In a ceremony highlighting Egypt’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) and the National Alliance for Civil Development Work honored a number of startup founders and entrepreneurship experts during the second edition of the Athar Award 2026.
The event brought together senior government officials, representatives of financial institutions, and members of parliament to recognize outstanding contributions to innovation, venture capital, and startup development in Egypt.
Recognizing Leaders in Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital
The awards were presented by Bassel Rahmy, CEO of MSMEDA, Nabila Makram, Head of the Technical Secretariat of the National Alliance, Hisham Badr, Assistant Minister of Planning for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, and Hassan Mostafa, Chairman of CSR Egypt.
Among those honored were key figures supporting Egypt’s startup ecosystem, including Laila Abdelkader, Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank office in Egypt, in recognition of her role in supporting entrepreneurship and the venture capital program implemented by MSMEDA with funding from the World Bank.
Other honorees included Shehab Marzban, founder and managing partner of Camel Ventures, and Hany Al‑Sanbatti, co-founder and managing partner of Sawari Ventures, both recognized for their contributions to venture capital and startup investment.
In addition, a number of emerging entrepreneurs with innovative startups in fields such as technology, education, energy, and environmental solutions were honored for their creative ideas and business potential.
Strengthening Cooperation to Support Entrepreneurs
In her remarks, Amb. Nabila Makram emphasized the importance of coordination between public and private institutions in supporting development initiatives. She noted that the primary goal of the National Alliance is to strengthen cooperation among state entities, civil society organizations, and private sector partners to help achieve national development goals and improve citizens’ economic and social conditions.
Makram also highlighted MSMEDA’s role in empowering entrepreneurs and supporting youth and women through training programs, workshops, and initiatives focused on economic empowerment.
Government Commitment to a Strong Startup Ecosystem
Bassel Rahmy stated that MSMEDA’s participation in the initiative reflects the government’s commitment—under the directives of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly—to enhance cooperation with government institutions, private sector organizations, and civil society partners.
He also referred to the recently launched Startup Charter, which aims to create a supportive environment for innovators and entrepreneurs, enabling young Egyptians to transform creative ideas into sustainable businesses with strong growth potential.
Rahmy stressed that MSMEDA continues to develop programs, services, and financing tools designed to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and foster innovation across the country.
Encouraging Sustainable and Innovative Business Models
For his part, Hassan Mostafa noted that the Athar Award, now in its second edition, has become an important driver encouraging companies and institutions to adopt sustainability standards.
Mostafa also stressed the importance of supporting startup ventures, noting that such projects provide innovative solutions for the local market and hold strong potential for international expansion and export.
A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development
The Athar Award is organized in strategic partnership with the National Alliance for Civil Development Work and MSMEDA, with support from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
This collaboration aims to strengthen Egypt’s sustainable development agenda while fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and private sector engagement in addressing development challenges across the country.
