$570K raised through episode 1 of the region’s 1st private-public investment platform & reality show ‘Beban’ season 3

$570K raised through episode 1 of the region’s 1st private-public investment platform & reality show ‘Beban’ season 3

Manama, Bahrain: Entrepreneurship-themed reality television show and the region’s 1st private-public investment platform ‘Beban,’ produced by Hope Ventures, the investment arm of Hope Fund, premiered the first episode of its third season this week on January 3rd, 2024, on the region’s first and biggest video-on-demand platform ‘Shahid’ for free, Bahrain TV, SBC Channel, AlRai TV, and Oman TV.

During the first episode, Saudi business ‘Akwan,’ a platform that creates meaningful products and experiences for early childhood to preserve the Arabic language and heritage, founded by Lujain Abulfaraj, has successfully fundraised USD 270k from 3 private investors Mashael Fairooz, Founder of JEO Capital, Hassan Zainal, Founder & Managing Partner of Arzan VC, and Dr. Khalid Al-Tawil, a Saudi Super Angel Investor and Partner in Select Ventures Dubai.

While LalaBella Events & Flowers, a group of companies in event management and design, bespoke retail services in floristry, chocolates, specialty coffee, and gifting services for corporates and individuals, founded by Nahla AlMahmood, successfully fundraised USD 300k from Hope Ventures and Dr. Khalid Al-Tawil.

The episode witnessed 4 eager entrepreneurs from across the GCC pitch to a panel of investors for the opportunity to seize investment and business opportunities. Investors on the panel comprised avid investors from