Flat6labs - Bridging The Opportunities Gap For Startups
Bahrain has seen a significant shift in the prominence of techdriven industries over the past few years, with the growth of the Bahrain FinTech ecosystem, the establishment of $100 million Fund of Funds to help fund startups across the Middle East. According to EDB data, the number of startups in the country has grown at a CAGR of about 50 percent over the past three years. With such growing business statistics, Bahrain has become the global hub of entrepreneurship, and a fertile ground in which various startups are being perpetually born, incubated and nurtured until they take off on their own successfully. In this process, Accelerators are playing the most important role while leveraging the opportunity of the growing ecosystem. Flat6Labs is one such startup accelerator program that fosters and invests in bright and passionate entrepreneurs with cutting-edge ideas.The firm is a global hub for digital innovation that aims to support a generation of entrepreneurs from all over the world to launch digital businesses in the Middle East and scale to regional and global markets.
Flat6Labs was established in 2011 with an aim to scale businesses across GCC and North Africa. However, with strong dedication and best offered services, the firm established itself as one of the leading accelerators in the industry in a short span of time. Flat6Labs helps
seed stage and early stage startups to grow by providing seed funding, strategic mentorship, creative workspace, a multitude of perks and entrepreneurship focused business training to them. So far, the firm has completed 21 cycles, helped 220+ entrepreneurs to grow, and created 700+ jobs. Flat6Labs is currently operating out of Cairo, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Bahrain and Tunis with immediate efforts to expand to more locations in the MENA region, where the Bahrain office is the latest addition.
Opportunities in Bahrain
Both the Bahrain and Indian startup & technology ecosystems have started to nurture while opening their arms to the world. The organizations such as Private enterprise focused Tamkeen in collaboration with Flat6Labs are working together in Bahrain to capitalize on the infrastructure of the country and provide a breeding ground for the upcoming startups. The scenario is not much different in India. However, India still lacks a robust infrastructure, which is a major pain point for many Indian tech startups. Bahrain is thus the opportunity for many of the startups who despite the increased ease of doing business, a startup supportive environment and a plethora of government policies, fail to establish and grow in India. “One of the aspects that we have found is the high volume of Indian startups’ application. Another finding is that some of the products are quite relevant to the ME market for which the Indian startups seek to establish their presence in Bahrain and try to scale across the GCC with that particular product. Hence, our aim of establishing Flat6Labs in Bahrain is to serve as a key destination for bringing partners together from across all fields to interact, support and assist in the evolution of startups. Moreover, we are working with Tamkeen & EDB, who are not only supporting our programs, but also helping us to create a dynamic startup ecosystem in Bahrain,” states Ryaan Sharif, Managing Director, Flat6Labs.
Apart from that, Bahrain’s visa policy is enabling residents of India to apply for electronic visas for being able to spend longer periods of time in Bahrain, as part of the Kingdom’s commitment to bilateral ties between the two countries. It is little wonder then that Bahrain is becoming an important partner for India in the Gulf region and Indian technocrats can see extensive potential in the region in the days to come.
We established flat6labs in bahrain is to serve as a key destination for bringing partners together from across all fields
Opportunities in Bahrain
Both the Bahrain and Indian startup & technology ecosystems have started to nurture while opening their arms to the world. The organizations such as Private enterprise focused Tamkeen in collaboration with Flat6Labs are working together in Bahrain to capitalize on the infrastructure of the country and provide a breeding ground for the upcoming startups. The scenario is not much different in India. However, India still lacks a robust infrastructure, which is a major pain point for many Indian tech startups. Bahrain is thus the opportunity for many of the startups who despite the increased ease of doing business, a startup supportive environment and a plethora of government policies, fail to establish and grow in India. “One of the aspects that we have found is the high volume of Indian startups’ application. Another finding is that some of the products are quite relevant to the ME market for which the Indian startups seek to establish their presence in Bahrain and try to scale across the GCC with that particular product. Hence, our aim of establishing Flat6Labs in Bahrain is to serve as a key destination for bringing partners together from across all fields to interact, support and assist in the evolution of startups. Moreover, we are working with Tamkeen & EDB, who are not only supporting our programs, but also helping us to create a dynamic startup ecosystem in Bahrain,” states Ryaan Sharif, Managing Director, Flat6Labs.
Apart from that, Bahrain’s visa policy is enabling residents of India to apply for electronic visas for being able to spend longer periods of time in Bahrain, as part of the Kingdom’s commitment to bilateral ties between the two countries. It is little wonder then that Bahrain is becoming an important partner for India in the Gulf region and Indian technocrats can see extensive potential in the region in the days to come.
