Cycle 1 finalists
Six finalists pitched to investors at graduation, June 2021.
NilePreneurs · Nile University · Sponsored by HSBC Egypt · 2020–2022
NilePreneurs Academy
NP Academy, a fully funded educational accelerator for growth-stage Egyptian startups: a six-month program of tailored training, expert mentorship and investor access, with no equity taken in return.
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The program film
Inside NP Academy
A short film on the program, its founders and the team behind it, filmed at NilePreneurs, Nile University.
At a glance
50startups accelerated
2cycles, 25 startups each
6months, six learning modules
0%equity taken from startups
The objective
Help Egyptian startups past the early stage grow into scaleups: sharpen their strategy, grow their customer base and prepare them to meet investors, through a fully funded program sponsored by HSBC Egypt that asks for no equity.
My role
As Head of Education and Awareness Programs at NilePreneurs and Program Manager of NP Academy, I designed and led it across both cycles: the learning path, trainer line-up, selection, onboarding and the partnership with HSBC Egypt.
The learning path
Six modules over six months
Organization DevelopmentStrategic objectives and OKRs, values and principles, team capabilities and gaps.
Growth ManagementMarketing and sales plans, market sizing, target customers, customer journey and growth hacking.
Growth StrategyLong-term strategy, when to scale, Design Thinking, and growth versus scaling up.
InternationalizationCompliance, marketing, taxation and trade for scaling into international markets.
Financial ManagementFinances, capital and expenses, digital treasury, taxation and customs.
InvestmentPitching to investors, startup valuation, deals, mergers and funding options.
What founders received
Six benefits, with no ownership given up in return.
ExposureAccess to the NilePreneurs network of trainers, researchers and industry experts.
No equityStartups give up no ownership; the program supports their next funding round instead.
TrainingA tailored program on leadership, innovation and the skills to scale.
MeetupsRegular meetings with founders of successful Egyptian startups and scaleups.
GrowthPartner startups, scaleups and corporates to help land pilots and grow the customer base.
InvestmentA chance to pitch to investors, with the support of the Central Bank of Egypt and partner banks.
The recruitment campaign
Facebook · LinkedIn · np.egA bilingual campaign, in English and Arabic, explaining the program, its benefits, its modules and its trainers, and driving founders to apply on np.eg.
Milestones
From graduation to investors
Cycle 1 · Graduation and investor matchmaking
On 7 June 2021 the first cycle closed with a graduation ceremony and an investor matchmaking event, attended by May Abulnaga, the first Sub-Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, and Nile University’s Provost. I presented the startups’ milestones and moderated as six finalists pitched to investors.
Cycle 2 · Closing ceremony
The second cycle closed on 26 November 2022 with HSBC Egypt and the Central Bank of Egypt’s SME department, after a demo day judged in a business clinic of mentor stations: business, technical and finance.
The founders
Cycle 2 graduates
Eight graduate startups recognized at the closing ceremony, November 2022.
After the program
- MEDEX raised $650K and won the Entrepreneur for Good Award at Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards.
- Super Be won EGP 250,000 on the TV show El Forsa.
- Ostafandy joined Cohort 4 of the ASIP Accelerator, among its top 10 startups.
- Startups exhibited at Techne Summit and on the Central Bank of Egypt booth at Cairo ICT.
Cycle 2 onboarding
The second cycle’s startups were welcomed at an onboarding day in December 2021, with team-building activities and panels on entrepreneurship and startup growth in Egypt. A delegation from HSBC Egypt’s SME and Business Banking team joined, toured NilePreneurs and met the program team.
Cycle 2 closing ceremony
26 November 2022Eight graduate startups were recognized in the presence of HSBC Egypt, the Central Bank of Egypt’s SME department and Nile University.
Results
50startups accelerated across two cycles
2full cycles, sponsored by HSBC Egypt for a second year
6learning modules, led by industry practitioners
0%equity taken from any startup
Partners
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