8 Startups Won At Start Up Egypt, Securing Seed Funding, Incubation, And Legal Registration

INJAZ Egypt threw a showcase event followed by a ceremony for its programme, on April 20th at Cairo's Marriot Hotel; Start Up Egypt where eight businesses, varying from edutainment, e-commerce to production and transportation, have acquired physical incubation, legal registration, and seed funding from EGP 150,000 to EGP 100,000. These are: Afandy, Aukshan, Beit El Warsha, Ditto, More Of, Pepla, Tenjin, and UHJIA.

“We are so proud of all 70 startups we have engaged with and served over the past nine years and we are even more proud of the success so many of them have reached in Egypt, as well as regionally and globally. This year, we are beyond excited to see our latest group of aspiring entrepreneurs reach for the stars and set off on their entrepreneurial journey," says Dina El Mofty, Injaz Egypt's co-founder and CEO, INJAZ Egypt.

Start Up Egypt is designed by INJAZ Egypt to serve 35 idea-stage startups seeking to validate their ideas in order to launch their ventures. It targets graduates between the ages of 21 and 30 and is sponsored by the United States Embassy in Cairo, Boeing, and Emirates National Bank of Dubai (ENBD).  In addition to receiving seed funding, these startups will travel to the United States to learn more about the entrepreneurship ecosystem, receive mentorship from American entrepreneurs, and gain valuable international experience.   

The winning teams receiving the seed funding will subsequently enter the third and final phase of the pipeline; incubation where the programme ensures that startups receive all the necessary components to launch their business idea into the real world.

“Egypt is one of the fastest growing startup hubs in the world thanks to the passion, expertise, and grit of its entrepreneurs! This U.S. Embassy-supported incubator programme catalyses Egypt’s hardworking and daring entrepreneurs who are solving hard problems and empowering their communities," says Helen LaFave, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Cairo.

Start Up Egypt is one of the largest talent seeking, entrepreneurship programs in Egypt that contribute to the national economy and generates jobs. Participants are assigned mentors and are exposed to a network of influential individuals ensuring that startups receive all the necessary components to launch their business idea into the real world.

“Boeing has been working with INJAZ Egypt since 2008 to help address employment needs in the country. In 2011, we partnered up for the Startup program in Egypt due to the strength of the INJAZ Egypt’s team and the entrepreneurial appetite of Egyptian youth. The program has been extremely successful with 70 startups established and thousands of jobs created to date. It’s been a rewarding journey seeing students turn their ideas into viable businesses," says Bernard Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. 

“Supporting the community will allow us to rely on our social responsibility efforts to further support critical areas of Egypt's vision 2030 and the United Nations goals for sustainable development; by promoting youth employment. We will continue to strengthen our contribution to the Egyptian people through our CSR framework," says Heidy Ragheb, Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, Emirates NBD Egypt.