Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards (EEA) Launches Sixth Edition, Spotlighting the Power of Networking

Abdelrahman Amr

Last updated 20-09-2026

5 min

Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards returns for a sixth edition, with applications opening in Cairo.

This year’s theme, “Collective Momentum”, puts networking and useful introductions centre stage.

Organisers want more than a trophy, building ties for “longer-term business growth”.

Ten categories reflect Egypt’s widening startup scene, from fintech and agritech to deeptech.

A new heavyweight Advisory Board and broad partner backing aim to strengthen the ecosystem.

Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards is back for a sixth edition, with organisers opening applications during a launch event at Mazeej Balad in Cairo. The gathering brought together founders, investors, business figures and other familiar faces from Egypt’s startup scene, while also revealing this year’s award categories and a newly formed Advisory Board. For readers at Arageek who keep one eye on the region’s startup pulse, this feels like one of those fixtures that keeps growing quietly, then suddenly everyone notices.

This year, the theme is “Collective Momentum”, with a bigger push around networking and the value of the right introductions at the right time. It’s a simple idea, but spot on. In startups, one good connection can save months of a bit of a faff, whether that means finding an investor, opening a market, or just meeting someone who has made the same mistakes before. I’ve seen across MENA how these circles can genuinely shift a founder’s path, especially when the ecosystem is still maturing.

The awards have already gone through five editions recognising entrepreneurs in Egypt, and the latest round wants to go beyond the trophy itself. The wider aim is to build relationships among entrepreneurs, investors, jury members, business leaders and ecosystem partners in a way that supports longer-term business growth. That said, the recognition still matters, perhaps more than some people admit, because visibility can be a real door-opener.

Applicants need to meet a clear set of rules. At least one founder must be Egyptian, and the company must be legally registered and operating in Egypt. Businesses must have been running for at least two years and for fewer than ten. Previous applicants and finalists can apply again, but past winners may only return with a new company. Each applicant can enter only one category, and all supporting documents must be submitted. The award ceremony, where winners will be announced, is set to take place at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is, believe it or not, quite a striking backdrop for a startup event.

This year includes 10 categories, showing how broad Egypt’s entrepreneurial scene has become. They cover Arab Entrepreneur of the Year, Rising Star, Fintech Forward, Proptech, Agritech, Health & Wellbeing, Product Design, Customer Experiences in E-commerce, Deeptech, and Disruptive Duo for Market Innovations. The last one is presented by the AmCham Entrepreneurship and Innovation Committee, adding a slightly different flavour to the line-up.

Amr Mansi, Founder and CEO of ievents and Founder of Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards, said the sixth edition marks “a moment of great pride” for the team behind it. He said the stronger focus on networking reflects a belief that entrepreneurs go further when connected to the right people, opportunities and experiences. Mansi also said the platform has grown from an effort to celebrate standout Egyptian entrepreneurs into a broader community bringing together founders, investors, business leaders and partners from across the ecosystem.

The new Advisory Board, which will serve from 2025 to 2030, adds another layer to that ambition. It will be chaired by Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Chairman of Beymen Group and Founder of Bidayat. Other members include Ahmed El Alfi, Chairman of Sawari Ventures; Rania Al Mashat, former Minister of International Cooperation; Ayman Ismail, Founding Director of AUC Venture Lab; Neveen El Tahri, Chairperson of Delta Shield for Investment; Onsi Sawiris, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at HOF Capital; and Yasmine Khamis, Chairperson of Oriental Weavers Group. It’s a heavyweight mix, and I reckon that was very much the point.

The jury panels will again include local, regional and international experts from different sectors, with organisers saying the aim is a broad and thorough evaluation of innovation, growth potential and impact. On the flip side, awards processes can sometimes feel a touch formulaic, but bringing in varied expertise usually helps keep the judgement grounded in reality rather than buzzwords alone.

The programme is presented by people of now, organised by ievents, and powered by Tatweer Misr through a long-term strategic partnership. Vodafone Business is returning for a second year as Official Technology Partner. Hassan Allam Holding is the Hosting Partner, while the ceremony venue at the Grand Egyptian Museum is operated by Legacy Development and Management, a Hassan Allam Holding company. Cairo Capital joins as Official Investment Partner and EGBANK as Official Bank Partner.

Nestlé is continuing as a sustainability partner for the third straight year, and Geocycle joins as an Ecosystem Partner. Elsewhere, Startup Scene has come on board as Exclusive Media Partner, while Influence Group continues as Communications Partner after supporting the awards since the first edition. Endeavor is also joining the network of ecosystem partners, bringing its experience in backing high-impact entrepreneurs and helping companies scale.

The awards also continue their collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, alongside ecosystem partner Sage and AI Partner Helm. Well… I mean, for founders, that kind of support structure can sometimes matter more than the glamour of the night itself. Recognition is nice, definatley, but access, advice and credibility often do the heavier lifting afterwards.

Now in its sixth year, Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards seems to be leaning harder into community-building rather than just celebration. In a market where founders often need more than capital alone, that shift may prove timely. And in Egypt, where entrepreneurship keeps evolving at pace, the awards are clearly trying to stay in step with that change rather than simply clap from the sidelines.

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