In a significant move to boost tech-driven entrepreneurship in Upper Egypt, H.E. Dr. Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), has officially launched the Aswan Bootcamp Series. This innovative initiative is designed to empower startups in the region and support the growth of its entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Aswan Bootcamp Series, a collaborative effort between MCIT, ITIDA (Information Technology Industry Development Agency), USAID (United States Agency for International Development), and the global innovation platform Plug and Play, aims to strengthen Upper Egypt’s economic development. Through a series of comprehensive training sessions, the program will equip tech startups with essential skills in market development, financial management, product-market fit, and scalability, paving the way for sustainable growth.
A key goal of the bootcamp series is to bridge existing resource and network gaps in Aswan’s emerging startup landscape. By doing so, it seeks to position Aswan as a regional tech hub with a competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Building Innovation Hubs Across Egypt
In his inaugural address, Dr. Talaat highlighted MCIT’s ongoing efforts to foster digital innovation and entrepreneurship across Egypt. The ministry has committed to establishing Creative Innovation Hubs in each governorate, with a particular focus on Upper Egypt, to cultivate an environment conducive to business growth and innovation. Talaat praised the youth engagement in Aswan, noting the strong participation in the Creativa Innovation Hub, which offers a range of programs designed to nurture entrepreneurship, enhance digital skills, and prepare young people for freelancing opportunities.
He also emphasized the importance of collaboration with global partners such as Plug and Play, which supports startup ecosystems worldwide. Dr. Talaat underscored the significance of this partnership, pointing out that the Creativa Innovation Hub in Cairo had already helped numerous startups secure investment and compete in regional and international markets. This success is now set to expand to Aswan, where specialized training will be offered to over 60 startups, helping them fine-tune their business strategies, identify target markets, analyze competition, and refine their pricing models.
Commitment to Empowering Entrepreneurs
MCIT’s continued collaboration with multinational companies is a cornerstone of its strategy to empower local entrepreneurs, freelancers, and program participants. ITIDA’s CEO, Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, reiterated the agency’s dedication to supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Upper Egypt, particularly through the Creativa Innovation Hub. Since its establishment in 2020, the hub has provided services to more than 9,000 youth and entrepreneurs, helping 52 startups secure investments totaling approximately EGP 75 million.
El-Zaher expressed confidence in Upper Egypt’s potential, calling the Aswan Bootcamp Series a vital next step in strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating new job opportunities for local talent.
A Collaborative Approach to Growth
USAID Mission Director in Egypt, Sean Jones, spoke of the agency’s enthusiasm in expanding the Plug and Play program to the Aswan Creativa Innovation Hub. He emphasized that the program would provide world-class mentorship, coaching, and investment networking opportunities to Upper Egypt’s entrepreneurs, making entrepreneurship more inclusive and accessible to the region’s growing tech community.
Karima El Hakim, Country Director for Egypt at Plug and Play Tech Center, emphasized the vast talent pool and scalable market in Upper Egypt. “Supporting startups in this region through mentorship and business opportunities is at the heart of our mission,” she said. El Hakim also highlighted Plug and Play’s commitment to empowering the region’s enablers by facilitating knowledge transfer and expanding access to the organization’s extensive global network.
Program Structure and Objectives
The Aswan Bootcamp Series will consist of five eight-day, in-person bootcamps aimed at tech-enabled startups in sectors such as agri-tech, health-tech, e-commerce, gov-tech, and tourism. Each session will feature a mix of workshops and one-on-one mentoring, offering invaluable insights from industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs. Over 60 startups are expected to participate, gaining vital skills in financial management, product-market fit, scalability, and commercialization.
The program will also offer continued mentorship and networking opportunities following the bootcamp. Participants will have the chance to connect with potential investors and benefit from exposure to Cairo’s established entrepreneurial ecosystem, which could lead to collaborations and access to critical resources.
A New Hub for Global Innovation
Aswan, with its rich cultural and historical heritage, is poised to become a key player in Egypt’s tech ecosystem. The Aswan Bootcamp Series aims to capitalize on this potential, positioning the city as a global hub for innovation. A flagship event during the series will showcase startups’ innovative solutions to regional challenges and promote Aswan’s emerging role in the global tech landscape.
Additionally, the bootcamp series will include a hackathon, providing university students, recent graduates, and young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 with the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills, network, and gain exposure to the startup world.
Sustaining Growth in Upper Egypt
In a bid to ensure the longevity of the initiative, the program will also focus on knowledge transfer to the local ecosystem. Local enablers will be involved in shadowing the bootcamps, learning about the program’s methodology and structure, and gaining the skills needed to sustain similar initiatives in the future.
The initiative culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ITIDA and Plug and Play Egypt at the Creativa Innovation Hub in Aswan. This partnership, supported by USAID, marks a critical step in advancing Upper Egypt’s startup ecosystem and creating an environment conducive to long-term growth and innovation.
The event was attended by Ritu Tariyal, Deputy Mission Director of USAID Egypt, and other officials, who all expressed their enthusiasm for the project’s potential to transform the region’s tech landscape and foster inclusive economic development.
To learn more about the Aswan Bootcamp Series and its opportunities for tech startups, visit Plug and Play Tech Center’s Aswan Bootcamp Series page.
