation-only event was attended by more than 50 of StartUp Bahrain’s community members and members of the wider business community, together with representatives from Tamkeen Bahrain, Zain Bahrain, the Bahrain Economic Development Board, and Bahrain Development Bank.
During the event moderated by Startup MGZN co-founder Bader Kamal and entrepreneur Sinan Khatib, Prince Khaled shared his thoughts on what he looks for when investing in teams and startups, advancing coding in the MENA region, technology’s role in sustainable food and food security, and the entrepreneurial ecosystems in the GCC in comparison to his extensive experience in Silicon Valley.
“Entrepreneurship, as the building blocks of the private sector, is integral to economic growth and an open and active commercial marketplace. Every startup that hits profitability is one more step forward for everyone,” said Prince Khaled, remarking on his participation in the event. “We’ve made great progress in a few short years and for the trajectory to continue, we’re all responsible for contributing to the success of new ventures however we can.”
Startup Evenings is an informal get together for startups and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, and share moments of inspiration by recounting failures and success.