Egypt’s ITIDA Scales Up Tech Startup Incubation with AI-Driven Perks and Increased Funding
Egypt’s Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), an affiliate of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), has launched the 47th round of its flagship Start IT incubation program. The program now offers its most extensive support package to date, targeting early-stage startups with scalable ICT-based solutions or tech-enabled prototypes addressing real-world challenges.
The enhanced program reflects ITIDA’s broader strategy to strengthen Egypt’s digital economy and empower its expanding startup ecosystem. “The launch of the new round of the Start IT incubation program — enhanced with an expanded benefits package — reflects our continued commitment to supporting Egypt’s tech startups’ innovation-driven entrepreneurship,” said Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA.
Key updates to the program include:
- Increased support: The value of financial and in-kind benefits has risen from EGP 180,000 to EGP 480,000, enabling startups to fast-track product development and go-to-market execution.
- Cloud infrastructure credits: Amazon Web Services (AWS) support has doubled to USD 10,000, offering startups access to world-class cloud computing tools and infrastructure.
- Exclusive perks: The new Start IT Perks platform provides partner-led discounts and services, helping founders optimize costs and streamline operations.
- Talent acquisition support: TIEC has partnered with various firms to offer tailored recruitment services to address hiring challenges among early-stage ventures.
- AI-focused enablement: Startups will gain access to expert-led AI training and personalized consultancy, aligning with Egypt’s strategic priorities for digital transformation and tech capacity building.
To be eligible, startups must demonstrate a working ICT-based prototype addressing current or emerging market demands. Selection criteria include economic viability, sustainability, scalability, and the commitment of a full-time founding team. Projects led by part-time undergraduate students or those simultaneously incubated by other programs will not be eligible.
Accepted startups benefit from a 12-month incubation period at TIEC centers across Egypt, which provide fully equipped workspaces and access to technical and business mentorship, hardware/software support, and go-to-market resources. Since its establishment in 2010, TIEC has played a central role in cultivating Egypt’s innovation landscape through various incubation, acceleration, and capacity-building programs.
