Egypt’s Innovators and Geniuses Support Fund (IGSF) has announced the selection of five research teams for incubation through its Researchers to Entrepreneurs (R2E) and Startup Olympiad (Researchers Track) programs. The initiative, implemented by innovation management firm ASPIRE, aims to transform scientific research from Egyptian universities and institutes into viable, market-ready startups.
The announcement was made in the presence of key officials, including Dr. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister for Innovation, AI, and Scientific Research, and Dr. Tamer Hamouda, Executive Director of the IGSF, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-based economy.
Bridging Research and Entrepreneurship
Dr. Hossam Osman emphasized that converting scientific research into applicable projects is a key priority for the ministry’s strategy. He highlighted that the incubation programs are an effective mechanism for linking academic output with the developmental needs of the market.
“Empowering researchers with entrepreneurship skills and the tools of artificial intelligence contributes to building a new generation of knowledge-based entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Osman. “This enhances the competitiveness of the national economy and aligns with the state’s direction towards an innovative and sustainable economy, in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030.”
Meet the Inaugural Cohort
The selected teams represent a diverse range of technological solutions originating from Egypt’s leading academic and research institutions.
The teams chosen for the Researchers to Entrepreneurs (R2E) program include:
- Smart Forecasting Platform: from the Electronics Research Institute.
- BioAgrimax: from Damanhour University.
The teams selected for the Startup Olympiad incubation program are: - Palm Shield: from the Electronics Research Institute.
- Ecopace: from New Cairo Technological University.
- Lamarcki: from Cairo University.
Dr. Tamer Hamouda noted that the selected projects reflect the innovative spirit of Egyptian researchers. He confirmed that the winning teams will receive intensive support, including specialized mentoring and guidance sessions, to help them develop their business models and prepare for the next stage of launching scalable companies.
Fostering a National Innovation Ecosystem
The programs are designed to create a supportive environment within academic institutions to translate ideas into projects with economic and social impact. The Startup Olympiad’s researcher track saw participation from 23 teams across 18 universities and research centers, while the fifth cycle of the R2E program engaged 60 researchers from 42 institutions.
“These incubation programs serve as a practical platform to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within universities and research centers,” stated Dr. Weam Mahmoud, Executive Director of the Institutional Innovation Unit at the Ministry. She explained that the integration between academic innovation units and the IGSF helps build a national system that supports researchers from the idea stage to implementation.
About The Innovators and Geniuses Support Fund (IGSF)
The Innovators and Geniuses Support Fund is an Egyptian governmental body operating under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Its primary mission is to support researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs by providing funding, training, and incubation opportunities. The fund focuses on transforming innovative ideas and scientific research outputs into competitive startups that contribute to Egypt’s economic growth and sustainable development goals.
Source: Cairo24
