Egypt's Startup Scene(kerningcultures.com)
kerningcultures.com
Egypt's Startup Scene
http://kerningcultures.com/episodes/egypt-startup-scene
11 comments
This is an incredibly complex topic. Believe me, most of my Egyptian friends and family will wax poetic of the same difficulties and desire to leave/ have already left. There's no way to do a response justice in a post, but we are working as we speak on episode about brain drain from Egypt in attempt to make sense of the complexities. Would love you input, if you'd like to be involved: hebah [at] kerningcultures.com
We spent a few weeks researching for this piece, happy to answer any questions you might have!
When I read the article, what immediately came to my mind (and was not mentioned by the way) is how this ecosystem is dealing with the corruption mess of such government(s)?
Finding funding, specially early stage seed fund, is very difficult in the first-world, not to mention it is almost impossible in a third-world country like Egypt (where I was born and lived most of my life), how is that being resolved?
Finally, I really wish to see the startup scene improving in my home country, this will develop a new generation of entrepreneurs that are willing to take the rotten bureaucracy for a ride and push to improve the governing policies.
Finding funding, specially early stage seed fund, is very difficult in the first-world, not to mention it is almost impossible in a third-world country like Egypt (where I was born and lived most of my life), how is that being resolved?
Finally, I really wish to see the startup scene improving in my home country, this will develop a new generation of entrepreneurs that are willing to take the rotten bureaucracy for a ride and push to improve the governing policies.
You're absolutely right, we didn't address corruption in this piece. Will make a note for future conversations, thanks for bringing it up! As for fundraising, it's really tough -- and as expressed by some of these entrepreneurs, they've had to look abroad for funding. Some new initiatives, like the Cairo Angels, have emerged and seeded the landscape with funds -- but they're a limited number, relative to the number of startups. We'll address a bit of this investor dynamic / aversion to risk in an upcoming episode on startups in Dubai; would love your thoughts on that, too!
You're tying up the re-birth of entrepreneurship to the 2011 revolution that happened in Egypt. But isn't the ousting of past-elected president and the forced takeover by el-Sisi (a military man) a sign of complacency from the youth in particular?
You're basing your whole point on this revolution that was undone soon after, which really takes away from the core points of your article. That said I can definitely imagine how much of a positive impact an attempted revolution could have on people's appetite for change.
You're basing your whole point on this revolution that was undone soon after, which really takes away from the core points of your article. That said I can definitely imagine how much of a positive impact an attempted revolution could have on people's appetite for change.
I don't think it's fair to discount present entrepreneurial endeavours because of Sisi's regime post-revolution -- which, my own opinions aside, many Egyptians are still proud of and feel like he's doing well by the nation.
Regardless of politics, it's still incredible how many young Egyptians are starting and sustaining businesses.. and particularly ones that are solving social and environmental problems that systems (political or otherwise) have not fixed.
Regardless of politics, it's still incredible how many young Egyptians are starting and sustaining businesses.. and particularly ones that are solving social and environmental problems that systems (political or otherwise) have not fixed.
I wonder if you would have cared so much if the previous "elected" president were German national socialists? Because the previous "elected" were Muslim Brotherhood rats.
I don't like commenting on others' politics and governments (Egypt in this case). I do for my own because I have the right to. But wouldn't a predominantely Muslim country vote for a Muslim government? Wouldn't a Christian-founded country like the US ensure its president is Christian? I think it's fair and logical.
My understanding is that the people of Egypt voted for a Muslim representation. They got just that (for better or worse). Until el-Sisi, with his military power, decided it didn't suit his own views.
My understanding is that the people of Egypt voted for a Muslim representation. They got just that (for better or worse). Until el-Sisi, with his military power, decided it didn't suit his own views.
What are the religious leanings of statup founders and workers? More liberal? Much more liberal?
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Most Egyptians I know have given up on Egyptian society and politics following the Sisi led coup and now see their future either outside of Egypt or within the 'internet culture'.
In many ways, Sisi indicates to the youth that the democratic system doesn't work in Egypt and that the only way to survive is to leave.
Disrupting society online carries it's own risks under the military government (i.e. disappearing.)
What are your thoughts?