Entrepreneurs: Heroes in Egypt’s Economic Development

What to do after graduation?

Are you going to take an office job …

… or become an engineer, or doctor, like the rest of Egypt?

Or do you have what it takes to be an

ENTREPRENEUR

Entrepreneurs are Superheroes

Because they innovate

Create competition

Create new jobs

Generate revenue

and inspire others

Characteristics of an Entrepreneur

Example of Successful Young Entrepreneur

Name: Mark Zuckerberg

Age: 25

Started Facebook.com while studying computer science at Harvard University.

CEO and Founder of Facebook

Example of Successful Arab Entrepreneur

Name: Fadi Ghandour

Age: 51

Founded ARAMEX in 1982 Aramex was the first Arab company to be listed on NASDAQ

CEO and Founder of Aramex

Example of Successful Egyptian Entrepreneurs

Name: Nadia & Hind Wassef

Age: 35 & 38

Opened Diwan because they loved reading, and wanted to create a place that would celebrate Arab culture.

Founders of Diwan Bookstore

Name: Mostafa Hafez

Age: 26

Founded Timeline Interactiveafter graduating from Ain Shams University (Computer Science).

Founder of Timeline Interactive

Example of Successful Young Egyptian Entrepreneur

So, HOW do you get there?

First steps for Start-ups

1. Finance

Write a business-planCalculate your costs Double that! (be on

safe side, you’re always missing things)

Find angel investing (family, friends, SFD)

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1FIRSTEPs for Start-ups taken from material by Eric Zoetmulder

First steps for Start-ups

2. Interest & Commitment

Be passionate about what you do, you won’t have time for anything else!

Don’t just go for money, you will fail

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1FIRSTEPs for Start-ups taken from material by Eric Zoetmulder

First steps for Start-ups

3. Realistic

Do market-research (who are your clients, main competitors)

Start with realistic goals Respond to real

consumer need

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1FIRSTEPs for Start-ups taken from material by Eric Zoetmulder

4. Strategy

Make a strategic plan: how to go from zero to your Unique Value Proposition

First steps for Start-ups

5. Timing

Time the release of your product

If you’re too early, consumers won’t be interested

If you’re too late, others will have taken your model

First steps for Start-ups

6. Encouragement

Get feedback from friends, family & look for a mentor. You need their support

First steps for Start-ups

7. Planning

Plan for the worst case scenario – so you’re always prepared.

First steps for Start-ups

But most importantly...

Don’t be afraid to FAIL!

When you FAIL, it means youtook the RISK and learned..

FAILURE teaches you how todo BETTER next time...

Sources of Support

“Idea”

“Start-up/Business-plan”

“High-growth SMEs”

“Large to medium sized”

Endeavor works with HIGH-IMPACT entrepreneurs

Khaled Ismail

Fatma GhalyNadia &

Hind Wassef

Heba Jammal & Tarek Khaddaj

Omar Fathy

Ahmed Metwally & Mostafa Hafez

In order for more entrepreneurs to become HIGH IMPACT, we need to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem

Thank you!

Any questions?