Microsoft, CH9 to fuel growth in SME sector

Manama : Microsoft has announced a new partnership with Bahrain’s CH9, a start-up accelerator that takes an active role in the development of the kingdom’s SME sector.

Sherif Tawfik, Country General Manager, Microsoft Bahrain and Oman and Dr. Nazar Albaharna, Founder & Chairman of CH9 signed a memorandum of understanding to this end.

The partnership is aimed at developing Bahrain’s software-economy vision through empowerment schemes for technology start-ups. Co-operation between Microsoft and CH9 will also provide cloud platforms to enable the growth of the kingdom’s SME sector.

As part of its agreement with CH9, Microsoft will co-opt the business accelerator to work with the Microsoft Academic Programs in Bahrain.

CH9 will become an official Microsoft BizSpark Network Partner. BizSpark is a Microsoft initiative aimed at businesses that are within their first five years of operations. Benefits to start-ups include mentorship sessions, best-practice advice and free software.

Under the MoU, CH9 will create a special incubation award for the winner of the Microsoft Bahrain Imagine Cup. The Imagine Cup is a worldwide annual competition held by Microsoft to encourage entrepreneurial spirit among college students.

“SMEs are the lifeblood of Gulf economies and regional incubator and accelerator units, like CH9, play a vital role in nurturing that potential – finding funding and helping start-ups build the momentum needed for long-term success,” said Sherif Tawfik, Country General Manager, Microsoft Bahrain and Oman.

“CH9 was formed to help business flourish and to promote Bahrain as a start-up hub,” said Mohamed Altawash, founder and managing director, CH9.

From left, Sherif Tawfik, Country General Manager, Microsoft Bahrain and Oman and Dr. Nazar Albaharna, Founder & Chairman of CH9 exchanging MoU documents.