News
Flat6Labs Cairo Introduces New Offering to Entrepreneurs
Flat6Labs Cairo, the leading Startup Accelerator in Egypt, now offers startups joining its 12th Accelerator Cycle launching in January 2019 a minimum of EGP 500,000 to a maximum of EGP 750,000 in cash funding. The all cash advance will help cover the startups’ early expenses and to define their product and grow their market.
Additionally, each startup will enter a customized Flat6Labs Cairo intensive four-month acceleration curriculum. Upon completion, each startup will be offered up to EGP 2 million in post-acceleration follow-on funding to match external investors.
Flat6Labs Cairo partners with the selected startups entering the acceleration program in exchange for 10% equity.
Flat6Labs Cairo startups that meet predefined criteria by a designated social impact committee are also nominated to receive grant funding of up to $25,000 each, and support for teams joining the program from outside Cairo will also be offered in the form of a monthly stipend of EGP 5K per team per month for the duration of the program.
This is with the support of StartEgypt, a startup initiative funded by the UK government, supported by the IFC and powered by Flat6Labs to inspire, incubate and support Egyptian entrepreneurs and social impact enterprises.
“Being in close contact and on the ground with innovative Egyptian entrepreneurs, catering for their different needs and understanding what their varying challenges are has always been what Flat6Labs Cairo is all about” said Ramez El-Serafy CEO of Flat6Labs.
“With up to EGP 750,000 in cash funding, up to EGP 2 million in follow-on funding, grant funding of up to $25,000 to eligible startups with the support of StartEgypt, alongside a solid acceleration program and a stellar and experienced local team, Flat6Labs Cairo is now proud to offer an even more attractive package than before for visionary Egyptian entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses in Egypt and MENA” added El-Serafy.
Flat6Labs Cairo’s program team is accredited and licensed for Central European Design Standards & Global ISO guidelines for Innovation Management Systems, allowing teams to empower a deeper handling of business cases to truly compete amongst the most innovative startups in the region and further extended their networks and expand globally.
Flat6Labs Cairo is funded by the Flat6Labs Accelerator Company (FAC). With a fund size of EGP 100m.
FAC is investing in up to 100 early-stage startups and 300+ entrepreneurs, during its 5 years investment period, FAC alongside its notable investors- the International Finance Corporation, MSME Development Agency, Egyptian American Enterprise Fund, and Egypt Ventures; aim to have a rapid impact on value creation and passionate entrepreneurs, and their support is what has made Flat6Labs Cairo’s activities and operations possible.
Flat6Labs Cairo has received more than 4,000 startup applications to date. 80+ investments have been made over 11 cycles, with 200+ entrepreneurs trained and supported by the program. The local Flat6Labs Cairo network encompasses 300+ local and international mentors and coaches and 100+ corporate, governmental and ecosystem partners.
Flat6Labs Cairo portfolio companies have thus far raised EGP 55M in follow-on funding and directly and indirectly helped create more than 500 high-impact jobs.
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.
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.
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
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.
-
Startups9 years ago3 Creative Egyptian Women Who Master E-commerce
-
News9 years ago11 Talented Egyptian Photographers on Instagram
-
Campaigns8 years agoVodafone Egypt Brings Generations Together, Unlocks 4G Power
-
Marketing8 years agoWhich categories will suffer most from increased prices in Egypt?
-
Apps8 years agoRadio Garden Live Map of The Globe’s Radio Stations
-
News8 years agoTop 10 Egyptian Fashionistas to Follow on Instagram
-
Campaigns8 years ago7 Big Stats That Show Which Ramadan Advertisements Resonated Most
-
Opinion8 years agoF*** Being a Founder, Be a Follower