Latest news with #TIEC
Tahya Masr
22-05-2025
- Business
- Tahya Masr
ITIDA Launches 47th Round of Start IT Incubation Program with New Incentives to Boost Startup Readiness
The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), an affiliate of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), has announced the launch of the 47th round of its Start IT incubation program. Applications are open until May 24 , targeting early-stage startups with innovative ideas and ICT-based prototypes to help them transform their concepts into scalable and growth-ready startups. In line with its continued efforts to empower the entrepreneurial ecosystem, TIEC has unveiled an enhanced package of incubation benefits for this round. Key updates include a significant increase in the financial and in-kind support, reaching EGP 480,000 up from EGP 180,000, providing startups with stronger capabilities to execute development and scaling phases more efficiently. Additionally, cloud support from Amazon Web Services (AWS) has doubled to USD10,000 , reflecting TIEC's strategy to accelerate cloud readiness and adoption among startups by enabling access to cutting-edge infrastructure and services. This round also introduces the exclusive Start IT Perks platform, offering participants special discounts and benefits from TIEC partners, including InterAct and These partnerships provide startups with access to advanced technical tools and applications that enhance operational efficiency and foster business growth. To address talent acquisition challenges faced by early-stage ventures, the program now includes dedicated recruitment support through collaborations with specialized platforms such as Talents Arena , Sprints , and Techie Matters , enabling startups to build skilled and professional teams. Further, in response to the growing demand for AI-driven innovation, the new package features specialized support in Artificial Intelligence , including training programs and personalized consultancy sessions with experts. This is aligned with Egypt's digital transformation priorities and aims to raise AI readiness across the local startup ecosystem. 'The launch of the new round of the Start IT incubation program—enhanced with an expanded benefits package from our Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC)—reflects our continued commitment to supporting Egypt's tech startups innovation-driven entrepreneurship,' said Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA. 'Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in accelerating economic growth and driving innovation, and ITIDA remains firmly focused on developing custom-tailored programs and initiatives that address the needs of startups and strengthen Egypt's entrepreneurship ecosystem at every stage.' Startups applying to the program will be assessed based on a set of technical criteria. Eligible projects must offer practical solutions to existing or anticipated market challenges and be backed by a functional ICT-based prototype. Projects should leverage technology either as a core product or as an enabling component of an innovative service. Key selection criteria also include economic viability, sustainability potential, scalability, and the ability to attract investment. Projects must be led by dedicated entrepreneurs fully committed to developing their ventures. Applications from teams with non-dedicated undergraduate students or projects incubated concurrently elsewhere will not be considered. Start IT is one of Egypt's leading startup support programs in the ICT sector, delivered quarterly by TIEC. Accepted startups benefit from a 12-month incubation period at TIEC centers across the country. These centers provide fully equipped workspaces, business and technical consulting, software and hardware support, and marketing services. Project evaluation considers several key factors, including product or service uniqueness, market analysis, competitive advantage, prototype maturity, and founding team expertise. Established in September 2010, the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC) has played a pivotal role in promoting innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship across Egypt. Through its comprehensive capacity-building programs, incubation services, and strategic initiatives, TIEC contributes to positioning Egypt as a regional hub for innovation and digital entrepreneurship.
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's ITIDA scales up tech startup incubation with AI-driven perks, EGP 480K funding, and $10K in AWS support
Cairo, Egypt – Egypt's Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), an affiliate of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), has opened applications for the 47th round of its flagship Start IT incubation program, now offering its most extensive support package to date. Applications are open until May 24, targeting early-stage startups with scalable ICT-based solutions or tech-enabled prototypes that address real-world challenges. The enhanced round reflects ITIDA's broader strategy to strengthen Egypt's digital economy and empower its expanding startup ecosystem. 'The launch of the new round of the Start IT incubation program—enhanced with an expanded benefits package from our Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC)—reflects our continued commitment to supporting Egypt's tech startups innovation-driven entrepreneurship,' said Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA. 'Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in accelerating economic growth and driving innovation, and ITIDA remains firmly focused on developing custom-tailored programs and initiatives that address the needs of startups and strengthen Egypt's entrepreneurship ecosystem at every stage.' Key updates to the program include: Increased support: The value of financial and in-kind benefits has risen from EGP 180,000 to EGP 480,000, enabling startups to fast-track product development and go-to-market execution. Cloud infrastructure credits: Amazon Web Services (AWS) support has doubled to USD 10,000, offering startups access to world-class cloud computing tools and infrastructure. Exclusive perks: The new Start IT Perks platform provides partner-led discounts and services from firms like InterAct and helping founders optimize costs and streamline operations. Talent acquisition support: In response to hiring challenges among early-stage ventures, TIEC has partnered with Talents Arena, Sprints, and Techie Matter to offer tailored recruitment services. AI-focused enablement: Startups will also gain access to expert-led AI training and personalized consultancy, aligning with Egypt's strategic priorities for digital transformation and tech capacity building. Startups applying to the program must demonstrate a working ICT-based prototype that addresses current or emerging market demands. Selection criteria include economic viability, sustainability, scalability, and the commitment of a full-time founding team. Projects led by part-time undergraduate students or those simultaneously incubated by other programs will not be eligible. Accepted startups benefit from a 12-month incubation period at TIEC centers across Egypt. Each center provides fully equipped workspaces, as well as access to technical and business mentorship, hardware/software support, and go-to-market resources. Since its establishment in 2010, TIEC has played a central role in cultivating Egypt's innovation landscape through a range of incubation, acceleration, and capacity-building programs. Its mission aligns with positioning Egypt as a leading regional hub for technology-driven entrepreneurship and digital innovation. For more information and to apply, visit [Start IT Application Portal].
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ITIDA launches 47th round of Start IT Incubation Program with new incentives to boost startup readiness
Cairo, Egypt: The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), an affiliate of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), has announced the launch of the 47th round of its Start IT incubation program. Applications are open until May 24, targeting early-stage startups with innovative ideas and ICT-based prototypes to help them transform their concepts into scalable and growth-ready startups. In line with its continued efforts to empower the entrepreneurial ecosystem, TIEC has unveiled an enhanced package of incubation benefits for this round. Key updates include a significant increase in the financial and in-kind support, reaching EGP 480,000 up from EGP 180,000, providing startups with stronger capabilities to execute development and scaling phases more efficiently. Additionally, cloud support from Amazon Web Services (AWS) has doubled to USD10,000, reflecting TIEC's strategy to accelerate cloud readiness and adoption among startups by enabling access to cutting-edge infrastructure and services. This round also introduces the exclusive Start IT Perks platform, offering participants special discounts and benefits from TIEC partners, including InterAct and These partnerships provide startups with access to advanced technical tools and applications that enhance operational efficiency and foster business growth. To address talent acquisition challenges faced by early-stage ventures, the program now includes dedicated recruitment support through collaborations with specialized platforms such as Talents Arena, Sprints, and Techie Matters, enabling startups to build skilled and professional teams. Further, in response to the growing demand for AI-driven innovation, the new package features specialized support in Artificial Intelligence, including training programs and personalized consultancy sessions with experts. This is aligned with Egypt's digital transformation priorities and aims to raise AI readiness across the local startup ecosystem. 'The launch of the new round of the Start IT incubation program—enhanced with an expanded benefits package from our Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC)—reflects our continued commitment to supporting Egypt's tech startups innovation-driven entrepreneurship,' said Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA. 'Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in accelerating economic growth and driving innovation, and ITIDA remains firmly focused on developing custom-tailored programs and initiatives that address the needs of startups and strengthen Egypt's entrepreneurship ecosystem at every stage.' Startups applying to the program will be assessed based on a set of technical criteria. Eligible projects must offer practical solutions to existing or anticipated market challenges and be backed by a functional ICT-based prototype. Projects should leverage technology either as a core product or as an enabling component of an innovative service. Key selection criteria also include economic viability, sustainability potential, scalability, and the ability to attract investment. Projects must be led by dedicated entrepreneurs fully committed to developing their ventures. Applications from teams with non-dedicated undergraduate students or projects incubated concurrently elsewhere will not be considered. Start IT is one of Egypt's leading startup support programs in the ICT sector, delivered quarterly by TIEC. Accepted startups benefit from a 12-month incubation period at TIEC centers across the country. These centers provide fully equipped workspaces, business and technical consulting, software and hardware support, and marketing services. Project evaluation considers several key factors, including product or service uniqueness, market analysis, competitive advantage, prototype maturity, and founding team expertise. Established in September 2010, the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC) has played a pivotal role in promoting innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship across Egypt. Through its comprehensive capacity-building programs, incubation services, and strategic initiatives, TIEC contributes to positioning Egypt as a regional hub for innovation and digital entrepreneurship. For more information and to apply, visit [Start IT Application Portal].
TECHx
17-04-2025
- Business
- TECHx
Egypt Launches Invest-IT to Support 15 Promising Tech Startups
Fifteen Egyptian tech startups unveiled their innovations during the launch of Invest-IT, a new national program led by the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC). TIEC is affiliated with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA). The program is launched in collaboration with Flat6Labs, a leading early-stage venture capital firm in the MENA region. Invest-IT is designed to support startups in the Seed and Pre-Series A stages. The goal is to boost investment readiness and help entrepreneurs across Egypt secure funding and grow their businesses. The program also aims to drive economic development through innovation. The launch event gathered key stakeholders from Egypt's tech ecosystem. Among them were Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA, and Hany Al-Sonbaty, Founder of Flat6Labs. Also present were Dina El-Shenoufy, Chief Investment Officer at Flat6Labs, Lamiaa El Rashidy, Incubation Manager at TIEC, and the founders of the selected startups. According to El-Zaher, Invest-IT marks a significant step in empowering startups to attract investment. He emphasized ITIDA's commitment to building a resilient tech ecosystem through education, infrastructure, and access to funding. Al-Sonbaty highlighted the importance of combining capital with mentorship and long-term support. The selected startups cover a wide range of sectors, including AI, fintech, logistics, proptech, insurtech, and smart energy. This diversity reflects Egypt's growing innovation potential. Startups in the Seed group include: The White Guard (cybersecurity and PPE) Dragify (AI for financial services) HNDL (logistics tech) Turuq (packaging and shipping solutions) Skoolix (digital learning tools) KENNAH (proptech) Atoms AI (semiconductor inspection) PhotonSmart (smart energy devices) The Pre-Series A group features: Valify (AI-based identity verification) Mrkoon (waste management platform) Qubefyn (AI data intelligence) Venu (event venue booking) Amanleek (insurtech solutions) LyRise (enterprise AI) Hoopoe Digital (location-based Wi-Fi services) The Invest-IT program runs in two phases. In Phase One, startups join workshops and receive tailored mentorship. In Phase Two, they connect with potential investors through curated matchmaking opportunities. Overall, Invest-IT aims to accelerate startup growth and strengthen Egypt's position as a regional innovation hub.
Tahya Masr
16-04-2025
- Business
- Tahya Masr
ITIDA Launches 'Invest-IT' to Accelerate Startup Investment Readiness Across Egypt
Fifteen promising Egyptian tech startups unveiled their breakthrough innovations during the launch of the first edition of Invest-IT, a nationwide program led by the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC)—an affiliate of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA)—in collaboration with Flat6Labs, the MENA region's leading seed and early-stage venture capital firm. Designed to enhance investment readiness for tech startups in the Seed and Pre-Series A stages, Invest-IT targets emerging entrepreneurs across various Egyptian governorates, aiming to help them secure funding, expand operations, and drive sustainable economic growth through innovation. The launch event brought together key stakeholders in Egypt's tech ecosystem, including Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA; Hany Al-Sonbaty, Founder and Chairman of Flat6Labs; Dina El-Shenoufy, Chief Investment Officer at Flat6Labs; Lamiaa El Rashidy, Incubation Manager at TIEC; along with the founders of the participating startups. "The Invest-IT program represents a pivotal milestone in our efforts to empower Egyptian startups during their most critical phase—investment readiness. At ITIDA, we are deeply committed to building a resilient and inclusive technology ecosystem that not only nurtures innovation but also equips startups to scale and compete on a global stage." — Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA He added: 'Our strategy is holistic—starting from igniting a culture of innovation within universities, scaling up our nationwide Digital Egypt Innovation Hubs (Creativa), and delivering future-ready digital skills, all the way to facilitating access to essential funding and investment for scaling through strategic private-sector partnerships.' From AI and fintech to logistics, proptech, and smart energy solutions, the diversity of startups participating in Invest-IT showcases Egypt's rapidly maturing innovation landscape and its potential to become a regional startup powerhouse. Featured Startups The Seed Funding group includes: The White Guard: cybersecurity and high-quality PPE manufacturing Dragify: AI solutions for the financial services sector HNDL: fleet management tech in the logistics domain Turuq: technology-driven packaging and shipping services Skoolix: smart digital learning tools KENNAH: proptech for underutilized real estate assets Atoms AI: AI-powered semiconductor inspection PhotonSmart: energy-efficient smart home devices for hospitality and residential sectors The Pre-Series A cohort features startups with mature business models, such as: Valify: AI-based digital identity verification Mrkoon: digital platform linking waste management suppliers and retailers Qubefyn: AI-powered data intelligence solutions Venu: venue-booking and management platform for events Amanleek: insurtech for individuals and businesses LyRise: affordable enterprise AI solutions Hoopoe Digital: location-based digital services powered by large-scale Wi-Fi data Hany Al-Sonbaty, Founder of Flat6Labs and Managing Director of Sawari Ventures, emphasized: 'Invest-IT represents a model of integrated collaboration—bringing together resources, capital, and mentorship to empower startups with both technical know-how and purpose-driven leadership. At Flat6Labs, we believe entrepreneurship is not only about funding, but about people, values, and creating lasting impact.' Program Structure The Invest-IT program is structured in two distinct phases designed to accelerate startup growth and investment readiness. In Phase One, startups receive intensive workshops, personalized mentorship, and access to essential resources aimed at strengthening their business models and investment fundamentals. Phase Two focuses on investor engagement, where participants are connected with a curated network of investors through targeted matchmaking opportunities to facilitate funding and growth.
