‘Baims.com’ – an educational online platform – was named the first place winner of the 3rd KIPCO Tmkeen Award for Young Entrepreneurs. ‘Orddr.com’ was awarded second place, while ‘Yahalooh.com’ came third.
The announcement was made on the second day of the 6th Youth Empowerment Symposium, held under the patronage of H.H. the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. KIPCO Board Member, HE Ambassador Abdullah Bishara, recognized the winners.
The award is a collaboration between KIPCO – Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) – and the Youth Empowerment Organization (Tmkeen). The grand prize awarded to the first place winner is US$100,000 in services from the KIPCO Group, including financial, strategic and operational consultation sessions, market analysis studies, insurance coverage and advertising. In addition, this year’s three finalists were also given cash prizes of US$15,000, US$10,000 and US$5,000 respectively.
Baims.com – founded by university students Yousef Alhusaini and Bader Alrasheed – is an online platform connecting students with their professors, allowing the professors to offer their lectures online, and is already amassing a large amount of users from Kuwait University.
Orddr.com – founded by Naser Alqatami, Mohammed Almajadi and Mohammed Alkhazal – is a B2B online platform connecting restaurants and suppliers, aiming to bring transparency, cost efficiency and smoother management to the restaurant industry.
Yahalooh.com – founded by Fahad Almunayes and Fahad Almaten – is an online marketplace where users can rent a wide range of products catered to children’s parties, including inflatable slides and swimming pools.
The three finalists gave presentations to a live audience on the first day of the symposium. The ‘Startup Battle’ judging panel included CEO of Colle Capital – USA, Ms Victoria Grace; CEO of KAMCO, Mr Faisal Sarkhou; and CEO of Boutiqaat.com, Mr Abdulwahab Al Essa.
KIPCO’s Group Communications Director, Ms Eman Al Awadhi, said:
“KIPCO’s commitment to support young people continues to bear fruit every day. Today’s winner is the latest example of a young entrepreneur we believe will make a difference in this country’s future. Kuwait’s young entrepreneurs have reached unprecedented heights and continue to challenge themselves in ways we could not imagine. Ajar Online, the winner of the 1st KIPCO Tmkeen Award, has now expanded the business across the region. Moqawalat.com, our second year winner, has recently secured funding and is getting ready to take the business to the next level. We believe that Baims.com has strong business potential and we look forward to working closely with the founders and team over the next year.There is promise and great potential in the businesses we have seen, and we wish them all success.”
CEO of the Youth Empowerment Organization, Mr Ali Al Ibrahim, added:
“Tmkeen takes prides in its collaboration with KIPCO to organize this award on an annual basis. We would like to congratulate the entrepreneurs who participated in this year’s award, all of whom have shown passion for the work they do, and are committed and dedicated to continue to battle the challenges that they face in order to grow their businesses. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners, KIPCO Group, in encouraging and supporting Kuwait’s youth in creating a better tomorrow.”
KIPCO Group companies – including Burgan Bank, OSN, Gulf Insurance Group, KAMCO Investment Company, United Real Estate, Qurain Petrochemical Industries, United Education, United Networks and Marina FM – are supporters of the KIPCO Tmkeen Award for Young Entrepreneurs.