ICSB Global 2025: Innovation Unleashed in the Heart of Cairo

The world’s leading entrepreneurship and small business congress celebrates 70 years of impact with a landmark event at the crossroads of ancient heritage and modern innovation

The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) is set to make history with its 2025 World Congress in Cairo, Egypt, from November 24-28, 2025. Hosted at the prestigious American University in Cairo, this milestone event marks seven decades of ICSB’s unwavering commitment to advancing entrepreneurship and small business development worldwide.

Leading this landmark congress is Ahmed Osman, Past Chair of ICSB and Chair of ICSB Global Egypt, who previously hosted what many consider one of the most successful ICSB congresses ever in 2019. Osman’s proven expertise in orchestrating world-class entrepreneurship events, combined with his deep understanding of the regional business ecosystem, promises to deliver another exceptional gathering that will set new standards for international entrepreneurship conferences.

A Congress Theme That Resonates Globally

Under the inspiring theme “Innovation Unleashed,” the congress will explore how micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) continue to serve as the backbone of global economic resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth. This theme couldn’t be more timely, as businesses worldwide navigate an era of unprecedented technological transformation and economic challenges.

What sets this congress apart is its unique integration of Cairo’s most innovative spaces and sustainable enterprises. Delegates will experience entrepreneurship in action through exclusive tours of extraordinary venues: the sustainable SEKEM Guest House nestled within Egypt’s pioneering eco-community; Hazel Farm, a model of modern organic agriculture and community development; The Greek Campus, a vibrant downtown innovation hub fostering tech startups and creative minds; and the stunning Creativa Innovation Hub housed in the restored Sultan Hussein Palace, where heritage meets cutting-edge digital innovation. These immersive experiences showcase how entrepreneurship thrives when sustainability, innovation, and cultural preservation unite.

Why Cairo? Why Now?

Egypt’s capital represents the perfect confluence of ancient wisdom and modern ambition. As the congress agenda reveals, Egypt is emerging as a regional leader in AI and digital transformation, making it an ideal setting to discuss how SMEs can leverage cutting-edge technologies while staying rooted in their communities and values.

The choice of Cairo also reflects ICSB’s commitment to highlighting entrepreneurship in emerging markets, where some of the world’s most innovative and resilient business models are being born.

Why This Congress Matters Now

In an era where traditional business models are being disrupted daily, where climate change demands new approaches to commerce, and where technology is democratizing access to global markets, the role of SMEs has never been more critical. These businesses often move faster than large corporations, innovate out of necessity, and maintain closer connections to their communities.

The ICSB 2025 World Congress arrives at a pivotal moment when the global economy needs the agility, creativity, and resilience that small and medium enterprises provide. By bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, and support organizations from around the world, this congress promises to generate actionable insights and lasting connections that will shape the future of global entrepreneurship.

You have Time to Join and Submit Your Research, Workshop, Join the Women CEO Forum, and the ICSB Academy. (Click Here)

Submissions for ICSB Global 2025 Cairo remain open across all tracks – there’s still time to contribute your research, propose a workshop, or join our specialized forums including the Women CEO Forum and ICSB Academy. Whether you’re an established researcher, emerging scholar, or industry practitioner, we welcome diverse perspectives that will enrich the global conversation on entrepreneurship and innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of our 70th anniversary milestone event in one of the world’s most historic and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems.

A Comprehensive Four-Day Journey

Day 1: Setting the Foundation (November 25)

The congress opens with powerful panels that set the tone for the entire event:

“Unleashing Entrepreneurial Energy: SMEs at the Heart of Growth” examines how small and medium enterprises fuel resilience and innovation globally. This opening panel promises to showcase real-world examples of SMEs that have become engines of economic transformation.

“Humane Entrepreneurship: Purpose Beyond Profit” addresses one of today’s most critical business conversations—how to balance profit with ethics and sustainability. This panel will explore businesses that are proving you can do good while doing well.

The day also features “Egypt Co-Codes the Future: AI at the Nile’s Edge,” highlighting how Egypt is positioning itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence and digital transformation in the Middle East and Africa.

Day 2: Deep Dives and Innovation Showcases (November 26)

Wednesday represents the congress at its most dynamic, with multiple parallel sessions running throughout the day:

The “Future of Work for SMEs” panel tackles the pressing question of how smaller businesses can adapt to automation, AI, and evolving workforce dynamics without losing their human touch or competitive edge.

“Innovation Unleashed: AI, Blockchain, and Beyond” explores the disruptive technologies reshaping entire business ecosystems, while “Unleashing Potential: Microfinance and the Next Billion Entrepreneurs” focuses on how inclusive finance can democratize entrepreneurship globally.

A standout feature is the “Cairo Entrepreneurs Speak: An Unfiltered Listening Session”—a bottom-up forum where local entrepreneurs share their real challenges, successes, and needs directly with the global community.

The day concludes with the “Marketplace Spotlight: 10 Startups, 10 Minutes Each”—a high-energy showcase of emerging entrepreneurs who represent the future of business innovation.

Day 3: Beyond the Conference Room (November 27)

Thursday takes delegates out of traditional conference settings and into Cairo’s innovation ecosystem with comprehensive tours including visits to the National Council for Women, Ministry of Planning, and various Egyptian startups and innovation hubs.

These ecosystem tours embody the panel theme “Historic Cities, Futuristic Districts: Innovation in Place-Making,” exploring how heritage cities can embrace entrepreneurship while preserving their cultural identity.

The day culminates with the ICSB 70th Anniversary Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner, honoring seven decades of pioneering work in entrepreneurship education, research, and practice.

Day 4: Sustainable Connections (November 28)

The congress concludes with a visit to Hazel Farm, reinforcing the sustainable and community-focused themes that run throughout the event.

Research at the Forefront

Beyond the panel discussions and networking, the congress features robust academic research tracks covering:

• Core Entrepreneurship: From family businesses to digital ventures
• Innovation & Technology: Including frugal innovation and the future of work
• Sustainability & Environment: Focusing on green entrepreneurship and climate solutions
• Systems & Ecosystems: Examining accelerators, incubators, and global supply chains
• Specialized Fields: Covering healthcare, tourism, arts, and social impact entrepreneurship

These research tracks ensure that the congress balances practical insights with academic rigor, creating a comprehensive knowledge-sharing environment.

Multiple Forums, One Vision

The congress structure reflects ICSB’s inclusive approach, featuring parallel sessions for different stakeholder groups:

• ICSB Academy Sessions for educators and researchers
• ICSB World Congress Sessions for the broader entrepreneurship community
• ICSB SME Forum Sessions focused on small and medium enterprise concerns
• ICSB Market Place Sessions for startups and emerging businesses
• ICSB Women CEO Forum Sessions addressing gender-specific entrepreneurship challenges and opportunities

Complete Congress Agenda

Monday, November 24, 2025 – Pre-Congress Welcome

6:00 PM – Pizza Night at Sekem Guest House (Academy Students)
6:00 PM – ICSB Board Dinner

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 – Opening Day

8:00 AM – Registration & Networking
10:00 AM – Multiple parallel sessions begin:

• ICSB Academy Sessions
• ICSB World Congress Day 1
• Board Meeting (Dean’s Conference Meeting Room)
• Doctoral Consortium
• Expo Preparations (Market Place)

Featured Panel Sessions:

• Panel 9: Unleashing Entrepreneurial Energy: SMEs at the Heart of Growth
• Panel 10: Humane Entrepreneurship: Purpose Beyond Profit
• Panel 11: Egypt Co-Codes the Future: AI at the Nile’s Edge
• Panel 12: From Local to Global: Scaling Egyptian SMEs to the World
• Panel 13: SMEs as Engines of Resilience in a Turbulent World
• Panel 14: The Grass Roots Revolution: Policy Excellence Awards & Recognition Ceremony

2:00 PM – Lunch Break
6:00 PM – Registration & Networking
7:00 PM – Opening Ceremony & Marketplace Expo

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 – Congress in Full Swing

9:00 AM – Registration & Networking
10:00 AM – Multiple parallel forum sessions:

• ICSB Academy Sessions
• ICSB World Congress Sessions
• ICSB SME Forum Sessions
• ICSB Market Place Sessions
• ICSB Women CEO Forum Sessions

Featured Panel Sessions:

• Panel 6: The Future of Work for SMEs: Talent, Tech, and Transformation
• Panel 7: Innovation Unleashed: AI, Blockchain, and Beyond
• Panel 8: Unleashing Potential: Microfinance and the Next Billion Entrepreneurs
• Panel 9: Beyond Creativity: Building Innovation Systems with ISO
• Panel 10: Green Tech and Climate Solutions from Emerging Markets
• Panel 11: From Oil to Innovation: SME Policies Driving Regional Transformation
• Panel 12: Public–Private Partnerships for Innovation Districts
• Panel 13: Investing in Health: Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Crossroads
• Panel 14: Cairo Entrepreneurs Speak: An Unfiltered Listening Session
• Panel 15: Marketplace Spotlight: 10 Startups, 10 Minutes Each

2:00 PM – Lunch Break
3:00 PM – Afternoon parallel sessions continue:

• ICSB Academy Sessions
• ICSB World Congress Sessions
• ICSB SME Forum Sessions
• ICSB Market Place Sessions
• ICSB Women CEO Forum Sessions

Thursday, November 27, 2025 – Research & Ecosystems

9:00 AM – Meet at AUC (buses depart for ecosystem tours)
10:00 AM – Comprehensive Ecosystem Tours:

• National Council for Women visit
• Ministry of Planning visit
• ICSB Academy Pitching sessions
• Creativa innovation space
• Greek Campus tour
• Egyptian Startup visits
• Combined Marketplace + Academy + World Congress activities

Featured Tour Experiences:

• Tour 5: Historic Cities, Futuristic Districts: Innovation in Place-Making
• Tour 6: Global Lessons, Local Impact: Cairo as a Hub for Innovation
• Tour 7: Beyond Theory: Measuring Real Impact in Entrepreneurship Education

2:00 PM – Lunch Break
8:00 PM – ICSB 70th Anniversary Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner

Friday, November 28, 2025 – Closing Day

9:00 AM – Meet at pickup point
10:00 AM – Hazel Farm Visit (Sustainable entrepreneurship showcase)

Research Tracks (November 26-27)

Core Entrepreneurship
Academic, corporate, digital, social, family business, women, youth, migrant entrepreneurship, and policy

Innovation & Technology
Creativity, frugal innovation, digital platforms, and the future of work

Sustainability & Environment
Green entrepreneurship, circular economy, SDGs, renewable energy, and climate justice

Systems & Ecosystems
Accelerators, incubators, ecosystems, and global supply chains

Specialized Fields
Healthcare, tourism, sports, arts, non-profits, social impact, and anti-corruption entrepreneurship

Submission Types Available:
Competitive Papers, Workshops, Teaching Cases, Experiences, and Doctoral Consortium presentations

Exclusive Venue Experiences: Where Innovation Meets Heritage

The ICSB 2025 World Congress offers delegates unprecedented access to Cairo’s most inspiring entrepreneurial spaces, each representing a unique facet of Egypt’s innovation ecosystem:

SEKEM Guest House (read feature article)

Nestled within the sustainable community of SEKEM, the Guest House offers visitors a serene environment that reflects the initiative’s commitment to holistic development. Surrounded by organic farms and eco-friendly facilities, it provides a unique atmosphere where guests can experience sustainability in practice, while enjoying warm Egyptian hospitality. SEKEM represents a pioneering model of how business, community, and environmental stewardship can create transformative social impact.

Hazel Farm (read feature article)

Hazel Farm is a pioneering model of modern organic farming in Egypt. Known for its innovative agricultural practices and dedication to environmental stewardship, the farm showcases how sustainable food production can go hand in hand with community development. Visitors can explore the fields, learn about organic cultivation, and experience firsthand the link between agriculture, innovation, and social impact—demonstrating how traditional industries can be revolutionized through entrepreneurial thinking.

The Greek Campus

Located in the heart of downtown Cairo, The Greek Campus is a vibrant innovation hub that brings together startups, entrepreneurs, and creative minds. Once part of the American University in Cairo, the campus has been transformed into a thriving ecosystem for technology and business growth. Its dynamic environment makes it a leading destination for innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship in Egypt, perfectly embodying the adaptive reuse of historic spaces for modern innovation.

Creativa Innovation Hub – Sultan Hussein Palace

Housed in the beautifully restored Sultan Hussein Palace in Heliopolis, the Creativa Innovation Hub is a unique blend of history and modern innovation. The palace’s architectural grandeur provides a striking backdrop for a cutting-edge hub that nurtures digital skills, entrepreneurship, and creativity among Egypt’s youth. It stands as a symbol of how heritage and innovation can come together to inspire future generations, creating a bridge between Egypt’s rich past and its dynamic entrepreneurial future.

These venues collectively represent the congress theme of “Innovation Unleashed” in the most tangible way possible—showing how entrepreneurship flourishes when rooted in sustainability, community engagement, and cultural heritage.

The ICSB Global 2025 World Congress takes place November 24-28, 2025, at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. For more information about registration, panels, and research tracks, visit the official ICSB website.