Financing Innovation in Egypt: New Models for Engagement
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Featuring Hossam Allam (@samallam), Founder, Cairo Angels
Moderated by Chris Schroeder (@cmschroed), Angel Investor and Author, Startup Rising
Despite political uncertainty and a challenging economic environment in Egypt, young entrepreneurs are building startups that are starting to stimulate job creation and innovation in the Egyptian economy. Entrepreneurs face numerous challenges, including minimal early-stage financing opportunities, lack of guidance, and the lack of a proper infrastructure needed for small businesses to thrive. However, new local business groups, venture funds, incubators, academic institutions, and nonprofits are starting to come together to create an ecosystem supportive of entrepreneurship and innovation. Can they drive real impact on the ground?
Please join us for a discussion with one of Egypt’s leading angel investors on new business opportunities in Egypt and ways US and global partners can support, participate, and invest in this rising entrepreneurial trend. Hossam Allam (@samallam) founded Cairo Angels in 2012 as a not-for-profit introduction service for interested investors to meet and ultimately invest in high-potential Egyptian startups. Cairo Angels’ has in the past 2 years received scores of applications and invested almost $1 million (USD) in eight Egyptian start-ups. Hossam also runs the operations and maintenance arm of the Egyptian construction group Hassan Allam Holdings. He previously spent 10 years originating oil and gas opportunities for Shell International. Hossam holds a bachelor’s of science degree in marine science from Southampton University’s Oceanography Centre and an MBA from London Business School.