Arab Finance: Gemini Africa celebrated the conclusion of the third round of its incubation program for startups in Upper Egypt through the final “Demo Day,” according to a press release.
The event gathered a distinguished group of entrepreneurs, strategic partners, investors, and the program’s donor organizations, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and Mars – Galaxy.
The third cycle of the program witnessed wide participation from startups across six governorates in Upper Egypt, including Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, and Aswan.
Out of 600 applicants, 111 joined the training program designed to empower founders of startups and MSMEs with social impact.
The program offered specialized training, mentorship, and access to funding and market opportunities, contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Notably, women’s participation reached 54%, reflecting the program’s commitment to women empowerment and their role in economic development.
By the end of the program, 19 startups qualified to pitch before an expert jury panel, where they were assessed based on their ability to present innovative, impactful, and scalable solutions with measurable social impact.
The competition concluded with the selection of the top three winning startups, receiving total prizes worth EGP 210,000. First place was awarded to “Insight Learn," an inclusive education startup offering a patented, innovative learning approach that uses small 3D models to represent numbers and letters geometrically.
Second place went to "iBIKIA," a tech-enabled waste management startup aiming to make recycling easier, more engaging, and accessible to households through its mobile application.
Third place was awarded to “Pottery Hub," a startup focused on reviving pottery heritage in Upper Egypt by integrating artificial intelligence with traditional crafts. Its platform provides AI-powered design tools that help artisans enhance product quality, while partnerships with local workshops reduce costs, increase production capacity, and create real employment opportunities for youth.
Launched in 2021 under the name “Uplift for Upper Egypt,” through a partnership between Gemini Africa and the Sawiris Foundation, the Gemini Upper Egypt Incubation Program has evolved into one of the leading integrated development programs backing social entrepreneurship in the region.
The current round is further supported by Mars–Galaxy, as part of its global commitment to empowering women and supporting sustainable business development.
On her part, Ms. Laila Hosny, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation, commented: “The Foundation strongly believes in the power of social entrepreneurship to deliver innovative solutions that meet both market and community needs. In light of ongoing global economic challenges, we remain committed to empowering local entrepreneurs, particularly those from economically and geographically marginalized communities, helping them overcome barriers to market entry and drive meaningful social mobility.”
Eng. Adly Thoma, CEO of Gemini Africa and Founder of CinemaTech, said: “Since the program’s launch, our vision has been clear: to empower social entrepreneurs—especially youth and women in Upper Egypt—to become true drivers of change within their communities. This goes beyond delivering innovative solutions to achieving tangible improvements in their socioeconomic conditions."
He added: “By connecting entrepreneurs and fostering strong local networks, we create sustainable pathways for growth. The third cycle clearly reflects this direction, with more mature startups, broader impact, and stronger networks—demonstrating our ability to move from supporting individuals to building a comprehensive and sustainable ecosystem in Upper Egypt.”
Ms. Sally El Guindi, General Manager of Mars Egypt, stated: “Empowering women is a core pillar of Mars’ sustainability strategy and its commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact in communities. Through the Galaxy brand, we aim to support women entrepreneurs in Upper Egypt in realizing their ambitions and expanding their businesses, ultimately benefiting them, their families, and their communities.”
The event highlighted the vital role of partnerships between the private sector and development organizations in bolstering a supportive environment for entrepreneurship in Upper Egypt, enabling promising ideas to transform into impactful businesses that drive both economic and social progress.
