Hope Ventures, the investment arm of Hope Fund, has kicked off the third season of ‘Beban,’ an entrepreneurship-themed reality TV show, and the first-of-its-kind private-public investment platform in the region. The premiere episode aired on January 3rd, 2024, on various platforms, including Bahrain TV, SBC Channel, AlRai TV, Oman TV, and the region’s leading video-on-demand platform, ‘Shahid.’

In the inaugural episode, ‘Akwan,’ a Saudi-based platform founded by Lujain Abulfaraj, successfully raised $270,000 from private investors Mashael Fairooz, Founder of JEO Capital, Hassan Zainal, Founder and Managing Partner of Arzan VC, and Dr. Khalid Al-Tawil, a Saudi Super Angel Investor and Partner in Select Ventures Dubai. Similarly, ‘LalaBella Events & Flowers,’ founded by Nahla AlMahmood, secured $300,000 in funding from Hope Ventures and Dr. Khalid Al-Tawil.

The episode showcased the pitches of four ambitious entrepreneurs from across the GCC to a panel of investors, including representatives from Hope Ventures, JEO Capital, Arzan VC, and Dr. Khalid Al-Tawil.

Bahrain’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has partnered with Beban as the Bahraini Country Partner. Tamkeen’s CEO, Her Excellency Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, expressed enthusiasm, stating that Beban aligns with Tamkeen’s mission of supporting entrepreneurs by providing access to funding and strategic business development opportunities.

Fajer Saleh Al Pachachi, General Manager of Hope Ventures, highlighted the show’s exciting blend of innovation, determination, and excitement, inviting viewers to witness the success stories in the making. Beban TV has formed partnerships with various entities across the GCC, including the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (UAE), SME Development Authority (Oman), GFH Capital (KSA), Zain Kuwait, and Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (Kuwait).

Filmed at Exhibition World Bahrain, Beban Season 3 features 41 businesses from the MENA region, offering a captivating display of entrepreneurship. Each episode, airing every Wednesday, presents entrepreneurs pitching to regional investors for equity investment and strategic business development opportunities.

The show’s Country Partners and sponsors, including Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, SME Development Authority, GFH Capital, Zain Kuwait, Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, and Labour Fund Tamkeen, along with Gulf Air, Asia Jewellers, Ahlan App, AlZayani Motors, Exhibition World Bahrain, Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain, TRACCS Bahrain, Bapco Energies, and Gulf Media International, demonstrate their commitment to empowering regional entrepreneurs and fostering growth through investment, knowledge, and access to business opportunities.