Empowering Women Founders: AUC Venture Lab Launches Futuremakers Women in Tech Egypt
In collaboration with Standard Chartered Foundation and Village Capital, AUC Venture Lab—the startup accelerator at the heart of the Onsi Sawiris School of Business—has launched Futuremakers Women in Tech Egypt, an inspiring new program designed to uplift and support women founders who are building bold, tech-driven solutions for some of the country’s most urgent challenges.
For the first time in Egypt, this globally recognized program is offering women entrepreneurs not just resources and funding, but real, meaningful access to knowledge, networks and a community that believes in their potential.
Fueling Ambitions and Turning Ideas Into Impact
Futuremakers Women in Tech Egypt is a three-month journey created especially for early-stage, women-led startups working across a wide range of sectors, from healthcare and education to climate, agriculture and mobility. The program combines mentorship from experienced founders and industry experts, tailored workshops to sharpen business and leadership skills and exposure to investors and ecosystem partners. By the end of the program, three standout teams will receive up to $10,000 in equity-free funding to help bring their vision to life. But perhaps just as important, every participant will leave with something far more valuable: Clarity, confidence and connections that last well beyond the accelerator.
A Celebration of Vision, Drive and Community
The program officially kicked off on May 26, 2025, with a vibrant launch event at Moataz Al Alfi Hall, AUC New Cairo. It was a day filled with energy, optimism and the shared belief that when women thrive, economies and societies thrive with them. Attendees heard from Sherif Kamel, dean of the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, who reaffirmed the school’s commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship and Rola Abu Manneh, CEO of UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, who spoke about the power of opportunity and the need to support women innovators across the region.
The event also featured an insightful panel discussion - moderated by Ahmed Fadl, senior program manager at Village Capital, with panelists included Azza El Shinnawy, founder of PortfolioTECH; Farah Emara, co-founder of FreshSource, Mohamed Gad, CEO and head of coverage for Egypt at Standard Chartered and Ayman Ismail, founding director of AUC Venture Lab.
A Program Designed with Women at the Center
This program isn’t just about funding—it’s about giving women the space, tools and support they need to thrive. It’s about building a space where entrepreneurs can ask questions, test ideas, meet role models and be part of a network that sees them and backs them. Whether you're developing a pop climate-resilient farming solution, building a mobile health platform or reimagining how communities access clean water, this is a place where your work matters.
Looking Ahead
At the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, we believe that inclusive innovation is not a trend—it’s the future. By investing in women, we invest in entire communities, industries and economies. Futuremakers Women in Tech Egypt reflects our shared belief in the power of entrepreneurship to drive real change.