Startups in Egypt have increased chances of securing investments, courtesy of increased appetites of investors towards the country’s startup ecosystem. Joining a host of supports available to startups in the country is a new set of programs to be organised by the Western European country of the Netherlands. According to latest announcement he Embassy of the Netherlands in Egypt will start accepting applications from startups for its “Orange Corners” entrepreneurial programme in Cairo and Assiut late July or early August.

“We are excited to be partnering with the Embassy of the Netherlands in Egypt and Outreach Egypt on bringing the Orange Corners initiative to Egypt, as it is perfectly aligned with the vision of Cultiv in providing a platform for innovators and entrepreneurs in a diverse number of fields,” Hesham Wahby, Chief Executive Officer at Cultiv, one of the facilitators of the event said. 

Here Is What You Need To Know

• Each programme will provide repeating six-month entrepreneurial training cycles for 15 entrepreneurs at a time. 
• The initiative, set to begin in September, includes incubation programmes. It looks to provide young entrepreneurs in Egypt with training, networks, and facilities they need to start and grow their businesses.
• Each programme will provide repeating six-month entrepreneurial training cycles for 15 entrepreneurs at a time, providing special attention to self-starters in agriculture and the creative sector. The programme is set to ensure a minimum of 50% participation from female entrepreneurs.

“The Netherlands promotes an ambitious aid, trade and investment policy aimed at finding win-win solutions globally, and entrepreneurship plays a vital role by contributing to innovation and the reduction of unemployment,” Laurens Westhoff, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Egypt, said. 

“Above all, they create their own job instead of seeking for one, and Orange Corners provides support to these entrepreneurs in developing their ideas and personal skills,” the ambassador added.

Read also: Here Are Reasons Egypt’s Startup Ecosystem Is Booming

• The entrepreneurial training in Egypt will be carried out by Egyptian service providers Cultiv in Cairo and Outreach Egypt in Upper Egypt.

“We look forward to supporting entrepreneurs who want to develop successful and sustainable businesses while making a real impact on their community and the Egyptian economy,” Wahby said, adding that Orange Corners Egypt is set to bring a greatly needed element of working with early-stage startups in the idea and prototyping stage.

“We are offering a creative environment for entrepreneurs to network with like-minded individuals and to start and grow their businesses through a state-of-the art facility and co-working space in Assiut. We will be supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Upper Egypt, and providing opportunities for youth to turn their innovative ideas into sustainable businesses,” Dalia El Nazer, Business Development Director & Co-Founder of Outreach Egypt, said. 

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer