Start-ups looking to pitch their product or service can showcase their products at the Middle East Process Engineering Conference and Exhibition (Mepec) that will be held from October 9 to 11 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in the Kingdom of Bahrain. To make use of the opportunity, start-ups need to register their product or invention before July 30, 2017.

This edition, Mepec focuses on nurturing youth, driving innovation and encouraging science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM-based events like the ‘AIChE Middle East Regional Chem-E-Car Competition’ to get the younger generation to foster critical thinking, collaboration and creativity; paving the way for future generations to meet global challenges.

The Innovation and Commercialisation Zone (ICZ), one of Mepec’s key initiatives helps start-ups and innovators meet potential buyers and investors at the Middle East’s largest gathering of process engineers.

Mepec’s partnership with CH9, the Bahraini based start-up accelerator strengthens this initiative by providing a platform to start-ups and new ventures, universities and researchers who can demonstrate and educate regional and international buyers of their creative solutions.

Any promising start-up in the energy sector can grab this opportunity to go from pitch to marketplace and join other budding startups in one unifying mission: to solve real-world problems.

Start-ups can showcase their invention, publicise proof-of-concept to international manufacturers and drive marketability of their invention at the largest specialised event devoted entirely to process engineering, viewed by over 3,000 participants attending Mepec, said a release. 

The ICZ initiative is chaired by Craig Smith, CEO of Dhahran Valley Technology Development Company (DTVC). The Dhahran Techno-Valley Company (DTVC), a wholly owned subsidiary of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), is a key driver of the Dhahran Techno Valley Ecosystem.

Smith said: “As chair of Mepec’s Innovation and Commercialisation Zone (ICZ), I lead an effort to have 30 new start-up companies demonstrate their innovative technologies on the exhibition floor at the Manama conference in October. These process engineering technologies will be viewed by 3,000 participants attending Mepec. It’s a fantastic opportunity for companies and small business entities across the GCC to put their product in front of potential customers and end users. DTVC is perfectly positioned to support a conference like Mepec.”

For start-ups, who want to make it big, this is an opportunity to be present; make powerful connections with key decision makers in the energy sector, utilise this platform to get a better understanding about the industry’s challenges and tailor their product or service to bridge the gap, the release added.

With over 1800 delegates and 150 exhibitors, Mepec is a unique gathering for all involved in process engineering, a discipline critical for operating companies in the energy sector in the region. Saudi Aramco, Sabic and Nogaholding are prime sponsors and supporters of Mepec 2017, which will be held under the Patronage of his Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, Kingdom of Bahrain with the theme “Sustainable Growth through Process Innovation & Downstream Integration”.