The Founder Institute (http://FI.co), the world's premier idea-stage accelerator and startup launch program, announced today that it is exploring a new semester launch in Cairo this year.
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch some of the fastest-rising startups across 6 continents like Udemy, Realty Mogul, iCarsClub, Itembase, goplaceit, Appota, and many more. The company's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
If you'd like to help bring a semester to Cairo, then fill out an Interest Form, or attend a free event. If enough people complete this form by the Launch Deadline (Nov 18, 2026), then the Founder Institute will formally launch a 2016 program.
The Founder Institute is the most challenging and effective step-by-step startup launch program for talented and motivated aspiring entrepreneurs. If you are serious about launching a startup, the Founder Institute can give you the structured process, constant feedback and evaluation from expert mentors, and global network of entrepreneurs you need to start an enduring company. In addition, the Founder Institute is the only program of its kind that focuses on people versus ideas, accepts founders with day jobs, and shares equity with all participants.
Leaders of the world’s fastest-growing startups have used the Founder Institute to transition from employee to entrepreneur, test their startup ideas, build a team, get their first customers, raise funding, and more.
In order to test demand for a Egypt Fall 2026 program, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events in Cairo:
Egypt Events:
- Cairo Startup Idea Feedback: How to Validate Your Ideas & Networking Event: 6:00pm, Oct 04, 2026 (Africa/Cairo): https://FI.co/e/400528
Global or Regional Events:
Leading the Founder Institute's efforts in Cairo include local startup leaders Amr Gohar (CEO, ECO Outsourcing), Khaled ElKhalifa (CEO, Celltek), and Riham Abu Elinin (CEO, BznsBuilder).
Cairo has never been more ready for such a wold class entrepreneur training program. The entrepreneurship ecosystem in Cairo has the potential to become one of the most successful Founder Institute chapters around the world." - Khaled ElKhalifa
Other successful entrepreneurs who have pledged their support to mentor founders in a Cairo Founder Institute program include:
- Abdelrahman Ayman: VP, Manara
- Abdel Rahman Shorosh: Serial Angel Investor, Egypt
- Ahmed Morsy: Founder and CEO, Just to Learn
- Ahmed Alaa El Din: Managing Director
- Ahmed Hazem: Managing Director, Falak Startups
- Ahmed Alsharif: Founding Partner, Averroes Ventures
- Ahmed Mahmoud Abdeen: Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ElGameya
- Ahmed Nassef: Founder & CEO, LeadsMart
- Ameer Sherif, Wuzzuf
- Amr Fawzi: CEO & Founder, GoodsMart
- Andrea Azzolari: Investor , Plug and Play
- Ayman Metwally: Founder & CEO, Stream Controls
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Christine Nady: IC Member, Included VC
- Dalia Rehab: Program Manager, Founder Institute
- Dan D'souza: Principle, Star Venture, European Bank for Reconstruction & Development
- Ebin Ephrem Elavathingal: Director/Tecknogog, MERSTRA Foundation / MITC
- Edgar Kussberg: AI Group Product Manager, Snyk
- Ehab Darwish: Founder, Business Development Director, iSkala
- Esraa Abouelnasr: Executive Director, Giza Systems Foundation
- George Fahmy: Founder & CEO, Stakpak
- Hani W. Naguib: Author | Speaker | Mentor, HNT innovation studio
- Hossam Shafick: Partner, Silicon Badia
- Ibrahim Shehata: Partner, Shehata
- Irina Baskova: Growth coach for B2B sales and go-to-market., independent consultant.
- Ivan Ivanka: Founder & CEO, Markster
- Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Katherine Kamel: VC, Foundation Ventures
- Keshni Morar: Managing Director, FI South Africa + Investable
- Lewa Abukhait: CEO, Iwan Ventures
- Louis Ravenscroft: Founder, Startopia
- Louisa De Beer, Blossom Accelerator
- Mai Samir, Leadsmart
- Manar Mansour: Head of GTM & Growth, Fawry
- Mervat Gabal: Co-Founder and CEO, La Maison Treize
- Mohamed Tohami: Founder & CEO, Passion Point
- Mohamed Al Ghannam: Principal, F6 Ventures
- Mohamed Alaa: CEO, Shezlong
- Mohamed Elsherif: Founder, ASaaSI
- Mohammed Badawy: Head of Investment, Falak Startups
- Mostafa Masry: CEO, Fincart
- Muhammad Abu Elgheit: Founder & CEO, TechieMatter
- Nadia KANOUN: CEO, Senior Adviser, Trainer & Coach, IHSCEN for Startups
- Nafez Dakkak: Managing Partner, Anara Capital
- Paul Turken: Professor, Marketing & Strategy of Business School Netherlands
- Raja Mawad: Founder, Thrv.health
- Reem Bannis: Corporate/ Arbitration lawyer, LandIn.ksa
- Rishi Sharma: West Coast Lead , Newlin VC
- Ryan Micheletti: Head of Global Operations, Founder Institute
- Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
- Sara Tabana: Sr. Dir, Head of FinTech Innovation Strategy - Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, VISA
- Saumya Bhatnagar: CTO & Co-Founder, Involve.ai
- Sawsan Lubani, iRole
- Sherif Mohsen: Serial Entrepreneur , Lasheen Group
- Simon Turner: Founding Partner, Groundbreaking, Managing Director, FI Ghana
- Tarek Roushdy: Angel Investor, UI Investments
- Tarek Abdelrahman: CMO, TE Data
- Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
- Walid Hassouna: Founder and CEO, valU
- Yousef El Sammaa: Co founder & CEO, Daleela
- And many more to be announced.
Help bring the Founder Institute to Cairo and fill out an Interest Form today.
(View of Islamic Cairo - Egypt image by Shutterstock)
