NBB Innovation Programme 2025 Concludes with Winning Team Announced

The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has announced the conclusion of the NBB Innovation Programme 2025, a three-week accelerator launched in partnership with Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB). Designed to empower early-stage Bahraini fintech talent and accelerate innovation in the digital banking sector, the programme culminated with the announcement of the winning team following a high-impact Demo Day.

Launched during FinTech Forward 2025, the initiative brought together aspiring fintech entrepreneurs to develop scalable AI-driven banking solutions aligned with Bahrain’s progressive financial services industry. Over three intensive weeks, participants advanced through a structured journey that combined startup mentorship, regulatory insight, and technical training. The programme aimed to equip the youth with the skills, exposure, and support necessary to transform their early-stage ideas into real-world applications.

The accelerator concluded with a Demo Day, where shortlisted teams pitched their solutions to a panel of judges representing the banking and fintech domains. One team was selected as the winner following a rigorous evaluation based on innovation, the use of artificial intelligence, market potential, execution capability, scalability, and overall impact.

The winning team was awarded a USD 10,000 cash prize and a three-month incubation period at Bahrain FinTech Bay, where they will receive additional support to refine and enhance their solution. They will also be engaged in potential partnership discussions with the Bank to explore the implementation of their solution within real banking environments.

Delivered across three focused tracks, the programme addressed the technical and strategic dimensions of fintech innovation. Led by experienced entrepreneurs, the Fintech Founders Track focused on startup execution, scaling strategies, and growth planning. The NBB Track placed participants under the mentorship of banking professionals, exploring regulatory frameworks, bank–fintech collaboration models, and innovation within financial institutions.

Meanwhile, the BFB Track, facilitated by Bahrain FinTech Bay, delivered workshops on business model validation, investor readiness, and the use of AI-powered tools.

The NBB Innovation Programme 2025 reflected a shared vision between NBB and Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB) to cultivate a sustainable, innovation-led fintech ecosystem in Bahrain. It created opportunities for collaboration between startups, institutions, and ecosystem enablers; encouraged the development of customer-centric digital banking solutions; and empowered young entrepreneurs with access to funding, mentorship, and real-world application pathways. 

Both organisations remain committed to nurturing Bahrain’s digital economy by investing in initiatives that turn local innovation into lasting impact.