Manama : The Kingdom of Bahrain ranked among the Top 5 MENA Ecosystems in Performance, which measures the size and performance of an ecosystem based on the accumulated tech startup value created from exits and funding. Bahrain also secured positions among the Top 10 MENA Ecosystems in AI-Native Cluster, which measures the size and intensity of AI startup activity within the ecosystem, and among the Top 15 MENA Ecosystems in R&D Engine, which measures innovation through research activity.
Alya Al Aali, Deputy Chief Executive of Strategy and Insights at the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), said that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s distinctive advantage lies in its agile startup ecosystem, which enables entrepreneurs to develop and test their ideas within a supportive environment that facilitates expansion into regional markets.
She added that Tamkeen continues its efforts to support entrepreneurs and advance the startup ecosystem through initiatives that stimulate innovation, accelerate business growth, and expand access to financing and emerging technologies, thereby supporting their sustainability and competitiveness at both the local and regional levels.
Samantha Evans, Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at Startup Genome, said that rather than competing on size, Bahrain has focused on precision by building depth in fintech and related technologies where it can lead. She noted that, with Tamkeen anchoring this approach, the ecosystem is demonstrating that targeted investment and clear positioning can outperform broader, less focused strategies.
The report also outlined several factors contributing to Bahrain’s attractiveness as a destination for startups and entrepreneurs. Bahrain offers a highly connected and agile ecosystem, competitive operating costs, and access to regional markets, in addition to a supportive regulatory environment and collaborative public-private sector initiatives that continue to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurial activity in the Kingdom.
Startup Genome, the Global Entrepreneurship Network, and the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) have continued their collaboration to monitor and benchmark Bahrain’s startup ecosystem, while identifying opportunities and growth areas that support the Kingdom’s innovation-driven economic development plans.
The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2026 delivers key insights into the world’s leading innovation ecosystems, highlighting trends, capital flows, and policy approaches shaping entrepreneurial success. Building on last year’s analysis, the report expands its AI-Native factor to include emerging ecosystems, reflecting AI’s growing role in competitive advantage. Backed by over a decade of independent research and a global consortium spanning 65+ countries, it provides a data-rich view of startup activity and investment trends, equipping policymakers, ecosystem leaders, and founders with actionable strategies to drive economic growth.
