News
Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program
![Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Logo-Variations-10-scaled-1.jpg)
Facebook has announced today that the Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) has joined the 2020 cycle of the Community Accelerator program, a six-months program designed to help community leaders quickly and strategically achieve their growth goals.
16 months in; EPN grew to become a vital and interactive space for professional minds to meet, share, collaborate and support each other, it has also become more than an “Egyptian” Group.
![Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Copy-of-9Z8A9077-1.jpg)
Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN)
Within less than two years, the community has quickly grew to become a safe and trusted space for members (dubbed EPNers) to create new, meaningful connections and make a positive impact on each other’s professional lives through collaboration, knowledge sharing, peer-to-peer support and building new partnerships.
Mona El-Kheshen, EPN Founder explains “The group began as a Facebook group in March 2019 with the vision of creating a safe, trusted and collaborative community that connects success driven Egyptian professionals, regardless of where they live in the world or what profession they are in. We believe that bringing together the best of Egyptian talent in one community, unlocks limitless opportunities for growth for all our members, both on the personal and professional levels. Through EPN, we aim to celebrate and showcase Egyptian success, and nurture and empower Egyptian talent to achieve their full potential.
![Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/0F7A1838-scaled-1.jpg)
Mona El-Kheshen, Founder of EPN
When asked how the Facebook Community Accelerator program fits in EPN’s vision, She adds
“Being selected to take part in the first ever Facebook Community Accelerator program, amongst some of the most inspiring communities we have ever seen in the world, is a truly special moment for EPN. We know our community is special because of our members are special, every day we see our members (EPNers) come together in such a unique, collaborative and impactful way, and now we are so happy that this unique culture of EPN is being recognized and supported on such a global scale by Facebook, the world’s largest community platform.”
The Facebook Community Accelerator Program offers participants “A program to equip impactful communities with the training, mentorship and funds to grow.” Which entails Facebook- working with GlobalGiving- to fund participants’ approved growth plans. Up to $3 million total will be awarded to program participants. Selected participants will each receive up to $30k to execute their growth plans during the 6-month program and could be eligible to receive part of the $500K additional funding available at the end of the program to further grow their communities and impact.
![Egyptian Professionals Network (EPN) joins the Facebook Community Accelerator Program](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/fady-es-2-scaled-1.jpg)
Fady Younan, Co-Founder
For Co-Founder and Community Leader, Fady Younan, this means major growth for the Egyptian Professionals Network.
“Taking part in the Facebook accelerator program will help EPN grow on so many levels. This will help us evolve from a Facebook group into a community startup, which is an essential step to ensure EPN becomes sustainable so that it can serve its members for many years to come. Over the next 6 months, we will use all the hands-on training, mentorship and funding we are getting to help us deploy new ways of achieving our core objectives: enabling meaningful connections amongst community members and providing an environment where members can make a positive impact both within and outside our community.” He says.
News
Saudi Fintech Lendo Signs MOU with J.P. Morgan
![Saudi Startup Lendo Joins Forces with J.P. Morgan to Enhance SME Financing](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Lendo-x-JP-Morgan-MOU.png)
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
News
TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool
![**TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making**](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/antethink-ta-telecom.png)
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
![TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/antethink-screenshot-800x450.png)
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
News
GoDaddy’s Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt’s E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028
![GoDaddy's Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt's E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Selina-Bieber-the-Senior-Director-of-Global-Markets-at-GoDaddy.webp)
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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