15 February 2022
ITIDA Launches ‘Open Innovation Platform’



The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) has partnered up with Plug and Play Egypt and the Economic Governance Activity (EGA), a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)- funded project, to launch the Smart Cities Open Innovation Platform in Cairo.
 
Launching the platform comes as part of the efforts of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to boost the Egyptian tech startups’ sector and cement Egypt as a hub for innovation-driven entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
 
The aim behind the platform is to bring the unrivaled tech expertise of Silicon Valley to Cairo to empower Egypt-based startups. Key focus areas in the platform include fintech, logistics, GovTech, and healthcare.
 
Around 20-30 startups will be selected to participate in the very first batch of the three-month program starting in March, covering two tracks: acceleration and incubation.
 
During the program, startups will receive free office space at Creativa Innovation Hub in Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace in Cairo. They will have the opportunity to meet and create business opportunities with top tier Egyptian corporations, investors and mentors. Other benefits include access to Plug and Play’s global network, coaching by local and international mentors and advisors, corporate workshops, frequent pitch events and a large-scale Demo Day pitch event for their graduation.
 
For non-Egyptian startups joining the program, Plug and Play’s ecosystem will make it easier to find the right partners to expand their business in the region.
 
There is no equity or capital requirement for startup participation and potential investment will be decided on between Plug and Play, the partners, and the startups individually.
 
Registration deadline is February 28. Startups can apply from here.
Copyright Ministry of Communications and Information Technology 1999-2023. All rights reserved