Gemini Africa’s Upper Egypt incubator draws 111 startups from 600 applicants, women make up 54%

07 / 05 / 2026

By Marwa Nassar - -

Gemini Africa concluded the third cycle of its Upper Egypt Incubation Program with a final Demo Day, after selecting 111 startups from more than 600 applicants across six governorates in Upper Egypt, with women accounting for 54% of participants.

The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, strategic partners, and donor organizations including the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and Mars Egypt through its Galaxy brand.

The program targeted startups and MSMEs with social impact across Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, and Aswan, providing specialized training, mentorship, and access to funding and market opportunities aimed at supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

19 startups advanced to Demo Day:

The third cycle concluded after several months of training and capacity building, with 19 startups qualifying to pitch before an expert jury panel.

The startups were evaluated based on their ability to present innovative, scalable solutions with measurable social impact.

Three startups were selected as winners, receiving total prizes worth EGP 210,000.

First place went to “Insight Learn,” an inclusive education startup offering a patented learning method using small 3D models to represent numbers and letters geometrically, supporting both visually impaired and sighted children through interactive and sensory learning.

Second place was awarded to “iBIKIA,” a tech-enabled waste management startup focused on making recycling more accessible and engaging through a mobile application.

Third place went to “Pottery Hub,” a startup aiming to revive Upper Egypt’s pottery heritage by integrating artificial intelligence into traditional crafts. The platform provides AI-powered design tools that help artisans improve product quality while partnering with local workshops to reduce costs and increase production capacity.

Program expanded into integrated entrepreneurship platform:

The incubation program was launched in 2021 under the name “Uplift for Upper Egypt” through a partnership between Gemini Africa and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development.

Since then, it has evolved into one of the region’s integrated development programs supporting social entrepreneurship through solutions tailored to local market needs. The current cycle also received support from Mars – Galaxy as part of the company’s global sustainability and women empowerment commitments.

Sawiris Foundation: Social entrepreneurship drives inclusive growth:

“The Foundation strongly believes in the power of social entrepreneurship to deliver innovative solutions that meet both market and community needs,” said Laila Hosny, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development.

“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.”

Hosny added that the Foundation’s continued support for the program coincides with its 25th anniversary and reflects its long-standing commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Egypt.

“We are proud to be a partner in the success of this pioneering program, which contributes to job creation and inclusive growth,” she said.

Gemini Africa: Building ecosystems, not just startups:

“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,” said Adly Thoma, CEO of Gemini Africa and Founder of CinemaTech.

“This goes beyond delivering innovative solutions to achieving tangible improvements in their socioeconomic conditions.”

He added that startups supported by the program have secured awards, investments, and both local and international recognition over the past four years.

“At Gemini Africa, we do not simply support startups; we build integrated ecosystems that drive development from within,” Thoma said.

“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.”

Mars Egypt: Women empowerment is central to sustainability strategy:

“Empowering women is a core pillar of Mars’ sustainability strategy and its commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact in communities,” said Sally El Guindi, General Manager of Mars Egypt.

“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.”

Partnerships supporting entrepreneurship in Upper Egypt:

The event highlighted the growing role of partnerships between the private sector and development organizations in building entrepreneurship ecosystems in Upper Egypt and supporting startups with social and economic impact.