The Initiatives Center at the Misk Foundation has announced the graduation of the third cohort from its Misk 500 accelerator program. In partnership with the global venture capital firm 500 Startups, the program saw 16 early-stage companies from across the MENA region successfully complete the intensive curriculum.
Adapting to a Virtual Format
In response to the global circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, the 14-week program was conducted entirely online. Founders participated in a series of virtual workshops and training sessions designed to help them execute their business plans and overcome key growth challenges. The Misk Foundation’s Initiatives Center emphasized its commitment to empowering youth under any circumstances, highlighting the program’s successful pivot to a remote learning model. Sharif El-Badawi, Managing Partner at 500 Startups MENA, congratulated the founders and mentors for the smooth and rapid transition to a fully digital format, noting that the founders gained valuable insights despite the challenging times.
A Diverse MENA Cohort
The third batch featured a diverse group of startups from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. The participating companies are building a range of B2B and B2C solutions across various sectors, including fitness, recruitment, e-commerce, and healthtech, reflecting the dynamic innovation landscape of the region.
Upcoming Virtual Demo Day
The program will culminate in a virtual Demo Day where the graduating startups will present their ventures to an audience of investors and ecosystem stakeholders. The digital event is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 11th, at 9:30 PM KSA time. Interested parties can stream the presentations live on YouTube.
About Misk 500
Misk 500 is an accelerator program organized by the Misk Foundation’s Initiatives Center in collaboration with 500 Startups. The program is dedicated to supporting and scaling early-stage technology companies in the Middle East and North Africa by providing mentorship, training, and access to a global network of investors and experts.
Source: Maaal
