Funding & Strategy
January 24, 2026 4 min read

Tamkeen Marketing Support 2026

How to Fund Your Growth Engine (Not Just Machinery)

The Tamkeen Business Growth Program (2026) offers up to 50% co-matching support for "Marketing & Branding" services. This allows Bahraini SMEs to hire enterprise-grade agencies for lead generation at half the cost.

The "Hardware" Bias

When a Bahraini founder thinks of Tamkeen, they usually think of three things: machinery (buying a new coffee machine), IT hardware (buying laptops), and wages (the National Employment Program).

They rarely think of Growth.

This is a strategic error. In 2026, the biggest barrier to scaling isn't a lack of laptops; it's a lack of Customer Acquisition.

The Secret Most Agencies Won't Tell You

Tamkeen's Business Growth Program explicitly covers "Marketing & Branding services."

This means the government is willing to subsidize your Sales Pipeline. You just have to ask correctly.

The 50% Discount on "Enterprise Quality"

Hiring a cheap freelancer (BD 300/mo) often results in zero ROI. Hiring a professional Growth Agency (BD 1,500/mo) guarantees systems, CRM integration, and strategy.

But the price gap is scary.

The Tamkeen Math
Agency FeeBD 1,500 / month
Tamkeen Support (Co-matching)50%
Your CostBD 750 / month

Suddenly, you are getting a Ferrari for the price of a Toyota. You get the Strategy, the Content, and the Automation of a top-tier firm, but your P&L only hits the mid-market rate.

How to Apply (The "Xtrusio" Track)

Tamkeen rejects generic applications. If you write "I want marketing," you will be denied. You must prove Growth Potential.

Here is the 3-step approval workflow we use with our clients:

1
The "Growth Plan" (Not Just Quotes)
Don't just upload a quotation. Upload a Market Expansion Plan.
✗ Bad:"We need Instagram posts." (Rejected)
✓ Good:"We are expanding to Saudi Arabia and need an Account-Based Marketing (ABM) engine to target 500 Riyadh-based companies." (Approved)

Planning Saudi expansion? Read our full Saudi Market Entry Strategy guide.

2
The "Verified" Vendor
Tamkeen will not fund a freelancer with no CR. You must use a registered Bahraini agency with a clean track record.
Xtrusio Status:We are a verified Bahraini vendor. Our contracts are structured specifically to meet Tamkeen's compliance standards (clear deliverables, measurable KPIs).
3
The "Payment" Discipline
Tamkeen operates on a reimbursement model. You pay the agency X, you show the proof of payment, and Tamkeen refunds you 50%.
Tip:Ensure your bank transfer descriptions match the invoice number exactly. One typo delays your refund by 30 days.

What is Covered? (The Checklist)

Not everything is eligible. Here is what we successfully get approved for clients under the Business Growth track:

Tamkeen Business Growth Scope (2026)
  • ✓Marketing Strategy & Management
  • ✓Branding & Design Services
  • ✓Website & App Development
  • ✓Social Media Content Creation
  • ✕Direct Ad Spend (Paid to Google/Meta)
  • ✕Influencer Payments (Cash)
Xtrusio Note: We structure our invoices to separate "Management Fees" (Eligible) from "Ad Spend" (Ineligible) to ensure you get the maximum 50% refund approval.

The Bottom Line

Key Takeaway

You have paid your LMRA fees. You have paid your taxes. The Tamkeen fund is your money sitting in a pot, waiting to help you grow.

Leaving it on the table is bad business.

Don't hire the cheap agency. Hire the best agency, and let Tamkeen pay the difference.

Ready to Apply?

Get your Tamkeen-compliant proposal from Xtrusio

Start Your Application
GA
Gaurav Agarwal
Independent AI Marketing Director & Consultant
gaurav.imapro.in