Egypt was one of the first Arab countries to establish incubators and accelerators for startups, with the Social Fund establishing the first Egyptian business incubators in 1995 under the name Egyptian Association for Small Business Incubators. The country has seen a boom in the number of incubators and accelerators active in the startup ecosystem over the last two decades, putting Egypt at the forefront of the entrepreneurship scene and investment regionally.
So, if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur looking for organizations designed to encourage creative ideas and drive the growth of innovative firms, you’ve come to the perfect place! The following is a list of the 20 most active incubators and accelerators in Egypt’s startup ecosystem.
Top 10 Egyptian Startup Incubators
1. GESR INCUBATOR
Key information:
- Founded: 2013
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Health, Education, Energy, Water, and Food
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: GESR Incubator and Innovation Lab.
- Email: gesr@misrelkheir.org
Misr El Kheir Foundation established the GESR program to contribute to a knowledge-based economy and technology transfer. GESR assists innovators and entrepreneurs in addressing social problems in the energy, water, education, health, and food sectors, intending to provide cost-effective solutions to the concerns of the economic pyramid base groups. GESR delivers a 6 to 9-month incubation program that includes financial assistance, coaching, training, and technical and legal assistance to help innovators and entrepreneurs with a clear business plan for developing viable product prototypes.
2. NU TechSpace
Key information:
- Founded: 2017
- City: Giza
- Industry: Cognitive technology, artificial intelligence and blockchain
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: Business Development Program, Awareness and Training Program, and Business Incubation Program
- Email: Email form
Nile University Business Incubator (NU TechSpace) is one of the first Egyptian business incubators specializing in the Middle East and North Africa in cognitive technology, artificial intelligence, and (Blockchain). It is one of the programs funded by the Central Bank as part of the Nile Pioneers initiative, which aims to support entrepreneurship, medium and small businesses, and local production. The incubator program is divided into two parts: the pre-incubation stage, which prepares preliminary applicants, and the incubation stage, which lasts eight months and qualifies participants to establish their startups.
3. Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC)
Key information:
- Founded: 2010
- City: Giza
- Industry: Technological innovation and information technology
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: TIEC Technology Incubator Center Program Start IT
- Email: inquiries@tiec.gov.eg
As an approved European Business Network (EBN) member, TIEC is one of the most essential and largest business incubators in Egypt and the region. The TIEC Centre Incubator aims to develop the field of technological innovation and entrepreneurship in Egypt so that it can compete globally, and it also works to find solutions to the state’s problems in this field, as well as to develop the necessary strategies to establish an economy based on creativity and technology. Projects are accepted when a technology-based, implementable, and innovative idea exists. The incubator provides a workplace and helps founders to register the company, finalize legal procedures, and provide services and consultations in all fields, including linkage With investment entities.
4. START EGYPT
Key information:
- Founded: N/A
- City: Giza
- Industry: THealth, Education, Environment, Waste Management, Healthcare, ICT, Internet and Digital Content
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: National Roadshows, Incubator Program and Funding Grants
- Email: Email form
START EGYPT is a four-month pre-acceleration program designed to inspire and support millions of Egyptian entrepreneurs working in social impact businesses. The START EGYPT program aims to be one of the best Egyptian business incubators, assisting in developing innovative ideas during the early stages of company formation by providing mentorship, training, and business services by local and international experts without acquiring any equity in the company. Entrepreneurs also receive technology and training modules and continuing support from specialized solution service providers. The START EGYPT network is a vital aspect of the program, providing participants access to a wide range of local and international industry experts and supporting business growth and scalability. With the assistance of the Flat6Labs Accelerator, promising and qualifying entrepreneurs may receive a grant or investment of up to $250,000.
5. NILEPRENEURES
Key information:
- Founded: 2019
- City: Giza
- Industry: Supporting startups and SMEs in manufacturing and digital transformation
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: Competition Program, Innovation Program, and Khalik Digital
- Email: Email form
The incubator is affiliated with Nile University and is divided into three main programs that support small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs’ activities in Egypt. The incubator is split into three fields: the creative design incubator, the furniture design incubator, and the engineering and chemical work incubator. Here is some information on the NILEPRENEURES incubator’s three categories:
- Creative Design Incubator: It targets projects that work in the field of designing furniture pieces of all types and provides funding of 90 thousand pounds without acquiring a percentage from the company in return, and to accept your project in the furniture design incubator, you must have a unique idea in the field of furniture design that can be manufactured and marketed.
- Simulation business incubator: Targeting startups that work on producing applications for businesses and brands, incubated startups can receive EGP 120,000 in funding without acquiring a percentage from the company in return. Still, to join the incubator, you will need full-time software developers to work on a prototype for your application to be accepted.
- Engineering and Chemical Business Incubator: One of Egypt’s business incubators dedicated to the engineering and chemical industries, which supports construction-related ventures, such as discovering unique building materials or mechanical and technological innovations in the construction field. The incubator offers dedicated offices for entrepreneurs and finance of up to EGP 90,000 without requiring a part of the company in exchange.
6. Injaz Egypt
Key information:
- Founded: N/A
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Entrepreneurship
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: Start Up Egypt, Meet Silicon Valley, The Women’s Entrepreneurship Program and San3ety Graduates
- Email: hr@injaz-egypt.org
Injaz Egypt manages two competitions to incubate new project ideas: Dare to Dream, which is aimed at school and university students, and Startup Egypt, which is targeted at startups in their early stages. Injaz Egypt programs provide its affiliates with an incubation period ranging between 3 and 6 months, a workspace, experts and specialists in all fields who help startup owners develop their project ideas, and some programs also provide funds grants to finance businesses.
7. Nahdet El Mahrousa
Key information:
- Founded: N/A
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Renewable energy, waste management, water management, food production, agribusiness, handicrafts and performing arts
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: Incubator El Mahrousa
- Email: info@nahdetelmahrousa.org
Nahdet El Mahrousa was one of the region’s earliest incubators for innovative social enterprises. While it began as a support platform, it has expanded to incubate social entrepreneurs from the idea stage through the growth and expansion stages. Nahdet El Mahrousa sets startups for 9 months, gives up to EGP 150k funding, and provides startups with a network that boosts their market visibility. Nahdet El Mahrousa’s incubation programs aim to help entrepreneurs who want to solve social problems and leave a societal and developmental impact on their surroundings.
8. MINT
Key information:
- Founded: N/A
- City: Giza
- Industry: Supporting the establishment of startups
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: MINT Incubator
- Email: Email form
In cooperation with EG-Bank and Cairo Angels, MINT, one of the Middle East and Africa’s most significant investment groups, has launched a three-month incubation program. The incubator is intended to assist entrepreneurs without imposing any limits or requiring the acquisition of any equity percentages or the cost of loans on the startups enrolled in the program. The incubator offers a variety of marketing and development consultations and workshops. It assists its affiliates in developing mechanisms to develop their businesses, providing co-working spaces during the incubation period and connecting them with a strong network of relationships to enter the market.
9. Ain Shams University Business Incubator (ihub)
Key information:
- Founded: 2015
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Supporting and developing the ideas of students and new graduates and turning them into entrepreneurial businesses
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: iCamp and iSpark
- Email: info@ihub.asu.edu.eg
The Ain Shams University Business Incubator (ihub) provides numerous programs, including the (Ispark) and (iCamp) programs. The incubator offers expert and specialist coaching and training on business management skills, a co-working space, and access to a strong network of relationships through various activities that boost investment chances.
10. Startups of Alex
Key information:
- Founded: 2015
- City: Alexandria
- Industry: Financial Services & Training
- Type: Business Incubator
- Program information: Business Incubator Program
- Email: info@startupsofalex.com
The Startups of Alex incubator experiment began as a pioneering initiative by Icealex, financed by the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, to support a sustainable startup ecosystem and develop economic activity in Alexandria by improving business and project presence. Icealex is a community-driven technology innovation center dependent on a solid social and environmental commitment, intending to create an enabling ecosystem of action-oriented minds engaged in finding sustainable solutions to local difficulties in Alexandria. The incubator provides a variety of services, including counseling, mentoring, cutting-edge training workshops, impact programs, co-working facilities, rapid prototyping, and manufacturing services, to enable innovation, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and creativity, as well as connect the various components of Alexandria’s startup ecosystem, which includes connecting startups with mentors, investors, partners, and organizations supporting economic development.
Top 10 Egyptian Startup Accelerators
11. EBNI
Key information:
- Founded: 2015
- City: New Cairo
- Industry: ICT industry, electronics and software manufacturing, systems automation, and Internet of Things
- Type: Incubator and accelerator
- Program information: EBNI Incubation Program and Egyptian Electronics and Embedded CoEs
- Email: info@ebni.io
The Business Incubator and Accelerator (EBNI) is Egypt’s first business incubator dedicated to assisting IoT businesses with a modern IoT Lab and business services, human resources, accounting, training, learning, technical support, and infrastructure. The EBNI portal allows startups to submit incubation applications, conduct remote evaluations and choices, and then open the door for applications for various services, particularly funding assistance for the incubation program or accelerators. The EBNI system enables startups to track the funding granted to them in the incubation program and provides many tools to help founders manage their startups effectively. EBNI provides incubation programs that contribute funding from EGP 200k to EGP 340k, depending on the nature of the startup’s product or service. In addition to the EU startup funding programs, which provide up to €10,000 for incubation and €50,000 for accelerator programs.
12. Startupbootcamp FinTech Cairo
Key information:
- Founded: 2010
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Fintech, insurance, SME lending, financial inclusion and blockchain
- Type: Accelerator
- Program information: Startupbootcamp FinTech Cairo Program
- Email: fintechcairo@startupbootcamp.org
As one of the first accelerated funding programs for fintech entrepreneurs, Startupbootcamp introduced FinTech Cairo to the MENA region. The accelerator program in Egypt encourages creative fintech businesses, focusing on financial inclusion solutions that bring new products to market and propel generation Z of tech startups to success. The intensive six-month Startupbootcamp FinTech Cairo program provides 10 selected fintech startups with hands-on mentorship from over 100 industry experts, office space in Cairo’s heart, and access to a global network of investors and corporate partners from across the fintech industry, where FinTech Cairo partners with Visa, IFC, and GIZ to provide expertise, channels, and access to a network of fintech professionals.
13. AUC Venture Labs
Key information:
- Founded: 2013
- City: New Cairo
- Industry: Innovation-driven and fintech startups
- Type: Accelerator
- Program information: Startup Accelerator and Fintech Accelerator
- Email: vlab@aucegypt.edu
AUC Venture Lab is an accelerator program that helps innovative entrepreneurs convert their ideas and technologies into marketable enterprises. Since 2013, AUC Venture Lab’s programs have accelerated over 270 businesses from various industries. The accelerator believes in evidence-based entrepreneurship and provides all specialized knowledge, tools, and resources to connect with the world of entrepreneurship and reach its full potential through a 3-month incubation programme and funding depending on the nature of the startups’ business organized into the program through its extensive network.
14. Maestro
Key information:
- Founded: 2017
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Business Development, Financial Services, Product Management, and Project Management
- Type: Accelerator
- Program information: Startups Acceleration Program
- Email: fintechcairo@startupbootcamp.org
Maestro was founded in 2017 by a global team of business consulting, technology, and product management experts to empower stakeholders in the digital economy. Maestro focuses on innovation to aid businesses with new models and digital transformations, with the ultimate objective of assisting startups in adapting to the changing marketplace by transforming their businesses into flexible, efficient, and high-performance digital companies.
15. Flat6Labs
Key information:
- Founded: 2011
- City: Giza
- Industry: Seed Funding Management for Startups
- Type: Accelerator and Venture Capital Fund
- Program information: Flat6Labs Cairo Legacy and Flat6Labs Accelerator Company
- Email: cairo@flat6labs.com
Flat6Labs, which was founded in Cairo in 2011 by the founders of Sawari Ventures, has since expanded into Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Tunisia, Beirut, Bahrain, and, most recently, Jordan, and now manages 8 seed funds across the MENA region with a total value of US$85 million, as well as 25 institutional investors and limited partners. Flat6Labs provides startup owners with financial funding, workspace, consulting services, and other services in exchange for a percentage of the company’s value during its 3-month program, and the accelerator requires the entrepreneur to have a minimum viable product or prototype. Flat6Labs has strong relationships at the local and international levels, so if you own a different project and have a customer base and the ability to attract the target audience, flat6labs can be your means of reaching investors outside the Egyptian borders.
16. Falak Startups
Key information:
- Founded: 2018
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Automotive Technology, Logistics, Health Technology, Clean Energy, Agricultural Technology and E-Commerce
- Type: Accelerator and Venture Capital Fund
- Program information: General Track and fintech Track
- Email: Info@falakstartups.com
Falak Startups was founded with the help of Egypt’s Ministry of International Cooperation and its venture capital arm, Egypt Ventures. Falak Startups’ mission is to find and empower talented and ambitious tech startup founders in the region’s rapidly changing entrepreneurial landscape. It focuses on improving product market fit for startups, refining business, operating, and revenue models to grow their customer base and increase future investments. Falak Startups provides entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks they need to develop their strategies and scale their businesses through mentorship, training, and a variety of perks and benefits, and founders can showcase their startups on the accelerator’s Virtual Stage, a tool for connecting with potential investors, policymakers, stakeholders, and partners, after meeting the required KPIs. Falak Startups provides entrepreneurs with up to EGP 2 million in funding to help them establish momentum and accelerate their growth. Its portfolio also assists entrepreneurs in obtaining follow-on funding from venture capital firms, angel investors, and corporations.
17. EFG-EV Fintech
Key information:
- Founded: 2018
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Fintech, Insurtech, Real Estate Technology, Blockchain-enabled Platforms, and Infrastructure Technology
- Type: Accelerator and Venture Capital Fund
- Program information: Empowering Innovators
- Email: Email form
EFG-EV Fintech results from EFG Finance’s expertise and deep understanding of Egypt Ventures’ Egyptian entrepreneurship scene. It is an accelerator and venture capital fund created to grow, encourage, and empower firms that wish to contribute to developing Egypt’s fintech ecosystem. In the next three years, EFG-EV Fintech plans to invest in more than twenty fintech businesses as its diversified team of seasoned investors, entrepreneurs, and technology specialists seeks to reshape the ecosystem through a forward-thinking investment approach. The accelerator provides two distinct investment tracks, the first in collaboration with Falak Startups, where the Early-Stage Startup Accelerator Programme was launched, which invests up to EGP 1 million in cash and more than EGP 300,000 in support functions for each startup, and the second in venture capital arm investments that may reach EGP 5 million for startups in the advanced phase, providing additional funding to advance the series A.
18. Foundation Ventures
Key information:
- Founded: 2018
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Logistics, Fintech, EdTech, Retail & Fashion
- Type: Venture Capital Fund
- Program information: N/A
- Email: info@foundationventures.com
Foundation Ventures is a venture capital fund focused on assisting startups in Egypt and the MENA region during their early stages of development, supporting founders who contribute to the development of logistics, fintech, edtech, retail, and fashion, and opening doors and opportunities for their companies to grow by providing access to the country’s largest distribution channels.
19. Innoventures
Key information:
- Founded: 2011
- City: Cairo
- Industry: Technology
- Type: Accelerator and Venture Capital Fund
- Program information: Startup Reactor
- Email: info@innoventures.me
Innoventures was established in 2011 as an innovation platform to bring to market a variety of indigenous Egyptian technology innovations. The accelerator accepts, discovers, and manages project ideas for them to grow into viable, high-impact firms. Innoventures takes a realistic approach to project acceptance. Instead of funding and superficial management help, they give a shared hub for business tools and a support network that saves startups money and increases their chances of success. The investment strategy of Innoventures is focused on technology initiatives of high interest in the Middle East.
20. AUC Angels
Key information:
- Founded: N/A
- City: New Cairo
- Industry: Innovation-driven and fintech startups
- Type: Venture Capital Fund
- Program information: AUC Angels Membership
- Email: aucangels@aucegypt.edu
AUC Angels are the Middle East’s first university venture capital fund to construct educational products with the help of angel investors, and it has a startup investment program through an angel investor network throughout the Middle East. The fund aims to promote and offer cash to promising firms by investing in early-stage startups with growth potential, thus increasing the dynamism of Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The objective of AUC Angels is to create an angel investment network for AUC graduates, to give a strong pool of entrepreneurs to investors, to expedite the flow of deals, to support unique Egyptian startups during their seed fundraising phase securely, and to provide support after the investment has been completed.
Related Article: 10 Unique Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Saudi Arabia
Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter for startup & business news and inspiring stories of MENA businesses, entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, investors, and change-makers.
To report any issue or error in the story, please email us editor [at] rasmal [dot] com.
