What began as a single presentation slide in 2017 has evolved into a comprehensive global platform designed to connect entrepreneurs with vital support systems. The Egyptian-born initiative, Nabil Map, has successfully transitioned from a local resource into a worldwide directory, now charting the startup ecosystems of over 73 countries.
The 10-Minute Presentation That Started It All
The origin of Nabil Map traces back to the “Egypt for Entrepreneurship” summit in Hurghada in November 2017. Faced with a tight 10-minute speaking slot to present the entire Egyptian startup ecosystem to an international audience, the platform’s founder, Nabil, created a one-page mind map. Drawing on over 30 years of experience, he charted all the local support entities from memory, creating an infographic that captured the landscape of Egyptian entrepreneurship.
The map was an immediate success at the summit. In February 2018, the founder shared the infographic on social media, where it went viral within hours, highlighting a significant need within the entrepreneurial community for a centralized resource. This overwhelming response spurred the development of the map from a static image into an annually updated, interactive tool.
From Infographic to Global Platform
The success of the Egyptian map led to requests from other countries to replicate the model for their own ecosystems. This demand prompted a pivotal decision: to launch a universal digital platform that connects entrepreneurs and startups with support organizations across the globe.
The platform, nabilmap.com, was launched as “Egypt’s gift to the world.” Its global expansion was further accelerated through a landmark agreement with the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) at George Washington University. This partnership aims to expand and continuously update the map’s presence in over 80 countries, leveraging a network of volunteer ambassadors worldwide.
A Centralized Hub for Ecosystem Stakeholders
The Nabil Map platform offers powerful features for its users. Entrepreneurs can easily search for support entities by name, service, or country. The directory is organized across 45 classifications, such as incubators, venture capital, and women-led project support, all structured under five core pillars:
- Talent Nurturing: Organizations that provide entrepreneurship education, foster creativity, and promote a culture of self-employment.
- Funding: A wide spectrum of financing options including pre-seed, seed, angel investment, VC, private equity, crowdfunding, and grants.
- Non-Financial Services: Support channels offering legal, accounting, marketing, technical, and strategic support, as well as incubators and accelerators.
- Growth Stage: Entities that assist with R&D, intellectual property, patent registration, technology transfer, and export.
- Community & Networking: Platforms, conferences, competitions, and co-working spaces that connect entrepreneurs with the broader ecosystem.
Unlike the original annual updates, the digital platform is updated daily. This dynamic resource not only benefits founders but also provides crucial data for policymakers and donors, helping them identify service gaps and areas of saturation within their national ecosystems.
About Nabil Map
Nabil Map is a global platform dedicated to mapping and connecting the world’s entrepreneurial ecosystems. It serves as a comprehensive directory for startups and entrepreneurs to find funding, mentorship, and support services. The initiative aims to be a central bridge between founders and the organizations that can help them grow, while also providing valuable insights for decision-makers shaping economic policy.
Source: Rowad Al Aamal
