While Bahrain may be a small island in the Arabian Gulf, it has emerged as top destination for startups and innovations. From fintech to education, multiple startups have taken off, cementing Bahrain’s reputation as an innovative and business-friendly environment.
It’s a tax-free haven, drawing in entrepreneurs and investors from all over the world looking to take advantage of their lack of corporate and personal tax.
Similarly to other nations in the Middle East, Bahrain has spent the last few years moving away from its reliance on oil in order to diversify its economy. Now, they have become a leader in sectors like finance, logistics and tech. By embracing AI and its capabilities, Bahrain has successfully integrated it into multiple industries from customer service to healthcare.
How Is Bahrain Embracing The Growth Of AI?
Bahrain has become a global competitor in AI advancements, leveraging it for decision making, to promote productivity and grow the overall economy.
The government launched two initiatives, Bahrain FinTech Bay and the National AI Strategy with the objective of supporting AI-driven businesses and securing global investments.
Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB) was launched in 2018 as an incubator to assist fintech startups with scaling potential through accelerator programs and networking opportunities. BFB works in collaboration with the government, financial and corporate institutions as well as venture capital firms and startups to drive fintech growth in the region.
On the other hand, the National AI Strategy was implemented to use AI for the benefit of residents, businesses and tourists alike.
Top 10 AI Startups In Bahrain
Since taking major strides in adopting AI processes and advocating for its benefits, here are 10 the most pioneering startups that are using AI to transform Bahrain’s economy.
1. Doo
DOO is a tech company based in Bahrain that has led major AI-innovations in the customer service sector. The company launched Reem, an AI-powered customer service agent that has the ability to communicate in the local Bahraini dialect.
By using Reem, the customer service experience can be significantly improved by offering personalised support that is available 24/7. The personal touch of having Reem communicate locally gives it a more natural feel, with users feeling a sense of familiarity when interacting.
Here, the combination of cutting-edge technology being integrated with Bahrain’s cultural heritage is an incredible example of the nation’s innovation and creativity.
2. FACEKI
FACEKI is an AI-powered identity verification and facial recognition company. Using advanced AI solutions, the company helps other businesses to authenticate their customers’ identities in real-time in an effort to reduce fraud attempts while complying with regulations.
Their platform is designed specifically for industries where security checks are essential and should be seamless, including finance, banking, e-commerce and healthcare.
A few of their features include biometric authentication, automated document verification and liveness detection to make sure that a human is physically present.
3. ARRAY Innovation
ARRAY Innovation is a tech company whose solutions assist businesses with data analysis, customer service and the automation of processes, all powered by AI systems. These solutions support the finance and healthcare sectors, as well as the government, for simplified operations and to help with decision making.
A few of the company’s services include AI chatbots and predictive analytics to assist businesses with maintaining their competitive edge in a digital world that is forever evolving.
4. Fluper
Fluper is a mobile app development company based in Bahrain that create user-friendly apps for businesses in a variety of sectors. With cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain and augmented reality (AR), the company is able to build high-quality apps for both startups and large enterprises.
While available for most industries, they do focus on e-commerce, finance and transportation for the purpose of streamlining operations and improving customer operations.
5. Cayan Holdings
Cayan specialises in digital payment solutions for company transactions to be processed as safely and efficiently as possible. Their smart payment systems are available to retailers, financial institutions and e-commerce platforms to allow customers to pay with cards, online banking and mobile wallets.
With advanced AI, their systems are able to detect potential signs of fraud and monitor transaction patterns in real-time to prevent any unauthorised transactions or hacking.
6. Code Vision IT Solutions
Code Vision IT Solutions is a tech company based in Bahrain that offers software development and IT consulting solutions to businesses. They specifically focus on building custom mobile apps and software along with cloud-based solutions to maximise efficiency.
The company uses AI for smart automation tools and predictive analytics, in addition to AI-powered chatbots. These AI tools can automate repetitive tasks and use virtual assistants to boost customer experience.
7. Aion Digital
Aion Digital is one of Bahrain’s leading fintech company, assisting banks and financial institutions to become fully digital. Their banking solutions allow for customers to seamlessly open up accounts and apply for loans in addition to managing their finances without needing to visit a physical location.
The company leverages AI in several ways, specifically for automating client onboarding and fraud detection. Their AI solutions can also offer personalised financial advice so banks can provide services based on specific customer behaviour and patterns.
8. Doobi
Doobi is a smart laundry and dry-cleaning service that uses AI and tech to make washing clothes much more convenient for customers. Customers aren’t required to visit a physical laundromat. Instead, they can use the Doobi mobile app to schedule pick-ups and deliveries from their home.
The company’s AI-powered systems help to optimise delivery routes, track orders and offer updates to customers in real-time. Their systems can also monitor previous customer histories to offer personalised recommendations like specific fabric care advice.
9. Spire Technologies
Founded in 2020, Spire Technologies specialises in open banking solutions. Their goal is to make financial services more accessible and affordable for both individuals and small to medium size businesses (SMEs).
By using AI-powered systems, they can analyse a vast amount of data to provide personalised advice to customers, monitor any fraudulent activity and improve overall customer engagement. Their services range from open banking compliance and infrastructure to strategic financial management solutions.
10. InfoPie
InfoPie was founded in 2023 and is a digital services provider and IT consulting company. Their services include custom software development, cybersecurity, mobile app development and cloud consulting.
Utilising AI, the company is able to help businesses manage their structured and unstructured data to make more informed decisions while preventing fraudulent activities. They have also integrated AI into their cloud computing services for more sophisticated analytics.