StartUp Bahrain continues to identify opportunities that will ease running a startup. Bahrain’s competitive advantage stems from its agile, nimble and fast-moving economy. Its small size and ease of access to key decision-makers mean that companies can raise concerns directly with the people who can address them.
Regulations
One-stop to Bahrain’s regulations that impact the startup ecosystem.
Information
The database helps us build bridges, track growth, identify opportunities & gaps, and nominate you for focus groups, gatherings, competitions, customers, and opportunities all around the world.
Regulations
Your one-stop database for everyone in the ecosystem, from startups to government to incubators to investors.
2016
Minimum Capital Requirement
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism (MoICT) abolished the minimum capital requirements for all types of companies and startups, resulting in lower costs and making it easier to establish and operate your startup in Bahrain.
Sijilat Portal
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism revamped the process of acquiring and managing your Commercial Registration (CR) with Sijilat, but also allows you to access the database of activities available and registered enterprise names.
Foreign Ownership Restrictions
Bahrain typically allows foreign company ownership, including in areas reserved for Bahrainis. The government recently announced plans to permit 100% foreign ownership in sectors like real estate, healthcare, and manufacturing.
2017
Bahrain Investment Market (BIM)
An equity market for startups in Bahrain and the MENA region looking to raise capital to fund their growth. The BIM model and framework aims to financially support businesses and enhance their management practices to meet international standards.
Cloud First Policy
The first of its kind in the region, Bahrain’s Cloud First Policy integrates the cloud with all government agencies, enabling ministries to deliver additional services to users more efficiently while reducing IT system maintenance overhead costs.
Regulatory Sandbox
The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) introduced the Regulatory Sandbox Framework to allow FinTech-based startups from every part of the world to test their inventive concepts in Bahrain with fewer restrictions and lower risks.
Access to Government Procurement
The cabinet issued decision no. 06-2416 which states to allocate 20% of the value of purchase and government tenders for SMEs, and 10% from the service facilities biddings.
Debt & Equity-Based Crowdfunding
Bahrain with the aid of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) is the first and only GCC country that allows for the participation in both conventional and Shari’a-compliant funding, giving your startups alternative sources of funding.
2018
Minority Shareholder Rights
Strengthen corporate governance, offer higher flexibility for investors while adding rights to minority shareholders. Helps decrease the level of violations & disruptions within companies.
Bahrain FinTech Bay
The largest FinTech hub in the MENA region. Bahrain FinTech Bay provides a hub to incubate scalable and impactful FinTech initiatives through innovation labs, acceleration programs, curated activities, educational opportunities, and collaborative platforms.
Al-Waha Fund of Funds
Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) has launched a US$100 million venture capital “fund of funds” that will invest in venture capital companies in Bahrain, offering access to additional capital to support startups in the Kingdom and the Middle East.
Virtual CRs (Sijili)
Sijili is a unique Virtual Commercial Registration (CR) system that takes away the hurdles from aspiring Bahraini entrepreneurs. Introduced to help startups choose and engage in approved commercial activities without a physical address.
Bankruptcy Law
Enables experimentation and innovation and improves outcomes of the bankruptcy process. The law introduces reorganization allowing a company’s management is allowed to remain in place and continue business operations during the administration of a case.
Export Bahrain
Tamkeen launched Export Bahrain to support SMEs and startups expand abroad. Strives to provide an ideal environment to support and develop domestic exports and achieve Bahrain’s 2030 vision of promoting our export-oriented sectors.
2019
Crypto-Asset Regulations
The CBB Crypto-asset regulatory framework deals with rules for licensing, governance, minimum capital, and more for crypto-asset services. CBB’s regulatory framework also covers supervision and enforcement standards, and avoids market manipulation.
Personal Data Protection Law
Guidelines to companies and individuals on how to best handle and process ‘Personal Data’. Put into simpler terms, the law will control how personal information is used by, startups, businesses, organizations or the government.
2020
Convertible Notes
Bahrain has become the first GCC country to permit businesses to raise capital via convertible notes, allowing repayment in equity rather than cash, and to introduce employee share schemes. This amendment to the Bahrain Commercial Companies Law aims to improve Bahrain’s business environment, attract a wider range of capital, and empower growth for startups and SMEs.
2023
Digital Tokens Regulatory Framework
The Central Bank of Bahrain has updated its Crypto-assets regulations, broadening its scope to include “Digital Token Offerings” and enhance investor protections. These changes also permit expanded activities for crypto-asset licensees, reflecting the bank’s commitment to fair regulation and innovation.
Golden Visa
Bahrain has launched a “golden license” offering benefits for large-scale investment projects. This initiative, targeted at companies investing over $50 million or creating over 500 jobs, comes amid regional reforms to attract more talent and investment.
