Having an innovative idea is not enough to attract funding, according to Heba Zaki, director of Egypt’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (EEIC) at the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.
Speaking at the Global Entrepreneurship Festival 2026, Zaki said startups need a clear business model, defined target customers and evidence of real demand. They must also show how they will generate revenue and demonstrate that their teams can execute growth plans.
Investment readiness also requires founders to specify how much funding they need, how it will be used and which measurable indicators will track progress. Potential uses include product development, entering new markets and expanding production capacity, she said.
Zaki also highlighted the role of Egypt’s Ministry of Planning in coordinating government responses to regulatory challenges through the ministerial entrepreneurship group. EEIC’s Business Clinic provides startups with a channel to raise operational and regulatory issues with the relevant authorities and follow up on possible solutions.
According to Zaki, combining practical support from EEIC with government coordination can help promising startups overcome obstacles and scale toward Egypt’s ambition of developing billion-dollar companies. She also called on founders to maintain close contact with customers, test their assumptions and invest in building stronger teams.
Source: Fintech Gate
