Egypt’s higher education sector is increasingly stepping into the venture-building space as Benha University officially kicks off “The Lobby – Career 2 Business” entrepreneurship forum. Hosted at the Creativa Hub in Benha, the initiative aims to close the gap between academic innovation and the local venture capital ecosystem by connecting aspiring student founders directly with active investors.
Quick Facts
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Event: “The Lobby – Career 2 Business” forum launched.
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Partners: Benha University, ITIDA, and Creativa Hub.
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Goal: Connect student founders directly with active investors.
Bridging Academia and Venture Capital in Egypt
The forum operates as a joint effort between the University Center for Career Development and the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA). This collaboration is designed to align academic outputs with the realities of the modern tech economy.
Dr. Nasser El-Gizawy, President of Benha University, noted that the core objective is to integrate efforts that support students and alumni. By qualifying them for the labor market and facilitating direct interactions with investors, the university intends to help transition innovative academic concepts into viable, scalable startups.
This move highlights a broader trend across the MENA region where universities act as early-stage incubators, providing critical infrastructure to founders before they enter the wider commercial market.
Strategic Focus on Startup Growth and Funding Gaps
Beyond networking, the event featured targeted discussions aimed at diagnosing structural challenges within the local ecosystem. A specialized roundtable convened to map out a strategy for evolving Benha University’s entrepreneurship framework to better support the national economy.
Stakeholders analyzed existing gaps in early-stage funding, technical support, and capacity building. The immediate goal is to draft an executive action plan that actively drives startup growth.
The forum also hosted expansive panel discussions bringing together venture backers and emerging companies. Founders pitched projects across varying development phases—from early prototypes to startups entering their growth stages—creating direct avenues for potential investment and strategic partnerships.
Adding to the event’s impact, Dr. Sahar Abdel Rahman emphasized the heavy participation from both new ventures and seasoned industry experts. The forum provided an interactive environment designed to stimulate innovation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and help young entrepreneurs launch their own businesses.
About Benha University
Benha University is a prominent Egyptian public university actively expanding its role beyond traditional education to function as a regional catalyst for innovation. Through initiatives like the University Center for Career Development and partnerships with ITIDA at the Creativa Hub, the institution focuses on equipping students with entrepreneurial skills and connecting academic talent with the broader startup and investor ecosystem in Egypt.
Source: El Watan News
