ITIDA, Plug & Play sign MoU to empower 60 tech startups in Upper Egypt

The signing ceremony, held at the Creativa Innovation Hub in Aswan, was attended by Amr Talaat, minister of communications and information technology; Ahmed Elzaher, CEO of ITIDA; Karima El Hakim, country director of Egypt at Plug and Play Tech Centre; and Ritu Tariyal, deputy mission director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

This project aligns with Egypt's plan to become a global hub in technology innovation, with initiatives aimed at growing the industry, cultivating tech talent and digital skills, and boosting Egypt's competitiveness on the global stage.

Under this MoU, several bootcamps will be held in Aswan.

The Aswan Bootcamp Series, a key component of this collaboration, is designed to position Aswan as an emerging tech hub in Upper Egypt, leveraging the city's cultural and historical significance to foster global connections.

This initiative, supported by USAID and Plug and Play Tech Centre, aims to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the region, drive economic development, and equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to scale their businesses.

The program will focus on startups in agri-tech, health-tech, e-commerce, gov-tech, and tourism, providing them with essential skills in market development, financial management, product-market fit, commercialization, and scalability. The bootcamps will prepare these startups for long-term success through hands-on workshops and personalised mentoring.

Each of the five bootcamps will last eight days and feature one-on-one sessions with experienced mentors and founders.

After the bootcamps, participants will receive ongoing mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to potential investors.

They will also gain access to Cairo's well-established entrepreneurial ecosystem, expanding their network and helping to build valuable connections that could lead to future partnerships and resources.

The bootcamps will also include a hackathon for university students, recent graduates, and young adults (aged 18 to 35), encouraging youth entrepreneurship and innovation in Upper Egypt.

This initiative aims to provide participants with opportunities to learn, network, and build skills in a supportive environment. Additionally, local enablers will be trained on the programme's approach, ensuring that the knowledge and strategies developed will benefit the local community in the long term.

Minister Talaat emphasized that MCIT is working to establish Creative Innovation Hubs across the country, focusing on Upper Egypt, to create an environment conducive to digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, Elzaher expressed pride in ITIDA's ongoing efforts in Aswan through the Creativa Innovation Hub, which has supported over 9,000 youth, entrepreneurs, and teams and resulted in 52 startups securing investments totalling around EGP 75 million.

He also highlighted that the Aswan Bootcamp Series continues ITIDA's mission to create new job opportunities and support the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

For her part, Karima El Hakim noted that Upper Egypt presents both a scalable market and a wealth of talent.

She emphasized Plug and Play’s commitment to supporting the region’s founders by providing practical guidance, business development tools, and funding opportunities.

She also highlighted the importance of empowering local enablers and creating stronger connections from Aswan to the global market without the need to pass through the capital.

Through this collaboration, ITIDA and Plug and Play aim to harness the untapped potential of Upper Egypt’s young, innovative entrepreneurs, helping them transform their ideas into competitive, thriving businesses.