Bahrain’s first Business Angels firm Tenmou has opened registration to SMEs wishing to benefit from the guidance and investment avenues it provides through a tie-up with the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) in the US.

The project aims to grow the SMEs sector in Bahrain and increase its contribution to GDP, in line with the government’s recent economic recovery plan.

Bahraini SMEs may now apply to join this programme by contacting the Tenmou team and following through on registration and acceptance processes, according to Nawaf AlKoheji, CEO of Tenmou. He explained that this programme will be taking 25 startups at the beginning of March and another 25 startups again in August at dividing them into groups of 5 surrounding their sector, either Sports, Retail, Tech, Food, and Beverage or Manufacturing, and pairing them up with a reputable mentor to attend a one-on-one mentorship style programme once a month for three months where they will be given the tools and the direction to take grow their SME.

The mentors to attend the programme include Suzy Kanoo – CEO and president of Khalil bin Ebrahim Kanoo Company and International Motor Trading Agency, and Al Ghalia Group – managing firm of Cafe Lilou, Monsoon and Fatto, Khaled Albalooshi – Founder of K-Labs, Mahmood Abdulsamad Mohamed – Owner, Reps Fitness Studio & Ministry of Youth & Sports, and Ammar Awachi – CEO of TAHA International Industrial Services.

AlKoheji added that the companies accepted in the programme will have the opportunity to be provided with the tools and guidance necessary for their growth, increase productivity, upsurge their competitiveness, and ability to reach their services and products to regional and international markets.

He said that concluding the mentorship aspect of the programme the startups will then be given the opportunity to participate in a pitch night hosted by Tenmou and CIPE where they will pitch to a pool of investors and potentially receive investment.