We’ve Got Your Back: Viral Egyptian COVID-19 Solidarity Hashtag Gets EGP 100,000 Angel Investment

Cairo Angels, Egypt’s first formal angel investment network, is offering one startup EGP 100,000 to formalize the #احنا_في_ضهرك initiative. The viral hashtag - literally meaning ‘We’ve Got Your Back’ - saw young and healthy Egyptians volunteer to run errands for the elderly and vulnerable people living alone, lowering their risk of infection from the novel coronavirus.

The call is for an existing startup that can build a database of volunteers to be verified through social media accounts and national identity cards, also utilising a system of references and reviews. The product should be launched within a week, and will be free while COVID-19 continues to be a threat, but can evolve into a subscription-based service later.

Microsoft Egypt has announced it will be granting the winning startup $25,000 in Azure credit, as well as technical consultancy and enablement activities. MayDay, the Egyptian roadside assistance startup, is also offering EGP 60,000 worth of operational support.

Startups can apply here until March 30th.