Start-Up National Central, a Tel Aviv-based nonprofit organization that promotes Israeli innovation around the world, recently introduced 15 Israeli startups to significant business opportunities in Bahrain, with which Israel established diplomatic ties nearly two years ago.

The joint event with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Israel and Bahrain’s Economic Development Board presented the opportunity for the Israeli companies to set up regional R&D centers in Bahrain.

The Gulf country, which offers low operating costs and significant labor subsidies, is interested in startups that can provide technological advancements to Bahrain and make a huge impact on the economy and employment.

“Every Israeli I know who has been to Bahrain has come back with a sparkle in their eyes, and those who went for business will tell you that Bahrain is business friendly and our work attitude is tachles,” said Bahrain’s ambassador to Israel Khaled Al Jalahma, using a Hebrew slang word that roughly translates as “cut to the chase.”

Among the participating startups:

• Payroll automation company Papaya Global
• SeeTree intelligence network for trees
• Green hydrogen and oxygen producer H2Pro
• Cultivated meat startup Aleph Farms
• Autonomous hive developer Beewise
• Medical imaging analysis company Scopio Labs
• C2i Genomics, whose whole-genome sequencing method enables early detection of persistent or recurrent cancer cells from a standard blood sample
• Workflow management leader Monday.com
• Battery technology pioneer Addionics
• Finteka from Bank Leumi
• Indoor climate automation company Setpoint 
• Automotive sensing technology developer Trieye
• Sports and entertainment tech company Minute Media

“Today we learned about the amazing opportunities Bahrain offers Israeli tech companies. We are working to foster such collaborations that are the foundation for long-term relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said Start-Up Nation Central VP of Innovation Diplomacy Yariv Becher.