Bridging the gap between industry and academia, the incubator has emerged as a catalyst for research, hands-on learning, and entrepreneurial ventures.

The AUC Innovation Hub (AUC iHub), an initiative of the American University in Cairo (AUC), serves as a bridge between industry and academia to foster innovation. It facilitates industrial collaborations, interdisciplinary research, and hands-on learning, creating an environment conducive to the emergence of new ideas and technologies.

The iHub provides industrial partners with privileged access to the innovative perspectives of AUC faculty members and talented students, allowing the industry to shape and leverage university research for the development and validation of products and services. This collaboration opens up new avenues for innovation.

Through internships and in-class projects, AUC's creative and enterprising students engage with industry pioneers, addressing real-world business challenges. Additionally, the hub facilitates collaborations between academia and industry to transform research outcomes into marketable innovations and new technologies, meeting the evolving needs and desires of global consumers.

AUC alumni seeking to establish their businesses are given priority access as iHub members, connecting them with an international network of companies, start-ups, experienced AUC faculty, and a pool of student talent, providing a fertile ground for growth and innovation.

The iHub also organizes collaborative event series such as Innovation in Action, with an upcoming conference featuring a leading figure in fintech. Furthermore, it has launched initiatives like the Design Thinking Challenge and the Innovation Sprint in partnership with various organizations, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The AUC Innovation Hub's efforts align with the Reuters style, providing a clear and objective overview of its activities and initiatives.

Melchior Koba

A Moroccan entrepreneur specializing in technology, he brings a unique perspective on the movement of people through his company Seiki. By providing accurate data and in-depth analysis, he offers valuable insights for decision-making across various sectors.

Jaafar Elalamy (photo) is a Moroccan serial entrepreneur who specializes in technology. He is the co-founder and CEO of Seiki, a company that specializes in mobility intelligence. Seiki was founded in France in 2022 and is a subsidiary of LaTour Media Group (LMG), a communications company with operations in France, Belgium, Italy, and the UK.

Through Seiki, a mobility intelligence company based in France, Elalamy addresses the challenge of accurately predicting movement: "Knowing who moves, where, when, and why is crucial for many industries, but remains difficult to assess," he noted in 2023.

The platform analyzes mobility data to inform strategic decisions for retailers, transport agencies, businesses, and others. Its services range from optimizing network expansion to designing smart cities by forecasting population movement. It also reports congestion rates and establishes mobility profiles.

Before his venture with Seiki, Elalamy joined the LTMG Group in 2019 as a member of the Executive Committee. He held multiple roles within the group, including CTO, CMO, and CIO of Adriver, the group’s media agency.

Prior to joining the group, he co-founded three companies: PeersUp, a technology solution that helps human resources managers simplify access to information for their teams; Street4Fit, a company that organizes sports sessions for major groups and start-ups; and Bonapart, a company that connects homeowners with tenants.

His academic credentials include a master’s degree in computer science and data science from Compiègne University of Technology (2016) and a master’s degree in entrepreneurial studies from HEC Paris (2017). His professional career kicked off in 2012 at Hermès as an engineering intern. He later joined Référence One, a marketing and communications consultancy, as an assistant to the director in Morocco in 2014. His experience also includes a stint as a trainee software engineer at Siemens (2015) and a role as an innovation manager and data science trainee at Amadeus IT Group.

In 2020, Forbes France named Elalamy one of the 30 personalities under 30 who made an impact in entrepreneurship/innovation. In 2023, he was named by the magazine Ceux qui font l'Afrique as one of the under-30 individuals leaving an international impact in Africa.

Melchior Koba

Nestled in the heart of Pretoria, South Africa, Botlhale Village is carving a niche as a leading center for innovation and progress in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

Botlhale Village, an initiative of Belgium Campus, serves as a knowledge creation and sharing hub focused on advancing information and communication technologies in South Africa. It operates as an incubator where research students collaborate with startups, leading to the emergence of new projects and the creation of startups, thereby enhancing the knowledge and systems developed within the center.

The village offers various services, including customized software development and an internship program that provides specialized assistance to South African companies. Its incubator provides support, mentoring, and resources to startups, offering office space, access to funding opportunities, assistance with business planning, and networking events.

Furthermore, students at Botlhale Village organize conferences to showcase their academic achievements and innovative projects, attracting a diverse audience. These events serve as a platform for idea exchange, fostering collaborations, and exploring growth and partnership opportunities.

In addition to the Belgium Campus, Botlhale Village is supported by several other institutions and companies, including Ericsson, Altron Healthtech, Vodacom, and Cape Town Creative Academy. The research conducted at this innovation and incubation hub aims to serve citizens' needs in terms of learning and teaching.

Melchior Koba

Leveraging his background in electrical engineering, the entrepreneur focuses on developing technology with a significant social impact. Through his educational technology company, he equips users with the skills and support needed to thrive in the job market.

Allan Mushabe, a Ugandan entrepreneur based in South Africa, is gaining attention in the edtech sector with his startup, Lightbulb EdTech. Established in 2015, the company seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping its users, ranging from corporate entities to educational institutions, with the skills and support needed to secure sustainable job opportunities.

Lightbulb EdTech's platform is a managed, personalized, mobile, and cloud-based learning management system that offers online access to expert resources. Currently, the platform has over 30,000 active users and creates and manages engaging virtual learning environments tailored to the specific needs of its users.

In addition to his role at Lightbulb EdTech, Mushabe has served as the Director of Vargatex since 2012. Vargatex is a company that develops and manages the deployment of turnkey information and communication technology (ICT) solutions for businesses and educational establishments. Their services include software development, business process optimization, and the procurement, configuration, and deployment of ICT hardware.

Mushabe's journey into the tech industry commenced after he obtained a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town in 2009. He began his career as a technical product developer at Telkom and later worked as a business development consultant at Internet Solutions in 2011. 

Melchior Koba