Entrepreneurs come from all walks of life, whether IT enthusiasts innovating in Mansoura, Egypt, or leading technology giants in California’s Silicon Valley. Despite differences in location, size, or sector, one constant remains: the ecosystem in which entrepreneurs operate plays a crucial role in determining their survival, growth, and ultimate success. This ecosystem must be robust for entrepreneurs to thrive consistently, offering unwavering support to startups and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).
In Egypt, numerous initiatives and efforts are being made to foster entrepreneurship. However, these efforts are often fragmented, making it challenging for entrepreneurs and startups to navigate the landscape and access the needed services and support. Recognizing this gap, I designed a groundbreaking tool—a comprehensive map that serves as a one-stop resource for all entities supporting entrepreneurship in Egypt. This map, similar in concept to a mind map, consolidates the diverse support channels into a single, easily accessible page, ensuring that anyone interested in entrepreneurship can readily find the resources they need.
To explore the interactive entrepreneurship ecosystem map, please follow the link below:
The Egyptian Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Infographics (EEEI) is a comprehensive and interactive 1-page visual guide designed to showcase the diverse support available for entrepreneurs in Egypt. The infographic is structured around five key pillars, encompassing various aspects critical to the success and growth of startups and businesses.
Key Features of the EEEI:
Five Support Pillars: The infograph is organized into five primary support pillars, which are:
Talent: Focuses on nurturing and developing the human capital needed for entrepreneurial success.
Funding: Covers the financial resources and investment opportunities available at different stages of business development.
Support: Includes the essential services and infrastructure that provide business development support.
Growth: Highlights the resources and programs aimed at scaling and expanding businesses.
Networking: Emphasizes the importance of connections, collaboration, and exposure within the entrepreneurial community.
Support Areas: Within these pillars, the EEEI covers a total of 42 specific support areas, each addressing different needs of entrepreneurs:
Talent: Education, Innovation, Culture, Donors.
Funding: Pre-seed, Seed, Business Angels, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Crowdfunding, Grants, Leasing, Microfinance, Credit Guarantees.
Support: Information, Legal, Accounting, Hiring, Marketing, Consulting, Tech Advice, Business Online, Green Business, Accelerators, Incubators, Valuation & Strategy, Women, Special Abilities, NGOs, Training, Mentoring, Research, Policy.
Growth: R&D, Science & Technology Parks, Intellectual Property, Export, Technology Transfer, Knowledge Transfer.
Networking: Media, Platforms, Coworking/MakerSpaces, Competitions, Events.
Extensive Coverage: The EEEI features 549 distinct support channels distributed across the five pillars:
Talent: 68 channels.
Funding: 81 channels.
Support/BDS (Business Development Services): 287 channels.
Growth: 32 channels.
Networking: 81 channels.
Interactive Design: The infographic is designed to be user-friendly and interactive. Each logo or icon within the EEEI is hyperlinked, allowing users to easily access the relevant website or resource page associated with the support service.
Access: The interactive map of the EEEI can be accessed online. This infographic is an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem enablers, offering a clear and organized view of the opportunities and support mechanisms available within Egypt’s entrepreneurial landscape.
EEEI Benefits
EEEI provides a valuable resource for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), making it easier for them to seek and find the support they need to grow and thrive. By offering a comprehensive and accessible platform, EEEI ensures business owners can quickly connect with the resources, mentorship, and financial assistance required to navigate their entrepreneurial journey.
Moreover, EEEI is crucial for decision-makers, donors, and support institutions by offering insights into the entrepreneurial landscape. It helps them identify which support channels are oversaturated and highlights gaps in the ecosystem that must be addressed. This data-driven approach enables a more efficient allocation of resources, ensuring that support is targeted where it is most needed.
The impact of the Egyptian Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Map has been remarkable, both locally and across the MENA region. Its success has inspired several other countries to develop similar entrepreneurship ecosystem maps, reflecting the positive influence of the Egyptian model. Recognizing the far-reaching potential of this initiative, I saw the need to connect global entrepreneurs to a centralized source of support. This realization led to creating the Global Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Platform (GEEP).
GEEP is an ambitious project designed to encompass all countries worldwide, serving as the first global “quiver” that connects support organizations with startups and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Since its inception, GEEP has grown to include 1,530 support channels from 72 countries, making it a pioneering effort in the global entrepreneurial landscape. In an upcoming article, I will explore its features, successes, and future potential.
Acknowledgments
EEEI and GEEP were made possible by the support of Eng. Ahmed Osman, Chief Executive Officer at CHROME & Past Chair at the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), inspired me to invent the ecosystem model; Eng. Mohamed Essam, Product Consultant at MarketFit, devoted his time and effort to making GEEP more user-friendly; Eng. Mohamed Ramadan, General Manager at COREations, facilitated the programming and publishing of the interactive EEEI map through his software house, and Mr. Ahmed AlOmairy, Photoshop Designer, converted the hand sketch into an attractive and effective infographic. Additional support was provided by Prof. Ayman ElTarabishy, President & CEO of the International Council for Small Business, who encouraged the internationalization of GEEP.
