Visa She’s Next in Bahrain Program Awards Winning Female Entrepreneurs

In a remarkable showcase of innovation and talent, the second edition of the Visa She’s Next in Bahrain program has concluded, recognizing two outstanding female-led startups. The Visa She’s Next in Bahrain Program, launched in October 2024 empowered by Visa, in partnership with Bahrain Islamic Bank, and Innovate for Bahrain, aims to empower women entrepreneurs in the Kingdom by providing funding, mentorship, and training. 

The program attracted over 100 applications this year, from which 16 entrepreneurs were selected to participate in intensive training workshops. Over two weeks, these participants engaged in mentorship sessions and gained access to practical insights from female leaders in Bahrain, as well as valuable tools and educational resources. These include Visa’s Practical Business Skills Program, designed to help them grow and develop their businesses.

The winners were announced during the celebration day attended by esteemed executives and representatives, including Mr. Ali Bailoun, Regional General Manager at Visa; Ms. Fatema Al Alawi, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Bahrain Islamic Bank; Ms. Suzy Al Zeerah, Chief Operating Officer at Bahrain FinTech Bay; Ms. Marwa Al Eskafi, Director of Entrepreneurship, Technology and Strategic Initiatives Programs and Partnership Development at Tamkeen; (Labor Fund) and H.E. Huda Janahi, an award-winning businesswoman.

This year’s competition featured presentations from five exceptional female entrepreneurs, whose ventures span various industries, including Education and Food and Beverage. Their creativity and dedication demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in Bahrain. The program also recognized outstanding finalists who showcased exceptional entrepreneurial vision and innovation. These included Muna Rabieh, Founder of A Wonder Within; Aqeela Abbas, Founder of Arabiquest; and Co-Founders Reem Al Jamea and Samar Eshaq of Campinya.

Haya Al Jassim, Founder of Maiwa, was awarded the Grand Prize of USD 45,000, while Areej Matooq, Founder of Fermendiet, received the People’s Favorite Award of USD 10,000. These winners were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges representing all program partners, highlighting their innovative approaches and impactful business models.

Ali Bailoun, Visa’s Regional General Manager for KSA, Bahrain, and Oman, commented, “At Visa, we believe in the potential of women to drive innovation and economic growth. She’s Next program in Bahrain reflects our commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs by providing the resources, mentorship, and funding they need to thrive. We would like to extend our congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists for their remarkable contributions to Bahrain’s entrepreneurial landscape and look forward to supporting them through this program as they can continue to grow their businesses."

Fatema AlAlawi, Acting CEO of BisB, commented, “It was an honor to participate in this incredible initiative for the second consecutive year, as part of our ongoing efforts to support female entrepreneurs in the Kingdom. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the remarkable winners for their impactful business ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. At BisB, we are dedicated to investing in women-owned businesses, providing them with a platform to thrive within their communities. We remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering women across various fields, contributing to the realization of Bahrain’s Vision 2030 goals.”

Mohamed Al-Subaiee, Director of Innovate for Bahrain, commented “As Innovate for Bahrain, we are immensely proud to facilitate & host the She’s Next program and awards at our new hub in Riyadat Mall. This program highlights the incredible talent and innovation of women entrepreneurs in Bahrain, who are breaking barriers and redefining what it means to innovate and lead in today’s dynamic entrepreneurial challenges. Mabrook to Haya Al Jassim and Areej Matooq on their well-deserved wins, and we are excited to engage all the program applicants and alumni through a series of initiatives planned in 2025 in partnership with Visa”.

The Visa She’s Next in Bahrain program not only seeks to foster the potential of women entrepreneurs but also aims to integrate them into the Kingdom's economic development, paving the way for a more inclusive and vibrant business landscape.