Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) are vital to economic growth, and the latest initiative under the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) in Egypt has been specifically designed to propel them forward. Athar Accelerator, in partnership with Falak Startups, recently concluded a focused three-day SGBs Retreat in Fayoum for five selected businesses. The intensive program was strategically crafted to unlock the go-to-market (GTM) stage for these businesses as they prepare for Tier 1 funding.
Intensive Workshops on GTM Strategy and Execution
The retreat featured a series of hands-on workshops and direct mentorship sessions aimed at strengthening the founders’ strategic capabilities and operational discipline. These sessions provided actionable insights tailored for SGBs looking to scale:
- Milestone Planning and Management Discipline: Led by Shoaib El Qady (CEO, Athar Accelerator), this session focused on structuring clear developmental milestones and instilling the necessary management rigor for controlled growth.
- Brand Strategy: Ahmed Hazem Dakroury (Falak Startups) conducted a workshop on developing a robust brand strategy that resonates with the target market and strengthens the SGB’s unique value proposition.
- Streamlined Workflows and Team Execution: Ahmed Mohsen Younes (Flat6Labs) introduced practical systems and tools designed to optimize workflow management, enhance team execution, and improve overall operational efficiency.
- Enhanced Tech Product Management: Mohammad Taher (Wexecute) delivered a specialized workshop focused on improving how founders build, manage, and iterate their technology products for market success.
Panel Discussion: Funding Opportunities for SGBs
A crucial element of the retreat was the panel discussion, “Funding Opportunities for SGBs,” which offered a comprehensive look at the financing landscape from various stakeholders. The session, moderated by Shoaib El Qady, provided founders with candid insights into investor expectations:
- Venture Capital Perspectives: Ezzeddin H. Zahzah of 500 Global and Ahmed Hazem Dakroury of Falak Startups shared the key metrics, due diligence requirements, and growth potential VCs seek before committing capital.
- SME Investment Realities: Bahi Hassan of Sanad Partners broke down the financing realities and nuances of investment within the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) space.
- Founder’s Experience: Fady El Dwairy of Expanders360 shared practical lessons and real-world experiences on the effort and persistence required to successfully navigate a funding round.
The Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) Initiative
This SGBs Retreat is an integral component of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) in Egypt. OCIF is an initiative championed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Its implementation is a collaborative effort between Egyptian ecosystem builders Falak Startups and Athar Accelerator, demonstrating a successful model for international support focused on developing high-potential enterprises in the MENA region.
About Athar Accelerator
Athar Accelerator is a dedicated startup accelerator focused on supporting entrepreneurs in Upper Egypt. Its primary mission is to activate and strengthen the startup ecosystem across the region by providing selected ventures with funding, essential connections, and focused mentorship. The accelerator is committed to fostering innovation and economic growth outside Egypt’s traditional tech hubs.
Source: Athar Accelerator
