Helwan University‘s Technology Incubator Office has marked 2025 as a pivotal year, significantly expanding its role within Egypt’s innovation landscape. The university successfully incubated 19 new startups, graduated nine ventures into the market, and launched two new specialized incubators, bringing its total to five distinct technology hubs.
A Landmark Year for University-Led Innovation
Under the leadership of University President Dr. Elsayed Kandil, the institution has intensified its efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application. The expansion included the launch of new incubators focused on the Arts and Education sectors, complementing existing hubs like Biocluster and the Egyptian Furniture Incubator.
The year’s success was highlighted by the graduation of nine startups from the Biocluster incubator, which specializes in biotechnology, bioengineering systems, and food and beverage technology. This cohort was supported by the national technology incubator program “Intilak,” managed by Egypt’s Academy of Scientific Research and Technology.
Fostering Growth from Idea to Market
Helwan University implemented a comprehensive suite of programs to support entrepreneurs at every stage. In April, it hosted the “Tashbeek 2” forum, a key networking event connecting startups with experts, investors, and industry specialists. The event featured an exhibition of 13 startups and celebrated the graduation of the nine Biocluster companies.
A dedicated bootcamp for the Egyptian Furniture Incubator resulted in five teams securing contracts for support valued at up to EGP 300,000 each. Furthermore, a pre-incubation program launched in May selected 10 promising early-stage ideas from a pool of 50 applicants, providing each with EGP 20,000 in initial funding to develop their prototypes within the Biocluster incubator.
Strategic Vision and Future Expansion
University leadership has underscored its commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Dr. Elsayed Kandil stated that the university has created a successful model for integrating higher education with innovation, confirming ambitious plans for the future. “2026 will witness a greater expansion in our incubation programs to reach 30 incubated companies and an enhancement of partnerships with innovation-supporting bodies,” he noted.
Dr. Emad Abu El-Dahab, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. “Technology incubators are one of the most important tools for supporting innovation and the transition to a knowledge-based economy,” he said. “They are an effective link between the outputs of scientific research and the needs of society.”
Dr. Ihab Abdel Raouf, Director of the Technology Incubator Office, added that the results are a strong motivator to continue the work in 2026, with a focus on attracting more innovative ideas and expanding specialized incubators.
Cultivating a Culture of Entrepreneurship
Beyond direct incubation, the university actively worked to promote an innovation-focused culture on campus. During Global Entrepreneurship Week, it organized seminars in collaboration with its Entrepreneurship Club, attracting over 450 students, faculty, and experts.
The university also collaborated with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport on the “Rally for Entrepreneurship” competition. Four teams from Helwan University reached the national finals, with team “Space for Change” winning a prize of EGP 50,000 from Plan International.
About Helwan University Technology Incubator Office
The Technology Incubator Office at Helwan University is a dedicated initiative aimed at empowering students, researchers, and innovators to transform creative ideas into sustainable, high-growth startups. Through specialized incubators, mentorship, technical support, and strategic partnerships, the office plays a crucial role in connecting academic research with industrial and societal needs, contributing to Egypt’s economic development and knowledge-based economy.
Source: Rosa Elyoussef
