Entrepreneurship subsidized at GAFI

Every entrepreneur knows that establishing one’s own business is a hike up an extremely challenging path. At times, a guiding hand, a piece of advice or a visionary partner are worth gold.

The General Authority for Investment (GAFI) founded Egypt’s first Startup Academy named “Bedaya” (namely: Start), as part of the efforts of its Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship and SMEs Development - a governmental effort that reaches out to Egypt's young people. In collaboration with the Middle East Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (MCSBE), the three-months-program aims to genuinely equip entrepreneurs with the skills, competencies and knowledge required to establish and run their own businesses.

Each week, mentors and instructors take entrepreneurs by the hand and bring them closer to their dream of building their own business. The program mainly focuses on how to structure a business idea and model, consumer segmentation and market research, developing one’s product, financial management and accounting principles, branding and marketing, developing corporate structure and HR-plans, legal processes and registration, and strategic thinking.

GAFI reduced the original fees by 50% per team, as part of their belief in the importance of promoting entrepreneurship in Egypt.

Applicants for the academy go through a selection process, as submitted applications are reviewed and teams are called in for separate interviews.

Besides teaching its “students” entrepreneurial skills, Bedaya Startup Academy exposes them to the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, giving them a chance to broaden their network and have access to the media.

If you have a valid idea, are determined and committed to your startup, are coachable and have a suitable team structure, do not hesitate to apply here.