Month: December 2021

Cairo, Egypt. 19th December, 2021 –

Flat6Labs, in partnership with ESLSCA University, has launched a new innovation and entrepreneurship incubation program to empower undergrad students to develop viable and sustainable businesses upon graduation.

The partnership was signed in October this year, marking the commencement of the program for the current semester’s business students. The program is set to provide capacity building for the business undergrads and equipping them with primary knowledge and tools, enabling them to develop competitive products and companies.

Ramez El Serafy, CEO at Flat6Labs, added, “In addition to enhancing entrepreneurship education, this reinvented university acceleration program will be a significant resource not only to the ESLSCA institution, but also to the community at large in innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and regional technological and economic development.”

The incubation program spans over two phases in an 8-month period. In the first phase, 100 selected students grouped in 25 to 30 startup teams, will be given general entrepreneurship awareness and the basics of design thinking all the way to marketing and customer discovery, and offered multiple services and perks including expert-led training and coaching sessions, workshops, and mentorship by market experts.

This will be followed by dividing the startup teams into two main tracks. The TopX track will consist of 10 startups that will receive intensive entrepreneurial training in order to accelerate their growth within the subsequent 3 months, and the Frontier track, which will allow the remaining 15 to 20 startup teams to further develop their entrepreneurial learning sets and skills. The program will culminate with a showcase event, where startups will pitch their ideas and startups to a panel consisting of ESLSCA and Flat6Labs personnel.

ESLSCA took its first year of undergrad students in Egypt in 2019 and since then they have been offering accelerated, rigorous and innovative programs that allow students to move forward in a successful career. Commenting on the program, Dr. Mohamed El Essawy, BBA Program Director at ESLSCA University said, “We’re very excited to be launching this program with a partner that has such an extensive experience and track record in the entrepreneurial sector, both locally and regionally, such as Flat6Labs. At ESLSCA University, we take pride in readying our students for the modern business world in an unparalleled innovative manner, and with this program we believe we’re set to be the launchpad for the next generations of successful entrepreneurs.”

Cairo, 30 November 2021 – The DICE Program Demo Day launched in Cairo where 24 startups unveiled their remarkable products and services to investors, prospective clients and guests who were looking forward to providing additional support. This day is a culmination of all the effort and work done by the participating startups on their products and services in the past few months.

Funded by the British Council and in partnership with Flat6Labs and Hatch Ideas, the DICE program focuses on building and developing creative and innovative youth and entrepreneurs’ capabilities, encouraging them to establish innovative and social startups. The program also enables craftspeople and established startups, which provide innovative products and solutions in various sectors, such as visual arts, design, performing arts, handicrafts, movies, media, educational toys and architecture.

Hassan Mansi, the Executive Director of the DICE Program, shares “entrepreneurs of Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies (DICE) form a significant part in the structure of entrepreneurship in Egypt. They positively contribute to promoting the national economy and creating employment opportunities for the youth, especially female entrepreneurs outside Cairo. Currently, the entrepreneurs in the Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies use technology to develop and market their products and keep up with the times while maintaining their heritage at the same time. Flat6Labs is proud to be in a partnership with Hatch Ideas, our partner in the UK and the British Council, which always supports entrepreneurs in the Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies field and through other different programs. The British Council and Hatch Ideas have enriched the program with their ideas and suggestions and their distinguished speakers gave the Egyptian entrepreneurs valuable insights and feedback.

“The range, quality, and professionalism of the creative entrepreneurs on this program have been inspiring and demonstrate why we should be so excited about the massive growth and economic potential of Egypt’s Creative Economy. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Flat6Labs and British Council to deliver a program that strengthens and realizes the potential of this creative powerhouse”. Yemisi Mokuolu, Founder & CEO Hatch Ideas Worldwide

The Demo Day paved the way for a great opportunity to meet our guests who were invited from various creative industries as well as investors, notable entrepreneurs, companies, governmental entities and the media. It also created a space for sharing experiences, advice and networking opportunities through the diverse discussion sessions that addressed some of the most significant challenges that the creative and handicrafts industries face in Egypt.

“The British Council’s Inclusive and Creative Economies program has been proud to work with the unwavering support of our partners – who created the space for the co-design of policy and community-led initiatives. Together we have been able to connect 25 emerging companies from artists and entrepreneurs with policymakers, intermediaries, investors, and funders. We congratulate all and have every confidence in their success and their contribution to an inclusive and sustainable economy”, shares Elizabeth White, Director of the British Council in Egypt.

Out of 91 startups, 24 companies have qualified, and the day ended with an exciting competition for them to present their businesses to a jury where EGP 225,000 was distributed to the top 3 startups.

First Place: “Adaptive Appeal” won a monetary prize of EGP 100,000.
Second Place: “Banana Art” won a monetary prize of EGP 75,000.
Third Place: “Mavericks” won a monetary prize of EGP 50,000.