We’re happy to announce that our Bahraini startup AlRawi Books has been chosen as the winner of the Pitch@Palace Global 3.0 People’s Choice Award 2018.
Alrawi Books is the brainchild of co-founders Hala Sulaiman, Ameera Al-Qubaiti and Mohamed Ebrahim. Launched in December 2016, the startup aims to create an e-community to convert books into interactive audio books to preserve the Arabic language and increase the readership of Arabic content.
The first Pitch@Palace held in Bahrain took place under the patronage of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain and HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York in partnership with the Labour Fund Tamkeen.
Twelve Bahraini entrepreneurs participated at Pitch@Palace Bahrain, whereby 5 startups made it to the Pitch@Palace GCC. AlRawi Books and OneGCC won the GCC competition which qualified them to the final and global stage of the competition in London.
Launched by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, the Pitch@Palace event has established itself as one of the leading initiatives that promote and encourage the development of entrepreneurship. Pitch@Palace provides entrepreneurs with a platform to develop their budding enterprises through an integrated interactive program providing an extensive network of expertise and support from local and international enterprise specialists.
Tamkeen’s Chief Executive Dr. Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi commenting on Bahrain’s success at this year’s global final said: “We are proud of the success of Bahrain’s entrepreneurs in winning the top prize at this prestige event. Their success is a reflection of the value placed in developing entrepreneurship in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The country has in supporting the start-up business ecosystem and entrepreneurship landscape through key national developmental initiatives.”
He also added that the Pitch@Palace competition offers Bahraini entrepreneurs a great opportunity to networking with decision-makers and international investors. Not only but that, but it also provides them with a unique platform to explore the potential of expansion into international markets.
As part of this year’s Pitch@Palace Global, twenty-three entrepreneurs, from 15 countries around the world pitched their businesses to an influential audience in the economic sector.
The winners of the third edition of the competition included: Logivan, OncoRes Medical, Matibabu, and the People’s Choice AlRawi books.
AlRawi co-founder Hala Sulaiman expressed her deep gratitude to the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain for their continued support and encouragement of Bahraini entrepreneurs.
“The role of “Tamkeen” in supporting Bahraini entrepreneurs in this event as well as through initiatives and schemes offered within its Enterprise Support Program is integral to the successful development of AlRawi,” commented Ms. Sulaiman. “Our involvement at Pitch@Palace, has put Bahrain firmly in the hearts and minds of all AlRawi users and voters. Our involvement has given wider recognition of the vision of AlRawi Books in ensuring access to knowledge and the inclusive and equitable quality education and in promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all,” she adds.
The Dr. Janahi stated that that the Kingdom of Bahrain boasts a strong international presence in events related to key economic development. He also added that next year, Bahrain will be hosting a variety of international events including Pitch@Palace GCC 2.0.
“We are excited that this affirmation of Bahrain’s commitment to the economic enterprise has been also recognized with the Kingdom being chosen host the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, at the United Nations Head Quarters in New York,” concludes Dr. Janahi