Plug and Play and the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) announced their partnership with USAID’s Economic Governance Activity to launch an open innovation platform for start-ups focusing on digital transformation.
The platform is expected to bring the unrivalled tech expertise of Silicon Valley to Cairo.
Applications are now open for Plug and Play Egypt’s Smart Cities hub. The ventures team of Plug and Play and executives from both founding partners will select 20-30 Egypt based companies that will go through a 3-month in-person programme spanning over two tracks — incubation and acceleration — that will start in March 2022.
“We’re delighted to open the call for entries to our Smart Cities innovation hub in Egypt. The start-up scene in Africa and Egypt is growing by leaps and bounds, and we’re thrilled to partake in this dynamic and support future-forward ideas and solutions by creating an enabling environment for the tech- and innovation-driven projects in the region,” said Aziz Al-Hachem, the Director of Plug and Play Egypt.
During the three-month programme, start-ups will receive free office space at the Creativa Innovation Hub in Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace in Cairo, where they will have the opportunity to meet and create business opportunities with top tier Egyptian corporations, investors, and mentors.
Other benefits include access to Plug and Play’s global network, coaching by local and international mentors and advisers, corporate workshops, frequent pitch events, and a large-scale demo day pitch event for their graduation.
For non-Egyptian start-ups joining the program, Plug and Play’s ecosystem will make it easier to find the right partners to expand their business in the region.
There is no equity or capital requirement for start-ups to participate, and potential investment will be decided on between Plug and Play, the partners, and the start-ups individually.
As part of the platform’s mission, Plug and Play Egypt and its founding partners have defined key verticals and tech focuses of interest. Start-ups with solutions in Fintech, Logistics, Govtech, and Healthcare should apply before 28 February.
