Nasser bin Hamad foundation launches Start Up initiative

Young Bahraini entrepreneurs have today been extended a helping hand to overcome challenges and difficulties.
An initiative has been launched today to help Bahraini youngsters overcome the obstacles curbing them and turn their projects into successful businesses which contribute to boosting the national economy.
The "Intilaqa" (Start Up) development initiative is the brainchild of the Nasser bin Hamad Foundation.
It aims at supporting the ideas and projects of Bahraini youth and guide the owners of startup projects on the path of progress and success, defeating the challenges and obstacles they may encounter.
A package of specialized programmes will be launched under the new initiative, including participation in funding the start up projects to help their owners achieve sustainability and independence.
The initiative will first give the priority to encouraging innovative and promising ideas and inventions in a bid to elicit and encourage Bahraini youngsters to enter the scientific and technical sectors.
The scheme will then target specific sectors, which include information technology (IT), telecommunications, e-Commerce, tourism and leisure, retail commerce, media and light industries.
The "Intilaqa" initiative will provide financial, legal and moral support to all innovative projects and inventions, taking into account specific rules and regulations.
His Majesty’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Head of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport and Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa expressed his delight at inaugurating the start up initiative.
He stressed the importance of the scheme in celebrating pioneering practices and revealing success stories achieved by Bahraini youngsters, in addition to fostering their innovative and entrepreneurship spirit.
In statement today, he hailed the initiative as reflecting the keenness of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa on developing and supporting individual and corporate efforts, revitalizing the national economy and promoting Bahraini society.
He underscored the importance of disseminating the culture of entrepreneurship, building competences and honing youth skills which would lead eventually to the development of knowledge-based economy.