Entrepreneurship-themed reality television show and the region’s 1st private-public investment platform ‘Beban,’ produced by Hope Ventures, the investment arm of Hope Fund, aired the second episode of its third season this week on January10th, 2024, on the region’s first and biggest video-on-demand platform ‘Shahid’ for free, Bahrain TV, SBC Channel, AlRai TV, and Oman TV.
During the second episode, Saudi-based company ‘Seavo,’ which specializes in sustainable marine mobility, with its core offerings including Orca, an eco-friendly electric watercraft; a robust Fleet Management System aimed at optimizing commercial marine, founded by Aly Mohamed, has successfully fundraised USD 150k from Saudi private investor Basel AlAbdulkarim, Founder & CEO We Energy Group.
While Achar It, a business that produces homemade Bahraini-flavored relishes and pickled sauces that are made with organic and natural materials without the use of food preservatives, founded by Ameena Abdulrahman, successfully fundraised USD 60k from Hope Ventures and Dr. Khalid Al-Tawil, a Partner at Select Ventures Dubai and a Super Angel Investor from Saudi Arabia.
The episode witnessed 4 eager entrepreneurs from across the GCC pitch to a panel of investors for the opportunity to seize investment and business opportunities. Investors on the panel comprised avid investors from the private sector, including Hope Ventures, Basel AlAbdulkarim, Founder and CEO of We Energy, Suhail Algosaibi, Chairman of Tenmou, and Dr. Khalid AlTawil, a Partner at Select Ventures Dubai and a Super Angel Investor from Saudi Arabia.
Commenting on the occasion, Fajer Saleh Al Pachachi, General Manager of Hope Ventures, the investment arm of Hope Fund and producers of Beban TV show, shared: “We are thrilled to have facilitated and matchmade these investments alongside reputable, strategic investors from across the GCC in promising regional businesses. We established Beban with the primary objective of highlighting the promising entrepreneurs in the region and facilitating co-investment opportunities for them alongside the private sector. Today, Beban is the region’s 1st private-public investment platform, and we aim to continue bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and investors who can strategically accelerate their growth into new markets.”
Beban season 3 was filmed in the Middle East’s newest exhibition and convention centre, Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), and showcases 41 businesses from across the MENA region as they pitch in front of a panel of regional, reputable investors for equity investment and strategic business development opportunities that can accelerate the growth of these businesses into new markets.
On her part, Dr. Debbie Kristiansen, General Manager of Exhibition World Bahrain, shared: “We are proud to sign this strategic partnership with the Middle East’s first-of-its-kind investment platform, and to support in paving the way for Bahraini-led projects to grow and expand through creating a supportive investment environment in collaboration with our partners. This partnership reflects the huge potential of EWB’s state-of-the-art facilities that can be utilised by the community and for the community. Enabling innovation and nurturing talents as an active contributor to the progress of our local community are key priorities for us. We are committed to our role in supporting national initiatives that foster entrepreneurship and creativity. Through Beban, a platform that offers investment opportunities for Bahraini and GCC innovators, EWB extends this support to the wider regional community.”
It is noteworthy to mention that Beban TV show is the region’s 1st private-public investment platform through its formed partnerships with Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (UAE), the SME Development Authority (Oman), GFH Capital (KSA), Zain Kuwait and Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (Kuwait), and the Labour Fund Tamkeen (Bahrain).
A new episode of Beban will air every Wednesday of this month. You can watch the next episode airing on January 17, 2024, on Bahrain TV at 6 PM (+3GMT), Oman TV Cultural at 9:10 PM (+3GMT), AlRai TV at 9:30 PM (+3GMT), SBC Channel at 10 PM (+3GMT), or anytime on Shahid.
Beban Season 3 recognizes its Country Partners, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (UAE), the SME Development Authority (Oman), GFH Capital (KSA), Zain Kuwait and Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (Kuwait), and the Labour Fund Tamkeen (Bahrain) and sponsors, Gulf Air, Asia Jewellers, Ahlan App, AlZayani Motors, Exhibition World Bahrain, Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain, TRACCS Bahrain, Bapco energies, and Gulf Media International for their affirmed commitment to empowering regional entrepreneurs and accelerating their growth through investment, knowledge, and access to business opportunities.
To stay up to date with Beban, make sure you follow the show’s accounts on social media @bebanme.
