Cairo’s startup scene is bracing for a high-octane morning of innovation as Founders Live returns to the city on April 25, 2025. Hosted at the vibrant Startup Haus Cairo, this event strips away the dense panels and long-winded keynotes of traditional tech conferences, replacing them with a fast-paced, founder-first format. Designed to connect Egypt’s most promising entrepreneurs with a room full of investors, operators, and ecosystem builders, Founders Live Cairo offers a raw look at the next big things being built in the region.
Event Details
- What: Global Pitch Competition and Networking Event
- When: April 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Doors open at 9:00 AM)
- Where: Startup Haus Cairo, 3 Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek
- Focus Areas: Tech Startups, Human-Centered Design, Social Innovation, and Venture Growth
About The Event
Founders Live is an unforgettable pitch competition experience sweeping the globe, and its Cairo edition has become a cornerstone for the local Egyptian ecosystem. The mission is simple: to provide a platform where early-stage founders can gain visibility, receive immediate feedback, and compete for a massive “Booster Pack” of resources. Held at Startup Haus Cairo—the enpact hub established with the support of the Drosos Foundation—the event leverages a community-driven atmosphere to foster genuine connections rather than transactional networking.
What to Expect
The event follows a strict, high-energy format designed to keep the audience engaged and the founders on their toes:
- 99-Second Pitches: Five selected startups take the stage for a lightning-fast pitch.
- Live Q&A: Four minutes of rapid-fire questions from the audience follow each pitch.
- Audience Voting: There are no judges; the crowd decides the winner in real-time.
- Networking & Happy Hour: Dedicated slots for founders and investors to mingle over refreshments.
- Opening Entertainment: A unique touch to kick off the morning with high energy.
Featured Speakers
Beyond the competition, the event features insights from prominent ecosystem leaders who bridge the gap between design and business:
- Habiba Shawkat: Technical Program Manager at DMZ Cairo, bringing expertise in human-centered design and sustainability.
- Lydia Kamiel: Fintech & Tech-Enabled Partnerships Lead at CIB.
- Salah Abdel Razek: CEO of Cloudy.
- Mostafa Shahat: MENA Director for Founders Live.
Competing Startups
The April edition will showcase five diverse startups ready to scale:
- I-Gamify
- Marakbi
- Hiryo
- Insight Academy
- Tiryak
How to Attend
Founders Live Cairo is free to attend, but registration is required as space at Startup Haus Cairo is limited. Winners of the night receive the “Founders Live Booster Pack,” which includes over $1,000,000 in cash savings on essential startup tools and a chance to compete in global livestream tournaments.
- Get your free ticket: Eventbrite Link
- Apply to pitch at future events: Founders Live Pitch Application
About The Organizers
The event is powered by Spendbase, providing specialized AWS credit opportunities for early-stage teams. Community partners include Startup Haus Cairo | enpact, a leading hub for MENA entrepreneurs, and ORO E-Ventures, a cross-border venture growth catalyst that supports founders from idea to scale.
Learn More: Founders Live
