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Manama – 12 October 2019: Zain Bahrain, a leading telecommunications provider in the Kingdom, has hosted its second 'Zainnovate' startup event in partnership with Alkeri partners, a Bahrain based startup Foundry and Oqal Angel Investors Network, the first Angel investor community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Zain Headquarters.

Zain Bahrain has officially launched the first phase of 'Zainnovate' initiative earlier this year in May 2019. 'Zainnovate' comes under Zain's contribution towards the startup ecosystem in Bahrain, which is also in line with their corporate sustainability and social responsibility strategy which focuses on three core pillars: Innovation, Thought Leadership and Youth Empowerment.

Zainnovate startup events, target different type of people such as, startup founders who would want to pitch their new business ideas, get funded or to listen to experts advice. Angel investors who hunt for investment opportunities, marketers who come to learn new hacks and analyze the industry and their competitors and business consultants who participate to consult inexperienced founders and teach successful ways of doing business.

The event was attended by Abdulla bin Khaled Al-Khalifa, Zain Bahrain Director of Communications & Investor Relations, Khaled Zainalabedin, Founder and President of Alkeri Partners and Oqal Bahrain Chapter and Jamal A. Al-Hazeem, Chairman of Alkeri Partners and Oqal Bahrain Chapter and their board members.

The event presented Oqal Bahrain's second startup cohort pitch session, which included four leading regional startups. The startups included Okadoc, a leading UAE based Healthtech Company, Dalooni, a leading Bahrain based consumer products referral platform, Mr. Draper, a leading UAE based fashion market place and Areeb, a leading Kuwait based fintech company.

The announcement of Oqal Bahrain Chapter inauguration and their board was proclaimed at 'Zainnovate' startup event also. The Bahrain Chapter will be an extension to Oqal Saudi and will act as a link providing and facilitating cross-border ecosystem benefits. Oqal Bahrain chapter will also aim to encourage awareness and launch mentorship programs to support the growth of Angel investors and startup programs in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Zain Bahrain Director of Communications & Investor Relations said, "Zainnovate startup events are the backbone of the startup ecosystem, where the participants contribute by sharing their experiences, ideas, and obstacles with each other. By attending such meetups, you will open a world of valuable insights, tips, tricks, recommendations, suggestions, and advice from industry experts for yourself."

"Zainnovate initiative was launched to create a strategic platform through partnerships supporting startups in developing an entrepreneurial environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain and providing the necessary support for SME sector projects for them to grow, develop and sustain. It is also a continuation of the efforts made by Zain Bahrain to support Bahrain's vision 2030 as a leading tech and startup hub in the region," added

Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Zain Bahrain Director of Communications & Investor Relations.

Khaled Zainalabedin, Founder and Managing Director of Alkeri Partners said "I would like to thank Zain Bahrain for their continuous support in hosting Oqal events. Through our ongoing events we are aiming to position Oqal Bahrain as a key aggregator and driver that would link Bahrain based startups and entrepreneurs to key Angel investors within Oqal Saudi extensive networks. Oqal Saudi Arabia was established as a network since 2011 and as of date, it hubs over 350 active Angel investors some of which were key investors in the region's leading startups such as Careem, Hunger Station, Depravo, and Fetchr. The Bahrain Chapter will be an extension to Saudi and will act as a link providing and facilitating cross-border ecosystem benefits."

For more information on 'Zainnovate' first phase initiative and Zain Bahrain startup support, please contact Khaled Zainalabedin, Founder and Managing Director of Alkeri Partners on kzain@alkeripartners.com and visit https://www.bh.zain.com/en/csr/zain-bahrain-and-the-community.

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