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As 2024 came to an end, we look back on a year filled with inspiring stories from Bahrain’s most driven entrepreneurs. From pivotal breakthroughs to lessons forged through challenges, these 25 founders shared insights that illuminate the heart of entrepreneurship. Here’s what they had to say:

“Clarity and Adaptability Are Non-Negotiable”

For Dr. Amani Alaali of DesignEase, this year was nothing short of “an extreme sport.” Balancing family, teaching, and her startup taught her that “clarity and adaptability are non-negotiable.” Meanwhile, Noor Janahi of The Salad Bar captured the entrepreneurial spirit perfectly: “Challenges are just opportunities in disguise.” Perseverance, as they both show, turns chaos into growth.

Mohammad Abdellaal of Silent Power Renewable Energy added, “I learned that staying focused on the mission is everything. There were moments when things got tough, but by staying committed to creating sustainable solutions, we turned challenges into progress. It’s all about persistence and believing in what you’re building.”

“Challenges Are Opportunities in Disguise”

For many, 2024 was the year of breakthroughs. Salman Almarzooq of Travilege successfully closed a funding round and expanded into Saudi Arabia, showing that agility is key in dynamic markets. Ali Alalawi of Unipal called their expansion into Riyadh “a game changer” that elevated their business into a new league.

Aida Almudaifa of Early Riser secured a transformative investment that turned her family-run business into a leading manufacturing company. Meanwhile, Rami Jamal of Procode celebrated second place at SCB’s Demo Day, solidifying their esports vision with persistence and grit.

Shahad Alzaki of Procode reflected, “Sometimes, success finds you when you least expect it. Opportunities show up when you stay dedicated, believe in your goal, and concentrate on doing your best.”

“Networking Can Open Doors You Didn’t Even Know Existed”

In a world of hurdles, many founders leaned on their communities. Muna Rabieh of A Wonder Within shared, “Networking can open doors you didn’t even know existed.” Yara Ali of Acadamity reminded us of the power of vulnerability: “You’ll be surprised how many people will listen, relate, and support.”

Customer relationships proved invaluable for Yusuf Shehab of PetPal, who reflected, “Good relationships with customers are more important than anything else.” Khalid Sater of TellSaleem echoed this, emphasizing that trust and collaboration are as critical as innovation in any business.

“People Love the Destination but Rarely Appreciate the Road”

Every entrepreneur faces tough days, but those who succeed find ways to rise above. Fedaa Tawfeeq of Mamepod reminded us, “You can never fully anticipate the challenges ahead, but the goal is to embrace the journey.” Mahmood Malik of Lumofy highlighted the beauty of the struggle: “People love the destination, but rarely appreciate the road that leads there.”

Feras Alshowaikh of Grams&Cals showed us the power of persistence “Entrepreneurship is about consistency and belief”, while Faisal Birch of Rizq emphasized focus: “Cutting through the noise and doubling down on what moves the needle can make all the difference.”

Eman AlSabah of IndieSouq shared, “I learned the importance of stopping to enjoy the view. Those small victories—our first investor, our first campaign funded—were the building blocks of everything we were striving for.”

Mohammed Mahdi of Loje Patisserie added, “A business grows by mastering the basics, being exceptional with the basics is what makes you advanced.” This is a mindset shift that really helped me grow the business by being more focused on what matters.”

“Marry the Problem, Not the Solution”

Abdullah Alrayes of Lunchy believes innovation is all about “finding overlooked opportunities and solving problems in new ways.” Salman AlKhalifa of Sellou advised founders to “talk to your users” and keep things simple. Aqeela Allahyari of ArabiQuest distilled it best: “Marry the problem, not the solution. Be ready to pivot.”

Hadil Mansour of Taswiq had a breakthrough: “An MVP—no matter how simple—will teach you more than weeks of pitch coaching. Be wary of startup theater. A polished pitch deck means nothing if you’re not solving a real problem.”

“Entrepreneurship Is Not Just About Vision; It’s About the Team”

Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Haya Jassim of Maiwa found strength through connections, while Ahmed Alekri of MedBuddy turned setbacks into opportunities. Entesar Yusuf of Bayader celebrated the power of building a team, saying, “Entrepreneurship is not just about realizing your vision; it’s about building a team that believes in it.”

As Mohammad Abdellaal of Silent Power Renewable Energy aptly put it, “Persistence and belief in what you’re building are the keys to turning challenges into progress.”

As the stories of Bahrain’s founders show, resilience, creativity, and community are the driving forces behind success. As Feras Alshowaikh aptly put it, “The real challenge is overcoming setbacks and keeping the belief alive.”