Banque Misr has marked a major milestone in Egypt’s sustainability and entrepreneurship landscape by celebrating the closing ceremony of the first cohort of “TEQDAR Go Green”—the country’s first green business accelerator. The event, held in Cairo, brought together senior officials, including Ahmed Issa, Executive Vice President of Banque Misr, alongside representatives from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Chemonics Egypt, the technical support partner for the program.
The accelerator focused on early-stage startups working in critical green sectors such as recycling, renewable energy, energy and resource efficiency, and waste-to-energy technologies.
A Green First for Egypt
Out of more than 100 applicants, only 9 startups reached the final stage of the TEQDAR Go Green program after undergoing rigorous rounds of evaluation. At the closing ceremony, these companies presented their final pitches—each showcasing innovative, scalable solutions for environmental challenges.
Banque Misr announced its intention to invest in a selected group of these startups via its dedicated innovation arm, Misr Innovation & Entrepreneurship Without Borders. This move aligns with the bank’s strategy to foster environmental innovation, social impact, and sustainable economic growth.
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The program was launched in collaboration with UNIDO under the umbrella of the Inclusive Green Growth in Egypt (IGGE) initiative—funded by the Swiss government—and executed in partnership with Chemonics Egypt, which provided technical and advisory support throughout the acceleration process.
Dr. Susan Hamdy, Head of Sustainability and Sustainable Finance at Banque Misr, emphasized that the program is directly aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which places sustainability and the transition to a green economy at the heart of national development.
“Environmental innovation is a cornerstone for a more resilient and sustainable future. This accelerator is part of Banque Misr’s broader strategy to link green technology with integrated financing and advisory solutions to help entrepreneurs scale their impact,” she said.
Dr. Hamdy also commended the participating startups for their ingenuity in tackling real-world challenges through sustainable business models and reaffirmed the importance of strategic partnerships in delivering lasting economic and environmental value.
Laying the Foundation for Egypt’s Green Startup Ecosystem
Speaking on behalf of UNIDO, Anachiara Scardoni, Project Manager of the Inclusive Green Growth in Egypt (IGGE) program and Industrial Development Expert, expressed pride in the partnership with Banque Misr.
“This is the beginning of a new generation of green acceleration programs in Egypt. TEQDAR Go Green is an innovative pathway for scaling micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that are committed to environmental sustainability,” Scardoni said.
She added that supporting early-stage green ventures is a crucial step in realizing inclusive, climate-resilient growth in Egypt and across the region.
ٍٍShift Toward Green, Innovation-driven Economy
With Banque Misr’s investment commitment and the momentum created by the first TEQDAR Go Green cycle, Egypt is poised to accelerate its shift toward a green, innovation-driven economy. The program also highlights how public-private partnerships, guided by global expertise, can nurture a new generation of impact-driven entrepreneurs who are reshaping the future of sustainability in Egypt.
