How does the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIAD) support innovation in the Egyptian IT sector?
The ITIAD was established in 2008 under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), and its mission is to promote the development of information technology in Egypt. In addition to supporting research and development activities, the agency also provides grants to companies and organizations that want to develop new technologies or services.
To achieve its goals, the ITIAD has launched several initiatives, such as the National Center for Research and Development, the National Center for Software Engineering and the National Center for Telecommunication Studies. These centers provide training programs and workshops to improve the skills of local developers. The ITIAD also supports the establishment of incubators and accelerators, which are specialized facilities where startups can test their ideas before they launch them into the market.
In order to help entrepreneurs get started, the ITIAD organizes events like Startup Week, a three-day event that brings together more than 1,000 participants from all over the country. The week includes lectures and panel discussions on topics ranging from business strategy to entrepreneurship.
In 2012, the ITIAD joined forces with Plug and Play, a global organization that helps startups grow by providing access to capital, customers and partners. Together, they launched the first Egyptian Innovation Hub at the Cairo International Business School (CIBS). This facility offers free office space, mentoring, networking opportunities and other resources to startups.
Egyptian Startups:
Startup Weekend:
Startup Weekend is a global movement that encourages teams of people to form around a common idea and work together to build something innovative during a weekend. Teams compete against each other to come up with the best solution to a problem.
Startup Weekend Egypt:
Startup Weekend Egypt is a regional initiative that aims to bring together startup enthusiasts in Egypt. It takes place every year in different cities across the country.
Startup Weekend Cairo:
Startup Weekend Cairo is a regional initiative that brings together startup enthusiasts in Cairo. It takes place every month in different locations throughout the city.
Startup Weekend Alexandria:
Startup Weekend Alexandria is a regional initiative that takes place once a month in different locations throughout Alexandria.
Startup Weekend Suez:
Startup Weekend Suez is a regional initiative that take place once a month in various locations throughout Suez.
Startup Weekend Giza:
Startup Weekend Giza is a regional initiative that took place in Giza for the first time in January 2015.
Startup Weekend Damietta:
Startup Weekend Damettoa is a regional initiative that will take place in Damietta for the first time in February 2016.
The ITIAD is launching a new program aimed at helping young Egyptians become successful entrepreneurs. The program, called “Startup Weekend”, will be held for the first time this summer in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.
The program was developed by the ITIAD in partnership with Plug and Play, an international organization that helps startups grow through access to capital, customers, and partners.
The Startup Weekend program consists of four days of intensive learning about entrepreneurship and innovation. Participants learn how to start a company, pitch their ideas to investors, and develop products or services. At the end of the program, teams present their projects to judges who select the winners.
