The Plug and Play Cairo Program has opened applications for its seventh cohort, marking a new phase that is expected to strengthen Egypt’s startup ecosystem. Backed by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency and the National Bank of Egypt, the program is now placing a stronger focus on AI-enabled innovation as part of Plug and Play’s global AI Centers of Excellence.
Over the past three years, the program has played a key role in supporting startups in Cairo. A total of 159 startups have gone through the program, collectively raising over $100 million in funding. Beyond funding, these startups have also secured pilot projects, formed strategic partnerships and successfully entered new markets. This track record shows the program’s growing influence in shaping Egypt’s innovation landscape.
The Cairo Program is a fee-free and equity-free accelerator, making it accessible to a wide range of entrepreneurs. Designed for early to growth-stage startups based in Cairo, it offers a three-month structured experience aimed at helping founders refine their ideas and scale their businesses. The program is hosted at the Creativa Innovation Hub at Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace, which operates under Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Strengthening Cairo’s Position as an Innovation Hub
The return of the program with a stronger AI focus is expected to bring new opportunities for startups working on emerging technologies. By aligning with global AI initiatives, the program is positioning Cairo as a competitive hub for innovation-driven entrepreneurship in the Middle East and Africa.
Through its structure, the program connects startups with corporates, investors and public sector stakeholders. This approach allows founders to test their solutions in real market conditions while building partnerships that can support long-term growth. Startups also benefit from mentorship provided by industry experts in areas such as financial management, product development and company culture.
The program is designed to support startups at different stages. The MVP Track focuses on early-stage startups that already have a minimum viable product and are working toward product-market fit. These startups are expected to have early validation and committed founders, even if they have not yet raised funding.
For more advanced startups, the Revenue Generating Track supports businesses that already have a product in the market and are generating revenue or showing strong traction. The goal is to help these companies scale their operations and strengthen their position in the market.
Practical Support to Accelerate Startup Growth
One of the key strengths of the Plug and Play Cairo Program is the range of practical support it offers. Startups take part in workshops that cover important business areas such as financial planning, product development, commercialization and governance. These sessions are designed to help founders address real challenges as they grow their businesses.
The program also creates direct pathways to investment. Startups are connected with regional and international venture capital firms, increasing their chances of securing funding to expand their operations and bring new products to market. In addition, founders have opportunities to engage with corporate partners, which can lead to pilot projects and long-term business relationships.
Participants also gain access to office space at the Creativa Innovation Hub, providing a professional environment that supports collaboration and productivity. Alongside this, startups receive IT perks from global service providers such as AWS and HubSpot, helping them reduce operational costs and access essential tools.
Applications for Cohort 7 opened on April 9 and will close on May 3. Selected startups will be announced later in May, with the program set to begin shortly after and run until September 2026.
