Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk was appointed as the Minister of Finance of Egypt in July 2024. He served as the Vice Minister of Finance for Fiscal Policies and Institutional Reform starting March 2016 till July 2024. Since then, he has been playing a leading role in planning and implementing Egypt’s macroeconomic and fiscal policies and reforms. He has also been the Chief Negotiator and Government focal point with the IMF since 2016. Performing his duties as the Vice Minister of Finance, he has been supervising and managing the functions of various policy-related units and departments at the Ministry of Finance, including the Macro Fiscal Policies Unit, Debt Management Unit, Public Private Partnership Unit, Transparency and Citizen Engagement Unit, the Public Financial Management Unit, as well as the Institutional Reform Unit. He has been managing miscellaneous work streams at the Ministry of Finance, including engagement with international institutions, rating agencies, investment banks, and investors. He has also been overseeing the process of setting and updating the Macro Fiscal Framework, including setting fiscal and debt targets over the medium‐term, preparing the annual budget, monitoring budget implementation, managing fiscal risks, and overlooking debt strategy and related policies. Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk also serves as Egypt's non-resident Executive Director at the Asian International Infrastructure Bank Board (AIIB) for seven years. Additionally, he leads Egypt’s inter‐ministerial team managing the annual economic dialogue with the EU. He is currently a board member at the Monetary-Fiscal Coordination Council, the Arab African Investment Bank, Egypt National Training Academy, National Defense Council, Heliopolis for Housing Development Company, Electricity Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Body, Misr Phosphate Company, the Egyptian Central Depository and Registry Company, as well as the Urban Development Economic Authority. He has been the Ministry of Finance’s focal coordinator with monetary authorities since 2016. Moreover, he served as a Board Member at the Central Bank of Egypt from April 2016 to June 2018, at Egypt Air Holding Company from 2018 to 2020, and at Misr Fertilizers Production Company (MOPCO) from January 2021 to April 2022, as well as at Talaat Mostafa Holding to July, 2024. He had been also entitled as a board member in several other institutions over the past years. Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk is a proficient economist and policy advisor with almost 25 years of applied experience. He worked as a Senior Economist for the World Bank from June 2013 to March 2016. Furthermore, he worked at the Ministry of Finance in several leading roles for more than 14 years, including the Vice Minister, the Economic Advisor, and the head of the Macro Fiscal Unit. He also served for the Ministry of External Trade and the Ministry of Economy in Egypt. He earned his master’s degree in Economic and Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2010, and a master’s degree in Economics from York University in the United Kingdom in 2002. He also had a B.A in Economics in 1998 from the American University in Cairo.

Paula Tavangar is a seasoned entrepreneur, who currently serves as Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital. Prior to that, Paula was focused on venture capital as Principal at SwissBorg Ventures. With a strong background in quantitative strategies, Paula co-founded Genesis Capital LATAM, overseeing the Quant Arbitrage Fund delivering consistent alpha. She also co-founded Wethaq, an Islamic Fintech startup. Paula's diverse expertise led her to serve on the World Business Angels Forum (WBAF) Global Startup Committee and as a commissioner representing WBAF in the UAE. She holds a B.A. in International Finance and an MSc in Financial Engineering with a focus on Automated Trading Systems.

Said Baaghil is a globally recognized brand scientist, strategic advisor, and author. With over two decades of experience in brand strategy, he has built a reputation for disrupting conventional thinking and helping both individuals and organizations unlock their true brand potential. Baaghil is the author of several internationally acclaimed books, including Brand Clarity, The Power of Belonging, and Create Your Space, and is the pioneer behind the BrandClarity OneWord Model — a strategic framework endorsed by leading academics and used by global businesses and visionary entrepreneurs. His consultancy work spans across continents, but his influence is especially felt in the Middle East, where he has guided major family businesses, private equity firms, and growth-stage companies in reshaping their brand strategy, marketing direction, and business transformation. Baaghil’s style is unapologetically bold. He doesn’t sugarcoat. He challenges leaders to think deeper, act bolder, and commit to creating real value. His platform now expands into digital knowledge products — enabling access to high-impact insights, frameworks, and tools for the next generation of brand leaders. Today, Said Baaghil is not just a consultant — he’s a thought leader, a builder of legacy brands, and a fierce advocate for authenticity, strategic depth, and fearless creation.

Paola joined ZHA in 1999 and has many decades of experience developing wide range of projects across Europe and Asia; excelling in the design and management of complex architectural projects demonstrate her detailed knowledge of the inter-related disciplines of urbanism, infrastructure, architecture and interior design. Paola is regularly invited to speak at renowned academic and professional institutions worldwide. Having grown-up in Rome, the city’s rich history and its contemporary development gave Paola a unique perspective on the renovation and re-use of existing built environments, which she continues to explore in her work for ZHA in cities across the globe.

Global Business Services leader with over 15 years’ experience in setting up and operating multi-functional Shared Services Centers in a Multinational FMCG Company. Experience working in captive Shared Service Centers and with BPO partners in Europe, Asia, Middle East / Africa, in an international environment. Passionate about building an inclusive and empowering culture, with a strong focus on coaching, talent and leadership development, resulting in engaged and high performing teams.

Jennifer is a Partner for ESG & Impact at Sawari Ventures. She joined the firm in 2019 and is responsible for managing the firm's ESG and Impact management system, including ESG risk assessment, capacity building, monitoring and reporting. Prior to working with Sawari Ventures, her career included positions at the Egyptian Junior Business Association, Transparency International, and HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA Governance Platform, where she worked in the fields of business integrity, anti-corruption, and SME capacity building. Jennifer studied in Hamburg/Germany and Sevilla/Spain and holds an M.Sc. in Social Sciences from the University of Hamburg.

Mohamed Fawzy works on building large-scale AI infrastructure to enhance researcher productivity and optimize GPU computing at NVIDIA. With a background in distributed systems and high-performance computing, he focuses on developing scalable, efficient, and reliable infrastructure that accelerates AI workloads. His work involves improving system performance, streamlining AI workflows, and enabling researchers to iterate faster on complex models. As Senior Director of Engineering at NVIDIA, I bring over nine years of experience leading large-scale machine learning and data infrastructure initiatives. My current role focuses on advancing AI platforms and infrastructure to optimize machine learning pipelines, improve developer productivity, and support innovative AI solutions. My expertise includes managing geo-distributed teams and scaling systems for complex AI and data needs. Previously, I directed a 140+ member organization at Cruise, where we developed infrastructure, dev tools, and AI platforms to accelerate machine learning development. My leadership reflects a commitment to empowering teams, driving innovation in ML scheduling, orchestration, and distributed deep learning, and delivering impactful solutions across AI-driven industries.

Karim is the Co-founder and Chief Product and Strategy Officer of Flow48. He was previously the CEO of Eqwal, a fintech company in Africa and the GCC, acquired by MojaGroup. His tech experience includes roles as Chief Product Officer at Fetchr and GM of Uber in Saudi Arabia. Karim was a Vice President at Citibank in New York, Jakarta, and Dubai and worked as a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and Delta Partners, advising on tech, telco, and media. He holds a Master’s in Artificial Neural Networks. Living in Dubai, he has two daughters and enjoys hiking and outdoor activities.

Jalil Allabadi is the CEO and Co‑founder of Altibbi, the Middle East’s leading digital health platform boasting over 20 million monthly users and 50 k telehealth consultations per month. With an M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Bologna and an MBA from Thunderbird, he’s an Endeavor Entrepreneur and a Schwab Foundation awardee driving accessible, affordable Arabic-language health care across MENA.

Mohamed Aboulnaga " Nagaty” is an emerging markets' venture builder, investor, and tech-entrepreneur with 15 years of experience in tech-entrepreneurship. He is currently Member of the Talent Retention and International Expansion Group within the Ministerial Committee for Entrepreneurship. Founder and Chairman of Foras (producer of the المال الحلال ) Co – Founder and Chairman of Exits the first fintech investment banking platform in the region and founder and CEO of " pie" the leading " M and A" advisory for startups firm in Egypt and the former the Co-Founder/CEO of KLIVVR (Egypt’s first digital agent banking platform), Co-Founder of Halan, Halan is Africa's largest super app and Egypt's most funded app in 2020 according to Forbes middle east, and most funded 2020/2021/2022. Partner/Co-founder in CashCows (largest early-stage startup catalyst in Egypt), Mumerz and pr and gov. Relations Advisor in Disruptech ventures (largest fintech fund in Egypt). Prior to Co-Founding Halan. Nagaty served as Regional Director at Careem, the Middle East's number one ride hailing application recently acquired by Uber for more than $3 billion. He also sits on the board of several Tech companies inlcuding Koinz, Robusta, Waffarha, Checkme and an angel investor in multiple tech startups including Gameball, Sharwa, Sokna, Gameya and many others Earlier. Nagaty, started his career at Fawry in account management and business development since 2012 till headed the BD (Fawry was the first tech-company to ipo in egypt reached 2B usd val in public markets) as well as starting Egypt's first food and beverage fund in 2010 and exiting it in 2015.

Can is founder of Alethina, an impact investment and advisory firm focused on scale poitive business impact on our planet's most pressing problems. His main passion is innovative financial structures and he works with businesses, funds, development finance institutions, governments, and foundations building partnerships, new strategies and promoting the design and use of alternative financing mechanisms. Can was one of the leads in structuring and managing Turkey's first social impact bond / outcomes based contract, focused on employment of disadvantaged youth in tech jobs. www.istanbulkodlyor.com Can is also a frequent writer and speaker on impact investment topics on various platforms and is a firm believer in the use of innovative impact financing structures as the most effective means to create increased "matches" between investors and impact companies, thereby engaging both more investors and entrepreneurs to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and other development needs.

Waleed A. Alballaa is the Managing Partner of Sukna Ventures. He brings over two decades of hands-on experience at the intersection of technology, business, and venture capital. Waleed was instrumental in launching multiple investment vehicles and serving on the boards of several prominent technology companies. This holistic experience gives him a firsthand understanding of the capital gaps that can hinder high-growth companies. An engineer at heart, Waleed cut his teeth in Silicon Valley and beyond—coding and rolling out products across wireless, semiconductors, and enterprise at Microsoft, Cadence Design, Conexant, and Skyworks Solutions over eight years. He spent another 8 years in operator role with the regional tech powerhouse, Elm. He holds a BSc in Computer Science from King Saud University and an MSc in Computer Science from Oregon Health & Science University. A committed ecosystem player, Waleed co-founded Riyadh Angel Investors, was a founding member in the Saudi VC & PE Association as well as the Saudi Business Analysis Association Group. He also co-hosted Thmanyah’s “Assouq” podcast and actively mentors emerging founders and participates in various flagship events as a speaker. Waleed is passionate about enabling the next wave of digital innovators across MENA remaining a steadfast optimist for the region's future through their groundbreaking work.

With a focus on seed-stage tech ventures in East Africa, our team at African Renaissance Ventures is dedicated to empowering founders who leverage technology to overcome significant challenges. Our investments target sectors critical for development—climate, financial inclusion, agriculture, healthcare, and logistics—where innovation can spur sustainable growth and prosperity while rewarding investors. As an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins SAIS, I impart real-world insights into the ethical deployment of technology, including AI, shaping the next wave of responsible digital development. My role on the Investment Committee of Co-Develop further extends my commitment to the global advancement of Digital Public Infrastructure, demonstrating my belief in technology as a cornerstone for equitable progress. I believe in harnessing the power of markets, technology, and investment to sustainably make people's lives better, and that the best opportunities for returns and impact can be found in places other investors overlook. Entrepreneurs with ground-breaking ideas can be constrained by a lack of capital and advice. My partners and I started African Renaissance Partners to back the best of those entrepreneurs. By solving big problems, these innovators create big markets. I have honed my ability to identify winners and manage risks through decades of experience in emerging markets as an investor, economist, strategist, and turnaround management. I lead with a strong sense of fairness, ethics, innovation, technical integrity, and commitment to a shared vision with clients and partners

Abdulrahman AlJiffry is a Partner at 500 Global, a VC firm with more than $2.2b in AUM with a truly global portfolio of active programs and companies. Abdulrahman is focused on the MENA Accelerator Fund, helping scale MENA most promising startups in a rapidly growing and maturing market. Additionally, he is an active angel investor with a diverse portfolio of startups across Saudi Arabia and the region. Abdulrahman is a board member of Oqal Angel Investor Network, the first and largest network of angels in KSA. He is is deeply passionate about supporting founders and has delivered countless workshops in 10+ countries in topics ranging from Fundraising & Pitching to Defensibility. Prior to 500 Global, Abdulrahman headed the Startup Programs at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST). Founding TAQADAM, the largest Accelerator program in the region and Destination DeepTech, a program helping global DeepTech companies soft-land in Saudi Arabia benefit from the ecosystem in MENA.

Ahmed is an experienced hedge fund manager and venture capitalist with expertise in private equity, angel investing, and venture building. He has a solid background in science, engineering, management, corporate governance, startup investment law, and corporate finance. In addition to being an assistant professor, he holds two masters degrees, and several multidisciplinary diplomas. Currently, Ahmed manages a hedge fund and some venture capital funds while advising on fund structuring projects for government, family offices, portfolio management, and policy advisory. He is well-positioned to provide valuable guidance and support to governments and businesses seeking to grow and succeed.

I am a seasoned Investor, Non-Executive Board Director, and Strategic Adviser with a proven track record across private equity, venture capital, corporate finance, and sustainable investments. With extensive international experience, I have guided multinationals, family offices, investment funds, and conglomerates through complex financial, regulatory, and strategic transformations—always with a clear focus on value creation, impact, and long-term resilience.

Fabio Lorenzon is the Managing Partner of Lorenzon Srl, an industrial manufacturing company with a long-standing legacy, and the Founder & CEO of SolutioAI, a fast-growing startup in the field of artificial intelligence. At just 28, Fabio bridges two very different worlds—traditional industry and cutting-edge technology. After unexpectedly taking over the family business, he led Lorenzon through a phase of modernization, global expansion, and operational transformation, opening a U.S. branch, a Saudi branch and redefining the company’s strategy in international markets. Driven by a passion for innovation and a belief in the power of data, he launched SolutioAI to help companies make smarter, faster decisions through AI-powered tools and platforms. Fabio is especially focused on making AI accessible for businesses that are not inherently tech-based, bridging the gap between vision and execution. He holds a master’s degree in industrial management engineering from Politecnico di Milano and has previous experience at Amazon, where he learned operational discipline and data-driven leadership. Fabio often speaks about entrepreneurship, leadership at a young age, and the human-centered use of artificial intelligence. He believes that being young is not a limitation, but a strength, especially when building companies that challenge the status quo.

Serial entrepreneur with 20 years of experience and demonstrated strengths in creating and implementing strategy, installing operational discipline and fostering a culture of execution to deliver best of class results for customers and stakeholders. Expertise in implementing high visibility process improvement initiatives affecting organizational change across all levels in diverse industries. Specialized in the implementation of Quality Management Systems and the deployment of Lean Six Sigma projects across a wide variety of businesses.

Ahmed Larouz is an internationally recognized entrepreneur, cleantech strategist, and innovation leader with over 25 years of experience building impactful ventures across Europe, Africa, and the MENA region. As founder of Bridgizz, a consultancy driving business development, innovation, and sustainability, Ahmed has supported governments, startups, corporates, and investors through tailored programs and international growth strategies. A pioneer in Africa’s green transition, he launched ClimateLaunchpad Morocco, training over 200 cleantech startups, and created Climovation, a platform to accelerate green innovation across the continent. He also founded Women in Cleantech, empowering women to lead climate solutions in partnership with GIZ's WOMENA project, and is the architect of the Cleantech Innovate Forum, launched with the EBRD to strengthen Morocco’s cleantech ecosystem. In addition to his entrepreneurship work, Ahmed is Managing Partner at Globalinux, guiding international investors into African markets. He has built diverse professional and diaspora networks that connect talent, expertise, and capital across borders, enabling impactful collaborations and market entry opportunities. His background includes leadership in inclusion and intercultural dialogue through initiatives like 180 Amsterdammers, the Ramadan Festival, and his consultancy Mexit. He has served as Minister of Communications for the State of African Diaspora and advised institutions such as RVO and MIT startup programs. Recipient of the Maghreb.NL Achievement Award and ABN AMRO Hero of the Year, Ahmed is a sought-after mentor, coach, and international speaker. At Techne Summit Alexandria 2025, he will lead a workshop on cleantech innovation—sharing strategies to empower climate entrepreneurs, build inclusive innovation ecosystems, and unlock Africa’s cleantech potential.

Onyi Anyado is a globally recognised Leadership Speaker, Futurist and Corporate Trainer. Onyi delivers bespoke keynotes and expert training sessions around the world where he speaks at conferences, corporate events and industry gatherings. Onyi speaks on topics including future thinking, the future of work, leadership development and distinction and AI and tech leadership. Known for his dynamic, cutting edge and insight driven approach, Onyi equips, educates and elevates leaders and organisations with practical thought leadership and tools to lead in the 2020's and beyond, the aeon which he's called the era of creative distinction. As a Corporate Trainer, Onyi designs and delivers bespoke learning and development programmes tailored for senior management teams and C-suite executives focusing on transformational leadership, organisational development and strategic innovation. His global impact spans countries such as Canada, Norway, South Africa, Tunisia and Canada with a distinguished client portfolio that includes Barclays, EY, Qiddiya and Diriyah Company.

With a unique blend of business establishments & growth expertise as well as business acumen, Hasan is a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of success across diverse industries. Established and led 20+ companies across Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and the Middle East, generating over 200 million SAR in combined revenue within the past 5 years. Empowering and mentoring the next generation; Fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region through mentorship and support is a key goal. Continuous learning and growth: Hasan is always exploring new challenges and opportunities to create even greater value.

Berat Kjamili is a tech entrepreneur and social innovator dedicated to building inclusive, future-ready communities at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact. He is the President of Kodluyoruz, one of Turkey’s largest coding and AI training NGOs, which has reached over 300,000 learners and enabled 10,000+ job placements, with the vision of positioning Turkey as a global hub for technology talent. He is also the Co-Founder of Dotshub, a co-creation and serendipity campus in Istanbul, transforming the historic Feriye Palace into a vibrant entrepreneurial hub for founders, investors, and changemakers. Previously, Berat founded Migport, a pioneering platform that connected refugees and locals through online entrepreneurship and mentorship programs, and co-founded e-Residence Turkey, which has served more than 10 million foreigners applying for residence permits. He co-organized the EUvsVirus Hackathon for the European Commission, the world’s largest online hackathon with over 21,000 participants. Internationally recognized, Berat has partnered with Microsoft, IBM, YouTube, Facebook, United Nations, DAAD, and KAS, delivering programs that have impacted 20 million+ people worldwide. He has published over 15 academic articles in Springer and IFORS, received 10+ international awards, and serves as President of the Alumni Board of the U.S. Department of State’s Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (TILN). Berat is a sought-after speaker and advisor, passionate about AI for good, open innovation, and ecosystem building. His work blends technology with human connection, always guided by his core values: Diversity and Inclusion, Innovation, Ethics, Work SMART, and Make History.

Global Director of Finance at Noon - Social learning platform. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed by the Guam Board of Accountancy (USA), with one year of experience as a Regional Finance Director at Majid Al Futtaim. Previously served as the CFO of Jumia Egypt (E-commerce, JumiaPay, and Jumia Food) for three and a half years, and as the Statutory and Tax Regional Leader at GE (General Electric) for three years. Additionally, I have seven years of experience with two of the Big Four audit firms—four years at Ernst & Young and three years at KPMG—specializing in assurance services across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, utilities, not-for-profit organizations (NFP), transportation, and logistics.

Kareem Abou Gamrah - Bio For over a decade, Kareem has been at the forefront of all things digital and digital content,Kareem is CEO of one the middle east’s leading content creation companies “Peace Cake”. Before the billions of views acquired he had his start at Google with a specialization in digital marketing when the market was still in its infancy. Kareem worked through countless companies and projects to build a strategic focus around online content and content consumption. Aside from being a speaker and advisor to the content industry, now the CEO of Peace Cake, he works to create content for consumers and companies that fits this modern fast-paced world we’re now in; reaching millions around the Middle East everyday. كريم أبو جمره مدير تنفيذي - بيس كيك لأكتر من 10 سنوات، كريم كان دايمًا في الصدارة في المجال الرقمي والمحتوى الرقمي، وبدأ ده بسبب شغله في شركة جوجل في تخصص التسويق الرقمي، لما كان المجال لسه في بدايته. كريم اشتغل في شركات كتيرة ومشاريع أكتر عشان يحدد تركيزه على المحتوى الموجود على الإنترنت وعلى استهلاكه. بجانب كونه داعم ومتحدث باسم صناعة المحتوى، كريم حاليًا المدير التنفيذي لشركة بيس كيك، واحدة من رواد وسائل الإعلام الجديدة في الشرق الأوسط. بيس كيك تنتج محتوى للمستهلكين وللشركات مناسب لمواكبة العصر السريع اللي عايشين فيه دلوقتي، ولها الملايين من المتابعين وحوالي نص مليار مشاهدة، وبيزيدوا كل يوم.

Graduate with honors from Fine Arts School of Design- Helwan University Cairo in 2002, with over 20 years of consulting and management experience in both local and international firms. Heba has recently been selected as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Egypt for the year 2022. Heba El Dessouky is heading the Hospitality Development at City Edge Developments- with the most diverse portfolio of hospitality projects across Egypt. Previously Heba was heading the Interior Design department at EMAAR MISR -a well-known real estate developer in the Middle East and North Africa- for over 15 years & supervised the development of several lifestyle communities across residential, commercial & hospitality products.  Heba at an early stage has established several interior architecture units in several consulting firms, including Dar Handasah and ECG. Driven from her belief that an interior architect should experiment their own ideas with high integrity, responsiveness,artistic and technical ability as well as sustainable responsibility, Heba obtained her Ph.D. In 2020 titled: “Setting an evaluation tool for lowering energy expenditure and increasing human well-being in the interior renovation process of office buildings in Egypt”, her mindset sets parameters to solve complex design problems that tackles energy expenditure to promote innovation & well being in the built environment with optimal values & energy rates. In addition to her current role, she has spoken at several conferences and career summits about real estate, interior design, and energy savings, as well as design challenges. Heba is also a certified Career Coach from the International Coaching Federation USA (ICF) and a member of the AUC architecture department advisory board in Cairo.

Dr. Mohamed Talaat Founder & CEO, Mohamed Talaat Architects (MTA) Dr. Mohamed Talaat is an internationally recognized Egyptian architect whose visionary work blends cultural sensitivity with contemporary innovation. Born in Cairo in 1974, he began his architectural journey with a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Design in 1996. In pursuit of academic and professional excellence, he went on to earn a Master’s degree in 2014—focusing on the synergy between interior and architectural design—and completed his Ph.D. at Atlantis University in the United States in 2017. In 1999, Dr. Talaat established Mohamed Talaat Architects (MTA), a design-led architecture and urban planning firm that has grown into a regional leader with offices in Cairo, Riyadh, and Dubai. Under his leadership, MTA has delivered landmark projects across the Middle East and Africa, with a portfolio extending to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, South Africa, Chad, and Turkey. Dr. Talaat’s design philosophy is rooted in creating architecture that balances aesthetic excellence with human-centered functionality. He believes that architecture should not only serve practical purposes but also enhance quality of life and cultural identity. This approach has positioned MTA as a firm known for designing vibrant, contextually grounded spaces—from mixed-use developments to urban master plans. Complementing MTA’s core operations are its two sister companies, MTI and Ridge Regal, which expand the firm’s capabilities in specialized technical design and turnkey project execution.

Serial Entrepreneur | CEO of Entreprenelle | General Manager at School of Fashion Management | Advocate for Women's Economic Inclusion As a seasoned entrepreneur and a champion for gender equality, I lead initiatives that drive social and economic development across the Middle East. With over 15 years of experience, I have successfully bridged the gap between social development, entrepreneurship, and business management, focusing on creating meaningful opportunities and fostering sustainable change. Founder & CEO, Entreprenelle Under my leadership, Entreprenelle has empowered over 500,000 women, particularly in underprivileged areas, by providing access to essential education, training, and resources. Our work has facilitated the launch of over 10,000 projects, significantly advancing women's economic inclusion. General Manager, School of Fashion Management I steer efforts to strengthen the fashion industry's infrastructure and propel the creative economy forward by equipping professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and tools. My focus is on innovation through smart technology integration, including the strategic application of AI to enhance industry practices and sustainability. AI Integration and Leadership With a keen interest in the intersection of technology and social impact, I integrate advanced AI solutions to enhance operational efficiencies and decision-making processes in both organizations I lead. This forward-thinking approach not only optimizes our projects but also sets a benchmark for tech-driven social enterprises.

Ahella El Saban is the visionary Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Exits MENA, driving innovation in investment and startup growth across the region. Recognized by *Forbes* in 2025 as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen, her career bridges tech, marketing, and consumer behavior with a transformative impact. At Exits MENA, Ahella leads efforts to simplify and democratise deal-making for startups and SMEs. Through a unique 'phygital' model—combining offline advisory with an automated digital platform—Exits connects founders with investors and acquirers, positioning itself as a key ally in the MENA region's investment ecosystem. She is also the founder of **Lumas**, a market research and training venture that has delivered digital transformation programs to over 150,000 individuals. Under her leadership, Lumas has partnered with Google, TikTok for Business, Nestlé, and global bodies like the ILO, as well as Egypt’s Ministry of Investment (GAFI), executing over 14 research projects and collaborating with 30+ regional partners. Previously at Google MENA, Ahella played a pivotal role in shaping digital advertising strategies for brands across various sectors, using her expertise in B2B marketing and consumer insight to guide digital transformation and growth. An academic at heart, she lectures in consumer behavior and entrepreneurship and is completing her PhD on identity and luxury consumption in the Arab world. Ahella holds an MA from Durham University, a BSc from Loughborough University and BUE, and executive certifications from INSEAD and Google’s CXO Academy. A passionate mentor, Ahella empowers founders with the tools, mindset, and storytelling needed for investment readiness, making her a sought-after voice in both local and global startup ecosystems.

May El Hachem is a lawyer and policy advisor working at the intersection of law and technology. With experience across Europe and the Middle East, she focuses on how innovation and AI are reshaping governance, business, and society.

Mr. Hossam Heiba is an experienced investment banker and direct investment professional with more than 32 years of experience of which 25 years management experience in setting up, managing, negotiating and enhancing direct investments in more than 15 different sectors and industries with international practice standards that involved undertaking different tasks that varied between managing investment companies and assuming operating roles, restructuring activities and companies, developing and executing workable business plans, initiating and developing start up projects and companies in the various sectors and countries. Mr. Heiba assumed several roles in various high profile companies and institutions such as Banking in Misr Iran Investment Bank, Management consultation in Coopers & Lybrand Management Consulting (currently PwC), Government Agencies in the Public Enterprise Office (PEO) - The Privatization Agency of Egypt, Direct investments & Asset Management in Al Ahly for Development & Investment (ADI), Venture Capital as CEO of Investia Venture Capital, Private Equity as Vice President of Egypt Kuwait Holding Co. (Al Kharafi Group) for Energy, Family Office as CIO in Energya Holding (DIFC), Advisory services as Managing Partner of Orbis Capital and Investment, Private Equity as Senior Partner in Beltone Private Equity as well as the Chief Investment Officer of ADI and the Fund Manager of both Bedaya SME Fund & Papyrus Tourism Fund, Non-banking Financial services as the CEO of Basata for SME & Microfinance. During his years of experience, Mr. Heiba has restructured, solicited & raised finances, conducted equity and debt underwriting through introducing new strategic investors or IPO’s as well as provided investment consulting and advisory services, through dealing with various financial institutions such as international banks, multilateral institutions, the World Bank; in addition to multinational and regional firms serving in more than 20 various sectors.

Nour Emam is the Co-Founder and President of Daleela, a women’s health app used by over 170,000 women across the MENA region. Daleela offers AI-powered diagnostics, culturally sensitive health education, and a bilingual period and fertility tracker — all designed to make healthcare more accessible and judgment-free for Arab women. Nour built one of the region’s most trusted health platforms by combining medically accurate information with a deeply empathetic, culturally relevant voice. Her work focuses on breaking taboos and making topics like periods, fertility, hormones, and sexual wellness easier to understand and talk about. She is also a seasoned podcaster whose show once reached the #1 spot on Apple Podcasts in Egypt. Her impact has been recognized globally, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women and featured in The New York Times. Her work has also appeared in Fast Company Middle East, Inc. Arabia, Vogue and other major outlets.

Yasmine has over 10 years of experience managing teams and programs. She is currently the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at ElGameya, where she oversees the collection, customer service, risk, back office, tech, and product departments, ensuring smooth operations and that customer needs are met. Before joining ElGameya, Yasmine was the Acceleration Manager at AUC Venture Lab, Egypt's first university-based startup accelerator and a leading program in Africa and the MENA region. There, she worked with over 300 companies, helping them launch and grow their businesses. This experience gave Yasmine deep insight into Egypt's startup scene and the challenges entrepreneurs face in accessing finance, managing operations, and scaling growth. She also developed a strong understanding of the needs of early-stage startups and how to accelerate their success.

Prof. Hesham Farouk is an Advisor for Technology Development, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Since March 2023. Dr. Farouk was as assistant minister of higher education and scientific research for Digital transformation 2020-2023 Dr. Farouk is a Prof. In Electronics Research Institute (ERI), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Dr. Farouk participated in some strategic studies as mobile for development, National cloud computing, Arabic eContent, Government mobility and ERI 2030 Road map. Dr. Farouk is a consultant in ITU (International Telecommunication Union)

Seasoned executive and venture capital leader with 30 years of cross-sector experience in entrepreneurship, startup ecosystem development, driving frontier markets, and strategy consulting. A driving force behind Egypt’s National Startup and Venture Capital Strategy.

With over 25 years of experience in the marketing field, I have had the privilege of managing some of the most iconic and well-loved brands in the Egyptian market, particularly within the sweet side of the food industry. Throughout my career, I have successfully built, grown, and transformed brands into success stories, combining strategic vision with hands-on execution. In addition to my corporate experience, I have spent the past nine years as a faculty member at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AAST), where I share my expertise with the next generation of marketers. Beyond academia, I have also delivered specialized training courses to aspiring marketers from the UAE and Sudan, further extending my contribution to shaping marketing professionals across the region. This unique blend of practical leadership, academic involvement, and regional training experience has shaped my holistic approach to brand building, consumer engagement, and marketing innovation.

Mostafa Elnahhas is a seasoned technology leader with over 25 years of international experience in the software industry. He currently serves as the CEO of Technology at Fawry, leading the technological advancements of the company. Additionally, he holds the CEO and Chairman positions at FIS (Fawry Integrated Systems), a subsidiary and the technological arm of Fawry. Elnahhas was a founding member of Fawry, demonstrating his long-term commitment to the company's success. Elnahhas' expertise spans across various technological domains, including EBPP, eCommerce, ePayment, eBanking, FinTech, Mobile Money, and Travel technologies. His educational background includes a B.Sc. in Computer Systems Engineering from Alexandria University and an Executive MBA from the American University in Cairo.

John is located in Silicon Valley, California, the hub for innovation and technology. They hold a mechanical engineering undergraduate and an Masters in Business Administration from Cornell University, with over 15+ years of experience within technology working for companies such as Microsoft Japan, Oracle, and IBM. They have traveled to over 25 countries, and have mentored, designed and led workshops for organizations such as Plug and Play, San Francisco Tech Week, WeWork, supporting the goals of start-ups globally. John’s expertise lies in helping overseas companies thrive in the U.S. through customized workshops, mentorship, and strategic guidance. John is also an author of three books, one becoming an Amazon #1 best seller.

Ezz is currently working as an Investment Manager at a prominent Saudi-based venture studio called VMS. He previously held the position of Portfolio Manager at Egypt-based corporate venture capital EdVentures and Senior Investment Analyst at Alexandria Angels Network.In the past 5 years he has closed 11 deals worth $12 million and reviewed over 800 deals and managed over 20+ portfolio companies. Ezz holds a certificate in electromechanical engineering from Alexandria University, an MBA from the Arab Academy for Technology and Maritime, and obtained CFA Level 1. He has been involved in the startup scene since 2018 and shifted his focus to the venture capital and private equity industries in 2020.

PwC / BCG / BMW / GIZ LMU Munich / TU Munich / ESADE Barcelona

Mine (Kocadağ) Dedekoca Global Alumni Lead & Business Associate, Global Startup Awards Mine Dedekoca is a serial entrepreneur, startup mentor, and ecosystem builder with 15+ years of leadership experience in international technology companies. She serves as Global Alumni Lead and Business Associate at Global Startup Awards (GSA), the world’s largest independent startup competition, where she connects founders, investors, and ecosystem players across regions to drive innovation and growth. As founder of Start-IST, Mine has mentored hundreds of startups from idea stage to scale-up, helping them access global investor networks and adopt lean, agile practices. She has organized over 500 entrepreneurship events, panels, and workshops, making her one of the pioneers of Turkey’s startup and future-of-work ecosystem. Recognized as an early advocate of flexible work and digital talent models, Mine has worked with global platforms such as Upwork, Star of Service, and Crossover, where she was awarded “Most Successful Country Director.” She is also active in international communities such as Running Remote and Hacking HR, contributing perspectives on the changing nature of work. Mine regularly mentors in global acceleration programs and continues to champion startup innovation both locally and internationally through her roles with GSA and other entrepreneurship initiatives.

Selma Ribica is a Fintech entrepreneur, VC investor and a veteran of the African FinTech industry. Now based out of Casablanca, Selma is managing First Circle Capital, Africa's specialized, fintech focused fund, backed by prominent institutional investors and today counting 15 portfolio companies across 8 African markets. As an early executive at M-Pesa, she was in charge of expansion and product innovation. After that, Selma founded, scaled and sold a FinTech business in London, serving underbanked migrants. Since 2017, Selma has been an active angel in FinTech including names like Qonto, Expensya, THNDR etc. She serves on board of fintech businesses in the region and advises prominent venture capital investors in Africa. INSEAD alumna

I am Mohamed Alaa, a purpose-driven entrepreneur committed to reshaping the future of mental health, economic collaboration, and social development across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. As the CEO of Shezlong, I’ve led the region’s first and largest online therapy platform serving millions of people across 85 countries and proving that innovation can heal, empower, and unite.

Mohamed El-Alfy brings over 18 years of leadership experience in multinational corporations across the automotive industry, high-voltage substation projects, operations management, and supply chain management throughout the Middle East and Africa. He is currently the Regional Supply Chain Director for Solution Projects and Service Operations at Schneider Electric, where he leads complex, multi-country operations. With a proven track record of driving high-impact results across cultures and functions, Mohamed offers valuable insights into supply chain innovation, operational resilience, and leading transformation in complex and emerging markets. Over his 11+ years at Schneider Electric, Mohamed has held several leadership roles, including Middle East & Africa Customer Care Center Director, where he transformed customer and technical support services across diverse markets. As the Regional CS&Q I2P Leader, he led significant transformation programs focused on the customer experience journey, enhancing quality management systems from issue resolution to prevention. Mohamed’s earlier role at Alstom Grid focused on large-scale high- and medium-voltage substation project execution, stakeholder engagement, and infrastructure development across Egypt, North Africa, and Central Africa. He began his career in the automotive industry at LEONI Wiring Systems, managing electrical harness projects for Aston Martin and Land Rover. Mohamed is recognized for his expertise in change management, cross-border leadership, and delivering impactful initiatives. His career reflects a strong commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration across diverse cultures.

Mariam Kamel is an investment professional with 15+ years of experience. Mariam began her career in Investment Banking advising companies in connection with equity capital markets transactions. Mariam co-founded FLOW, a business in the health and wellness space, whose operations spanned multiple locations. She holds an MBA from the London Business School. Mariam is currently a General Partner at LoftyInc Capital, a pan-African venture capital firm investing in early-stage tech startups.

Khaled Ashraf is the Customer Success Manager at Foodics, leading post-sales success, retention, and customer engagement initiatives in Egypt. With a strategic focus on building scalable CS models, Khaled works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure proactive support, improve product adoption, and reduce churn. Since joining Foodics, Khaled has focused on strengthening the Customer Success function by embedding data-driven processes and customer health monitoring frameworks. This has enabled faster identification of at-risk clients and more meaningful engagement, resulting in improved retention and upsell outcomes. Prior to joining Foodics, Khaled held senior roles in banking and SaaS, with a proven track record in operations management, vendor strategy, and digital transformation. With an engineering background and an MBA, he brings a structured and analytical mindset to solving complex business challenges and scaling operations. Passionate about building strong customer relationships, Khaled is currently working on initiatives that connect success metrics with long-term value, ensuring clients not only stay but grow with Foodics.

Youssef Kamal is the Founder of the People of Data Community and a data leader with over five years of experience in building and leading data teams. He currently serves as the Director of Data at @advaegypt, a fintech company, where he oversees data strategy, credit scoring, infrastructure, and analytics. He also shares his expertise as an AI and Data Science Tutor at @udacity, helping business leaders in the MENA region with data science and digital transformation. Youssef is a board member at Euclid Data Science Consultancy, providing consultancy for startups and SMEs. Boasting three master’s degrees and is pursuing a fourth in Artificial Intelligence. Youssef has extensive experience in data science within fintech, banking, e-commerce, and supply chain sectors. He has contributed to startups in Germany and Budapest, founded data science teams for Cairo startups, and established a growing data science consulting firm. He is passionate about teaching online courses in data science and AI, aiming to empower thousands in Saudi Arabia, and is focused on leveraging AI to enhance healthcare for millions in Egypt. Youssef is also a founding partner in a foundation dedicated to social development.

Waleed Khalil is a prominent figure in the world of engineering, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. With a career spanning over two decades, Waleed has gained extensive experience in manufacturing consumer electronic products across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Egypt. In early 2023, Waleed started DEN VC, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in deep tech startups in Africa and the Middle East. Through investments in companies such as Proteinia, Obian, and Your Parts, DEN VC has demonstrated its commitment to promoting investment diversity, positive impact, and potential for significant financial returns. Prior to founding DEN VC, Waleed served as a partner at Endure Capital from 2016 to 2022. Endure Capital is a highly successful venture capital firm with a global presence, having invested in several regions around the world. During his tenure, Waleed played a key role in securing investments that led to the emergence of four unicorns, including Careem, Boom Supersonic, Tribal Credit, and Aspect Biosystems. Throughout his career, Waleed has also been a respected mentor to hundreds of tech startups in the Arab region and Africa. He has also been a distinguished speaker at numerous entrepreneurship events such as Gitex, Biban, Techne Summit, Riseup summit, and many more. Waleed's academic achievements include a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from Cairo University and an MBA with a major in finance from the American University in Cairo. Waleed is a professor at the school of business in the American University in Cairo.

Ahmed Naguib is the General Manager of Bubblegum Factory, a digital agency based in Cairo, Egypt operating across the Middle East with a special focus on Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He’s also the CEO of food-focused media company HUMM Network, which currently stands at over 2 Million followers and subscribers.