She is not only an inventor of unique scientific machines like the nail polish mixer and the portable blood bank, but she also helps create and nurture other creators of various inventions. Meet Eng. Alaa Mohammed Abdulraheem, Founder and General Manager, Butterfly Technology, whose mission is to help Bahrain become a hub of creative inventions of original ideas!
Tell us briefly about yourself. Where you were born and raised, any special childhood memory?
I am a Bahraini inventor who has many inventions in several fields. My inventions have won many prizes and awards around the world. Right from childhood I have been passionate about inventions. My family noticed that so they worked hard on me to nurture my scientific talent. At 11 years, I had joined the Bahrain Science Centre, and after few years, I started volunteering to teach and train other students in the center. When I was 14 years and my brother, 11, we won the Gold medal on GCC science center exhibition and competition. We were the youngest researcher in the region at that time and the competition was for high school & university students.
Briefly tell us about your educational and professional qualifications.
I am a Computer Engineer who tried to develop herself by attending courses, lectures and conferences in many field such as : Inventions, Leadership and Science.
What brought you to start up an independent venture? Tell us about your company.
After winning many prizes around the world such as Microsoft Imagine Cup Worldwide, I worked very hard to make it not just a graduation project but to raise the name of Bahrain in technology. In order to keep the invention in Bahrain, I refused to sell my invention to big companies. I took a huge responsibility to start a company in Bahrain to manufacture my invention, and I opened many opportunities for other people to invent, build prototype, and doing all what any invention needs.
Please tell us something about your various inventions.
I have many invention such as Nail polish Mixer, which is a machine can produce any color of nail polish in different types in less than 60 second. This machine is controlled by smart devices app. Also, ladies can scan their dress and get the same nail polish color.
Another invention is Portable
Blood Bank, which is a machine that can be used in Emergency wards to provide blood to serious patients on an urgent basis.
Please mention any awards /recognition that your business has acquired so far.
1. Efficiency honored by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa -Bahrain National Day 2014
2. Medal and the title of inventor of Bahrain 2014 Gulf campaign –GCC Patent Office
3. Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Academic Excellence (outstanding student category) – grant from the United Arab Emirates 2005
4. Medal of creators and innovator Arab children (Arab League, Arab countries) 2004
5. Imagine Cup -Microsoft competition
-1st place local
-1’st place Pan Arab semi final
-3rd place worldwide final
6. Eina sixty-sixth exhibition for inventions and inventors, Germany (bronze medal) world wide
7. Seventh International Exhibition of the invention the Middle East countries- Kuwait (Gold Medal ) –world wide
8. Geneva 44th inventions exhibition (Gold Medal) –world wide
9. GCC Patent Office competition -Third Prize – GCC wide
10. Best Senior Graduation Project Award – IT department
How is Butterfly Technology unique?
We are creating inventors and we want to make Bahrain the country of one million invention. Also, we aim to turn every idea into an Invention and every invention into a real product. Our main services include:
1. Manufacture and produce electronic devices
2. Build and develop softwares , apps, and websites
3. Create and develop new ideas to invention
4. Mind GYM inventions lab
What have been the major challenges in your path of success so far?
There have been several challenges like money, time, the technical knowhow and expertise, and so on.
What are the basic qualities an individual needs to start up something on their own?
Faith in his/her abilities, toughness to endure temporary failures, an invincible fighting spirit.
But never stop fighting. One day your dream will come true and you will enjoy it!
Where do you see your company in the next 5 years?
The only Arab and Bahraini company between the top companies around the world Insha Allah!
What kind of help and support do you seek to help reach your goal?
I believe that the project I am working on of creating inventors is very significant as it will enable Bahrain to make a name for itself in the world. However, I am currently looking for financial investors and technical collaborators to make this dream come true.
What are the basic requisites of a good inventor?
Being patient and keep trying. The invention may not work or find the right way to make it work until you try hundreds of times. We know the story of Adison he was trying 99 time and then the light turned on.
What is your message to budding entrepreneurs in the country?
Before you start, make sure that your idea is “the one” you want to work on it for the rest of your life. It is okay to make 80% of you effort just for choosing the idea and the rest to work on it. Because choosing the idea or the dream is the most important phase, and every thing will depend on it. So think wisely before you start. Once you start, as I said, never give up— fight till the end… and one day (it’s okay ,maybe not today…but someday) your dream will come true and you will enjoy each single moment.