Zain Bahrain launches first phase of flagship accelerator programme

26/09/2025 03:05 AST

Zain Bahrain, a leading telecommunications and technology industry innovator in the kingdom, has officially launched its flagship startup accelerator programme, Zain Great Idea (ZGI), in Bahrain.

The programme kicked off yesterday (September 24) with the first opening phase, the Boot Camp, which runs until October 9 at Zain Bahrain Tower.

Now in its 15th year, Zain Great Idea has expanded regionally to include Bahrain for the very first time, providing a platform to nurture and empower the next generation of Bahraini tech entrepreneurs, said the statement from Zain Bahrain.

ZGI is an intensive and highly curated accelerator programme with four acceleration phases that focuses on identifying and nurturing local entrepreneurial talent, especially in fast-evolving tech sectors.

Zain Great Idea offers a unique opportunity for ambitious individuals and teams with innovative tech startup ideas, early-stage projects, or functioning startups.

Participants will benefit from expert-led workshops, mentorship sessions with successful founders and industry leaders, and technical training to strengthen business acumen and prepare for investor engagement, it stated.

The program, beginning with its first phase, an intensive Boot Camp, is designed to equip early-stage tech entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and mentorship required to refine their business models and sharpen their entrepreneurial skills.

Over the course of two weeks, participants will engage in:

*Expert-led workshops covering entrepreneurship fundamentals, innovation strategies, and product development.
*Mentorship sessions with successful founders and industry leaders.
*Technical training to strengthen business acumen and prepare for investor engagement.

On the launch of Phase One, Abdulla Khaled Al Khalifa, Zain Bahrain Chief Communication, and Investor Relations, said: "Today marks a significant milestone for Zain Bahrain as we officially launch Zain Great Idea in the Kingdom for the first time, successfully commencing the program's first phase. The Boot Camp is the foundation of Zain Great Idea, and we are proud to see talented Bahraini entrepreneurs embark on this transformative journey."

"As part of Zain Bahrain's commitment to corporate social responsibility, this programme reflects our dedication to nurturing the kingdom's startup ecosystem by providing entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and global exposure they need to take their ideas to the next level. I would also like to wish all participants the very best, and encourage them to seize this opportunity to learn, grow, and elevate their ventures on both a local and global stage," he added.

According to him, ZGI Boot Camp plays a significant role in preparing participants for the next phase of the programme - Super Tuesday, where startups will present their ideas to a panel of judges.

From there, one finalist startup will be selected to advance and embark on a two-week transformative journey to Silicon Valley, California, where they will gain world-class insights, mentorship, and exposure to leading global entrepreneurship ecosystems, he added.

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