Startups Without Borders has announced the successful outcomes of its Refugee Launchpad Program in Cairo, demonstrating the significant impact of a structured ecosystem approach on refugee-led ventures. Developed in collaboration with Save the Children International and key ecosystem partners, the program has enabled participants to achieve triple-digit profit increases by integrating digital sales channels and professional mentorship into their business models.
Scalable Growth through Digital Transformation
The program’s layered intervention model focused on transitioning traditional business operations into the digital economy. By leveraging the infrastructure of partners like Wuilt and Consoleya, refugee entrepreneurs successfully launched digital storefronts, leading to an average profit increase of 138.8%. The data further reveals a 98.7% rise in monthly sales and a 91.3% expansion in customer bases across the cohort, proving that specialized technical support can bridge the gap between displacement and sustainable economic inclusion.
Empowering Female Leadership: The Case of Estabraq Accessories
A standout success of the initiative is Estabraq, a 20-year-old entrepreneur who fled Sudan for Egypt. She founded Estabraq Accessories, transforming her craft for handmade jewelry into a thriving online brand. Beyond her own commercial success, Estabraq has become a community leader, conducting workshops for over 75 women and girls from Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea, and Syria in Cairo and Alexandria. Her journey exemplifies how refugee entrepreneurship creates a multiplier effect, fostering resilience and skill-sharing within displaced communities.
A Systems Approach to Economic Inclusion
The success of the Refugee Launchpad highlights the power of a coordinated ecosystem involving 34 mentors and 25 ecosystem partners. By connecting private sector infrastructure with community support, the program has created a repeatable framework for integrating refugee talent into the regional economy. This “systems approach” ensures that entrepreneurs have access to the necessary mentors, platforms, and expertise to move beyond survivalist business models toward scalable, profit-generating enterprises.
About Startups Without Borders
Startups Without Borders is a global platform that connects migrant and refugee entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and investment needed to scale their businesses. Based in Cairo, the organization hosts international summits and acceleration programs designed to showcase the untapped potential of displaced founders. By building a diverse ecosystem of partners, Startups Without Borders aims to transform the narrative of migration into one of economic opportunity and innovation.
Source: LinkedIn
