Category: News

Cairo, Egypt – November 4th, 2024 — The Minister of Communications and Information Technology in Egypt, Dr. Amr Talaat, has attended the launch of “InvestIT,” a program aimed at supporting tech startups. The program is a joint effort by the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC) of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) and Flat6Labs, the prominent seed and early-stage venture capital firm in the MEA region.

InvestIT is an innovative investment-readiness support program that supports ICT-enabled startups at the seed or pre-series A stages from various governorates across Egypt. The program is designed to empower startups to finalize investment deals successfully. By fostering a supportive ecosystem, InvestIT helps startups navigate the complex landscape of investment and growth.
The program is implemented in two phases. First is the Preparation Phase, which involves qualifying startups through training, one-on-one coaching, essential tools, and resources. The second is Investor Engagement, where startups are connected with potential investors.

In his remarks, the ICT Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for tech startups and entrepreneurs. He outlined several initiatives aimed at skill development for entrepreneurs, attracting global incubators and accelerators, connecting startups with investors, and establishing Creativa Innovation Hubs across the country. Such efforts are aimed at helping entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into successful businesses.

Talaat also emphasized efforts to facilitate startup registration and simplify post-establishment processes, along with significant investments in digital infrastructure. Additionally, he noted that Egypt ranks among the top three countries in the Middle East and Africa in terms of venture capital attraction.

ITIDA CEO Ahmed Elzaher expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Flat6Labs as part of the Agency’s commitment to enhancing and accelerating the growth of Egyptian startups. He emphasized the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem that boosts startups’ global competitiveness. Elzaher noted that the InvestIT program is part of ITIDA strategy to assist entrepreneurs at every stage, from initial idea development to growth and expansion into international markets.

For his part, Founder and Chairman of Flat6Labs Hany Al Sonbaty emphasized his company’s ongoing support for innovative Egyptian entrepreneurs, a commitment that dates back to 2011. He explained that InvestIT is designed not only to prepare startups for investment but also to equip them with essential tools and a network of connections to help them expand their businesses. Al Sonbaty reaffirmed Flat6Labs’ dedication to fostering a vibrant business environment through collaboration with ITIDA and TIEC, aiming to empower startups and enable them to create a meaningful impact in the Egyptian IT landscape.

The program implementation contracts were signed by Elzaher and Al Sonbaty, with the presence of Flat6Labs Founder Ahmed El Alfi, CIO Dina El Shenoufy, and officials from MCIT and TIEC.

InvestIT will support 12 startups through a six to eight-week program that helps startups develop investment-related strategies and pitch their businesses to investors. Upon completion of the program, the startups will have the opportunity to connect with potential investors, with continuous support and guidance from the program team.

The program is open to ICT-enabled startups at the seed or pre-series A stages, with a launched product or service. Startups must be operational in Egypt for at least two years before the program’s starting date, with the founding team consisting of two or more members.

For applications, kindly click here.

• The Demo Day, held in collaboration with Flat6Labs, marked the closing of the second edition of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program

• Eight start-ups from the UAE, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, and Poland presented their women’s health solutions to a panel of industry experts

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 15 October 2024: Eight pioneering start-ups who participated in the second edition of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program, attended Organon’s Demo Day during the ‘Expand North Star’ event at Dubai Harbour, hosted by GITEX Global. This initiative, a collaboration between Organon, a leading global healthcare company dedicated to improving women’s health, and Flat6Labs, MENA’s premier seed and early-stage venture capital firm, aims to address unmet women’s healthcare needs across the region. This year’s edition was launched on March 8, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The Demo Day saw shortlisted startups from the UAE, Lebanon, Egypt, Poland and Tunisia pitch solutions that exemplify the remarkable innovation and potential impact on women’s health that the accelerator program aims to foster. Over the course of the program, these start-ups have benefitted from an array of resources provided by the program, including strategic mentorship, entrepreneurship-focused business training, subject matter one-to-one sessions, and a multitude of services from partners.

In the session, the shortlisted start-ups pitched their innovations to an esteemed judging panel comprising Dina el-Shenoufy, Chief Investment Officer at Flat6Labs; Ramy Koussa, Associate Vice President of META at Organon; Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Centre at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; and Lyndal Cordaro, Head of Nursing at King’s College Hospital London – UAE.

iYoni, an innovative mobile app offering precise AI-based fertility predictions, automated lab test assessments, and advice from fertility experts, took first-place and received a prize of 15,000 USD. In her pitch, Katarzyna Goch, CEO of iYoni, outlined her ambitious plans to expand to the UAE market.
Taking the second-place prize of 10,000 USD was Noor Jaber, CEO of Nawat from Lebanon, a digital platform offering holistic reproductive health education and breaking the taboo around women’s health issues in the region. In third place and receiving a 5,000 USD prize was Banet from Tunisia, an app that empowers women with reliable health information and provides women with direct access to healthcare professionals for their health and wellness needs.

Among the other innovative projects presented at the event was Yotto from the UAE, a platform optimizing female athletes’ performance through hormonal monitoring, addressing a significant gap in sports science. Another UAE-based startup, Mamahood, introduced a comprehensive support system for women during fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood, offering a 24/7 live chat with doctors and a supportive community. Me-Now, also from the UAE, aims to guide women through perimenopause and menopause, ensuring they receive the necessary support and understanding during these transitions.

In addition, several other startups showcased their groundbreaking solutions, addressing critical subjects in women’s health in the region. InBalance, an initiative from Lebanon, outlined their app that offers personalized AI-powered treatments for PCOS patients, aiming to naturally improve health outcomes. The Aziza App from Egypt, tailored specifically for Egyptian women, was also presented, providing meaningful menstrual health tracking and management.

Speaking at the opening session of the Demo Day, Ramy Koussa, Associate Vice President of META at Organon, said, “The Women’s Health Accelerator Program has been a remarkable journey of innovation and collaboration. We are incredibly proud of the startups that participated and the groundbreaking solutions they have developed. Inspired by the success of this program, we were thrilled to launch the second edition, aiming to enhance our support by empowering women economically and fostering new ideas that enhance women’s health. At Organon, we believe that addressing women’s health needs is essential for building resilient and thriving communities. This program is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation that directly impacts women’s lives.”

Dina el-Shenoufy, Chief Investment Officer at Flat6Labs, said, “Supporting founders in the Femtech industry is critical to advancing -not only women’s healthcare- but also driving broader economic growth. Through programs like Women’s Health Accelerator, we ensure that female founders receive the tools and resources they need to succeed and make a meaningful impact on women’s lives. We are proud of all the startups who participated in this program; they showed us how the next generation of female leaders are focused on addressing the unmet needs in women’s health.”

Katarzyna Goch, CEO of the winning start-up iYoni, commented, “Participating in the women’s health accelerator program was an outstanding experience. From the very beginning, we connected with experts who provided invaluable advice that I can implement both now and in the future.”

The accelerator program, initiated shortly after Organon’s expansion into the region, represents a pioneering ESG initiative that underscores Organon’s dedication to addressing women’s health needs. This program, aligned with Organon’s mission to enhance the lives of women and girls through improved health outcomes, was meticulously crafted to bolster female entrepreneurship and support digital health startups.

Shell Intilaaqah Egypt Programme will support & influence more than 1000 young entrepreneurs per year through matchmaking, boot camps & incubation.

Cairo, Egypt – 22 July 2024 – Shell Egypt is excited to announce the relaunch of the Shell Intilaaqah Egypt Programme, in collaboration with Flat6Labs. This initiative is part of flagship enterprise development global programme Shell LiveWIRE, and aims to empower and support over 1,000 aspiring entrepreneurs in Egypt. The programme is dedicated to fostering innovative solutions to address global challenges through fostering entrepreneurship.

For nearly two decades, the Shell Intilaaqah Egypt Programme has been a beacon of innovation and growth, nurturing over 10,000 youth across the nation and contributing to the establishment and scaling of approximately 200 startups. The programme has not only spread awareness about entrepreneurship, but have also supported many individuals in starting new businesses and expanding existing ones.
Dalia Elgabry, Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Egypt commented: “As a responsible investor, Shell Egypt has a long-standing history of supporting our local communities through impactful Social Investment (SI) programmes.

These initiatives are designed to create sustainable benefits for our stakeholders, addressing some of the most pressing challenges we face today. We are proud to support the community through pioneering capacity-building programmes like Shell Intilaaqah. Together in collaboration with Flat6Labs, we are committed to creating significant opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs, providing them with the necessary support to overcome challenges and succeed in their entrepreneurial journey.”

Shell LiveWIRE, operates in 20 countries to strengthen local economies through entrepreneurship, innovation, and meaningful employment. The Shell Intilaaqah Egypt Programme will leverage this global experience to support and train more than 1,000 entrepreneurs per year through a series of matchmaking, ideation, bootcamps & incubators. The most promising 240 teams or ideas from these sessions will be selected to participate in the Bright Ideas Bootcamp Training. From these, the top-performing 40 teams will be invited to join the 3-month Intilaaqah Incubation cycle, across two cycles per year.

Hany Al-Sonbaty, Co-founder and Chairmanof Flat6Labs added: “Flat6Labs is thrilled to collaborate with Shell Egypt and become their social investment delivery and innovation partner in the country. This collaboration in relaunching the Shell Intilaaqah Egypt Programme will create significant opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs, providing them with the necessary resources and mentorship to turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.”

The programme will inspire the Egyptian youth through hybrid ideation and matchmaking sessions, training them on how to ignite their startup journey via eight bootcamp cohorts, select the teams to participate in the 3-month Intilaaqah Incubation Cycle, and spotlight three winning projects during Intilaaqah Annual Award Ceremony.

Flat6Labs will implement the Shell Intilaaqah Egypt Programme and help tailor it to support entrepreneurs in defining their mission, vision, and initial strategy, helping them build a pipeline and raise awareness about entrepreneurial opportunities. Selected participants will attend workshops delivered by subject matter experts, providing them with access to globally tested and successful startup practices. The programme will focus on empowering the next generation of young people to become innovative entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills to identify market needs and develop solutions to specific challenges facing the Egyptian economy.

Shell Egypt’s social investment programmes contribute to the delivery of Egypt’s 2030 Strategy Goals and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Shell Egypt delivers a portfolio of programmes in collaboration with partners such as Ministry of Petroleum, Egyptian universities, The National Training Academy, and the World Food Program

Celebrating International Women’s Day: Empowering Female-Led Innovation in Healthcare

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 29 February 2024: Organon, a global healthcare company dedicated to improving women’s health, in partnership with Flat6Labs, MENA’s leading seed and early-stage venture capital firm, is thrilled to announce the launch of the second cycle of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program. Building on the success of the inaugural cycle and the incredible momentum witnessed across the region, this initiative aims to empower digital health startups with solutions to enhance women’s health across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region.

The second cycle will hone in on three main focus sectors critical to women’s health:
Family Planning: Technologies Enhancing Contraception Counseling and Education and Awareness of Tools and Options.
Fertility Planning: Solutions for IVF Mental Health Support and Counseling.
Women’s Wellness: Innovations in Self & Maternal Care, Disease Prevention, and Menstrual Health.

The overarching objective of this accelerator program is to address specific challenges faced by women in the region concerning their health, aiming to find sustainable and long-term solutions. The focus will be on identifying and supporting digital solutions that can help improve accessibility, empower individuals, and enhance overall quality of well-being, ultimately advancing women’s healthcare in the areas identified. This year’s program will target startups operating in several countries, including Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, KSA, and the UAE. The majority of these countries have established Organon & Flat6Labs offices, with both entities having local partners in these geographies.

The initiative aims to accelerate the growth of 15 startups, and engage with various stakeholders, ultimately graduating startups that are ready to launch and address current challenges in women’s health. Additionally, the program will include virtual and on-ground community events such as info sessions, roadshows, pitchathons, and webinars to strengthen outreach, scouting, and selection efforts.

The second cycle of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program introduces enhanced program offerings. These offerings include:
In-Depth Training: Startups will receive specialized training in business and technical aspects, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.
Mentorship and Guidance: Participants will benefit from mentorship provided by industry experts, connecting them to a vast network of local and international mentors, investors, and corporates.
Exposure to Stakeholders: Startups will have unique opportunities for exposure to key stakeholders, enhancing their visibility and creating valuable connections within the industry.
Regional Business Support: Access to a regional network across the region and support with market expansion.

Commenting on the program’s second cycle, Ramy Koussa, Associate Vice President, Organon, Middle East North Africa & Turkey (MENAT), stated, “Investing in women’s health shows positive return on investment (ROI): for every $1 invested, ~$3 is projected in economic growth. Investing in improving women’s health not only improves women’s quality of life but also enables them to participate more actively in the workforce and make a living. The potential value created through women’s higher economic participation and productivity exceeds the costs of implementation by a ratio of $3 to $1 globally. Launching the second cycle of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing women’s health in the MENAT region. We are excited to deepen our partnership with Flat6Labs and continue listening to the needs of women, identifying innovative solutions that foster a better and healthier every day for her. This cycle is a testament to our sustained dedication to collaboration, innovation, and the empowerment of women-led startups in the digital healthcare space.”

Yehia Houry, Chief Programs Officer at Flat6Labs, emphasized the importance of supporting female entrepreneurs and advancing women’s healthcare, stating, “As we embark on the second cycle of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program, we are thrilled to amplify our support for female entrepreneurs shaping the future of women’s healthcare. This initiative is not just about innovation; it’s about empowering visionary minds to create lasting impact. Our ongoing partnership with Organon and the evolving focus of this cycle reaffirm our commitment to fostering a dynamic ecosystem for women-led startups. Together, we aim to revolutionize the healthcare landscape, ensuring it reflects the diverse and nuanced needs of women across the MENAT region.”

In the accelerator program’s first cycle, we witnessed the remarkable achievements of three standout startups that were announced as the winners: “OMGYNO” founded by Doreen Toutikian and Elisabeth Milini in Greece and Lebanon, “Siira” founded by Sandra Salame in Lebanon, and “Maternally” founded by Yasmin El Mouallem in the UAE. These visionary companies have not only demonstrated innovation and excellence but have also become integral parts of our ecosystem. As we embark on the second cycle, we are thrilled to welcome these winners back into the fold. Their invaluable insights, experiences, and successes will serve as guiding lights for the new cohort of startups, enriching the program with their expertise and contributing to its continued success.

For more information about the Women’s Health Accelerator Program’s second cycle and the application process, please visit our website here. The applications close on May 16, 2024.