• Egypt launches “Egypt Innovate” national digital platform
• Platform connects 780 entities and 81,000 users
• Aims to boost funding access, innovation ecosystem coordination

On Thursday, February 12, Egypt unveiled "Egypt Innovate" in Cairo, the country's first fully integrated national digital platform for innovation and entrepreneurship. The launch took place during the AI Everything Middle East & Africa exhibition at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, with delegations from over 30 countries in attendance.

Developed and operated by a consortium led by Entlaq, alongside partners Robusta and Kamelizer, the platform establishes a public-private alliance designed to unite startups, investors, universities, research centers, and public institutions within a single digital ecosystem.

Ahmed ElZaher, CEO of ITIDA, explained that the platform supports the national strategy to build a knowledge-based economy by using data and advanced technologies to drive sustainable growth. It aims to facilitate funding access through a dynamic database that showcases young companies' business models and value propositions, while elevating Egypt's entrepreneurial ecosystem on regional and international stages.

The platform places particular emphasis on Arabic-language content, which authorities view as essential for digital inclusion and local skills development. Officials believe that providing technical and entrepreneurial resources in founders' native language broadens access to opportunities and reinforces Egypt's standing as a regional innovation hub.

Following its pilot phase, Egypt Innovate now connects 780 entities, including startups, investors, incubators, and research centers, and hosts over 3,700 pieces of sector-specific content. The community comprises more than 81,000 registered users, supported by a network of expert advisors.

The platform's functionality centers on data-driven and AI-powered tools: a digital assistant, an interactive ecosystem map, an automated matching system linking startups with investors, and a learning center offering training, mentorship, and entrepreneurial simulations. A self-verification mechanism, where entities directly update their own information, helps ensure data reliability and accuracy.

Egypt Innovate joins multiple existing initiatives aimed at structuring and financing the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem, which ranks among the region's most dynamic. In 2025, Egyptian startups raised nearly $614 million in venture capital and debt financing, according to the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation. This figure reflects growing investor confidence. Within this context, Egypt Innovate seeks to strengthen stakeholder coordination and streamline funding access in an increasingly mature market.

Samira Njoya