Gemini Africa Concludes Third Round of Upper Egypt Incubation Program, Empowering 111 Startups with EGP 210,000 in Prizes
Cairo: Gemini Africa has successfully wrapped up the third round of its Incubation Program for startups in Upper Egypt, culminating in a final “Demo Day.” This significant event brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, strategic partners, investors, and representatives from donor organizations, including the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and Mars – Galaxy.
Broad Participation Across Upper Egypt
The latest cycle of the program attracted a wide range of startups from six governorates in Upper Egypt: Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, and Aswan. Out of 600 applicants, 111 startups were selected to participate in a training program aimed at empowering founders of startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with a social impact focus. The program offered specialized training, mentorship, and access to funding and market opportunities, fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Notably, women constituted 54% of the participants, highlighting the program’s commitment to empowering women and enhancing their role in economic development.
A Journey of Capacity Building
The event marked the conclusion of a comprehensive capacity-building journey that spanned several months. By the end of the program, 19 startups qualified to pitch their ideas before an expert jury panel. These startups were evaluated based on their ability to present innovative, impactful, and scalable solutions that demonstrated measurable social impact.
The competition culminated in the selection of the top three winning startups, which collectively received prizes totaling EGP 210,000. The first-place award went to “Insight Learn,” an inclusive education startup that employs a patented innovative learning approach using small 3D models to represent numbers and letters geometrically. This method enhances learning for both visually impaired and sighted children by making it more interactive and accessible. The second-place award was granted to “iBIKIA,” a tech-enabled waste management startup that aims to simplify recycling for households through its mobile application. The third-place winner, “Pottery Hub,” focuses on reviving pottery heritage in Upper Egypt by integrating artificial intelligence with traditional crafts. Its platform offers AI-powered design tools to help artisans improve product quality while collaborating with local workshops to reduce costs and create job opportunities for youth.
Evolution of the Incubation Program
Launched in 2021 under the name “Uplift for Upper Egypt,” the Gemini Upper Egypt Incubation Program has evolved into one of the region’s leading integrated development initiatives supporting social entrepreneurship. The program provides innovative solutions tailored to local market needs and is currently supported by Mars – Galaxy, which is committed to empowering women and fostering sustainable business development.
Ms. Laila Hosny, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, emphasized the foundation’s belief in the power of social entrepreneurship to deliver innovative solutions that address both market and community needs. She noted the foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs, particularly those from economically and geographically marginalized communities. This support aligns with the Sawiris Foundation’s 25th anniversary, marking a long-standing commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable development in Egypt.
Commitment to Empowerment and Growth
Eng. Adly Thoma, CEO of Gemini Africa and Founder of CinemaTech, articulated the program’s vision of empowering social entrepreneurs, particularly youth and women in Upper Egypt, to become catalysts for change in their communities. He highlighted the program’s success over the past four years, noting that startups have achieved significant milestones, including securing awards and investments, as well as gaining local and international recognition.
Thoma further explained that Gemini Africa aims to build integrated ecosystems that promote development from within. By fostering strong local networks and connecting entrepreneurs, the program creates sustainable pathways for growth. The third cycle of the program reflects this vision, showcasing more mature startups with broader impacts and stronger networks.
Ms. Sally El Guindi, General Manager of Mars Egypt, reiterated the importance of empowering women as a core pillar of Mars’ sustainability strategy. She stated that the company aims to support women entrepreneurs in Upper Egypt in realizing their ambitions and expanding their businesses, ultimately benefiting their families and communities.
The event underscored the critical role of partnerships between the private sector and development organizations in creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship in Upper Egypt. Such collaborations enable promising ideas to evolve into impactful businesses that contribute to both economic and social progress.
Source: www.zawya.com
Read all the latest developments and breaking updates in the Latest News section.
Published on 2026-05-06 21:07:00 • By the Editorial Desk
