The DMZ partners with Universities of Canada in Egypt to accelerate startup growth in Cairo
DMZ Cairo to support high-potential entrepreneurs to elevate innovation and transform local economy
TORONTO, July 6, 2021 – Universities of Canada in Egypt (UofCanada) and Toronto Metropolitan University’s the DMZ are announcing a new partnership that will attract scalable startups and ignite a new wave of innovation in Cairo.
Launched today, the DMZ Cairo sector-agnostic incubator will support the growth of high-potential tech startups based in Egypt’s capital. The incubator will offer fully furnished workspaces, one-on-one guidance from dedicated Program Leads and mentors, peer-to-peer sessions, expert-led workshops, networking opportunities and more to accelerate their success.
As an ecosystem, Cairo offers an attractive landscape for entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses. Backed by a strong economy and social influence, startups are well-positioned to create strong business trajectories with access to new markets and investment opportunities. Cairo is well connected to the rest of the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as to Europe and North America, which offers startups great scaling opportunities. In 2020, startups in Egypt received a record $190 million in funding — more than one-fifth of every venture capital deal in the broader Middle East and North Africa region.
Earlier this year, Toronto Metropolitan University and UofCanada announced a new partnership and launched a campus in Cairo to provide students in the region with access to top-tier programming and global learning experiences. By introducing a world-class incubator, the DMZ, to Cairo, UofCanada is further building on its vision to drive an entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem through experiential learning, state-of-the-art facilities, and cutting-edge technology.
“The DMZ has a proven incubation model, as evidenced by the 500+ alumni startups that have raised over $1.24 billion dollars in only 10 years,” explained Hadia H. Abdel Aziz, Vice President at Universities of Canada in Egypt. “We are confident that DMZ’s presence in Egypt will greatly contribute to the development of the Egyptian entrepreneurship ecosystem, especially in supporting globally oriented tech startups.”
“We are thrilled to be expanding the DMZ’s global presence and supporting Universities of Canada in Egypt to create a launching pad for entrepreneurs,” said Sherif El Tawil, Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships at the DMZ. “Cairo has quickly become a competitive and vibrant centre for innovators. DMZ Cairo’s programming, mentorship and connections will give startup founders the tools they need to hit the ground running and grow their global footprint.”
While DMZ Cairo is based at UofCanada’s campus, participants do not need to be current students or affiliated with UofCanada to join the incubator program. Any entrepreneur who meets eligibility criteria is welcome to apply.
DMZ Cairo’s inaugural cohort kicks off this October. Cairo-based tech startups are welcome to apply by September 9, 2021. For more information and program eligibility requirements, visit dmz.to/DMZCairo.
Media contact
Luvy Hardy, DMZ
luvy.hardy@torontomu.ca
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About the DMZ
The DMZ is a startup incubator equipping the next generation of leading tech entrepreneurs with the tools needed to build, launch, and scale highly impactful startups. By providing connections to customers, coaching, capital, and a community, the DMZ’s customized approach helps innovators reach the next milestone in their entrepreneurial journey – whatever that might be. Through its award-winning programming, the DMZ has helped more than 500 startups raise $1.24 billion in capital and create 4,200+ jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with globally-accessible programming, the DMZ has a widely-recognized international presence with offices in Vietnam and India, and 70+ partnerships worldwide.
About Universities of Canada in Egypt
A campus hosting top Canadian universities with futuristic and unique programs, Universities of Canada in Egypt promotes an all-round dynamic and diverse student life. It is the first International Branch Campus in the New Administrative Capital. All programs hosted mirror a blend of international experiences, academics, and cultures. Universities of Canada in Egypt encourages an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset through experiential learning, state-of-the-art facilities, and cutting-edge technology.
