Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), in partnership with Tamkeen and Brinc MENA, has announced the selection of three Bahraini small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for its Open Innovation Program. The chosen companies—UData, Dyanvate, and Infiniteware—will participate in a six-month accelerator phase aimed at developing technology-driven solutions to operational challenges at Alba.
During the program, the SMEs will receive financial support, mentoring, and technical guidance from Alba and Brinc. Their work will focus on proof-of-concept solutions using technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to address data integration and asset reliability issues within Alba’s operations. UData will address the Data Management Challenge, while Dyanvate and Infiniteware have been selected for the Asset Reliability Challenge.
In the fifth month of the accelerator phase, each SME will present its proof-of-concept to a Steering Committee. One winner per challenge will be chosen for pilot implementation within Alba’s operations. The shortlisted companies will collaborate closely with experts from Brinc MENA and Alba to refine their solutions, with an opportunity for broader deployment if successful.
Ali Al Baqali, CEO of Alba, commented: “Innovation underpins Alba’s operational excellence. Our collaboration with Tamkeen and Brinc MENA enables us to work with Bahraini startups and SMEs to build technology-driven solutions to operational challenges, while promoting entrepreneurship and long-term economic resilience.”
Yasin Aboudaoud, Chief Development Officer and MP at Brinc said: “The selection of these startups reflects the real value the Open Innovation Program offers. By matching Alba’s complex operational challenges with high-potential Bahraini SMEs, we are forging a path toward deeper collaboration and tangible economic impact.”
Brinc MENA led the scouting and evaluation process as Tamkeen’s appointed innovation partner. The process included benchmarks such as having a Bahraini founder, technical competence, readiness for innovation, ability to operate within program governance structures, and responsiveness to corporate needs. Evaluation involved interviews by representatives from Alba, Tamkeen, and Brinc MENA; startups presented their capabilities along with proposed solutions before being scored according to a structured matrix that determined advancement into the accelerator phase.
