The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), under the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), has announced the induction of a fresh batch of tech startups in the 47th round of its flagship incubation program, Start IT. This initiative is part of ITIDA’s ongoing mission to empower youth, drive innovation, and accelerate early-stage technology venture growth throughout Egypt.
Fostering a Thriving Startup Ecosystem
Start IT focuses on supporting aspiring entrepreneurs with ICT-driven ideas and prototypes, helping them build scalable and investment-ready startups. The recent cohort reflects ITIDA’s commitment to nurturing a sustainable entrepreneurial community in Egypt.
The program kickoff included a networking session, facilitating interaction between new participants and alumni, fostering peer learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.
Innovative Solutions Addressing Real Challenges
Eight startups showcased a variety of technology-driven solutions targeting sectors such as healthcare, education, sports, logistics, and e-commerce:
- Cluster: A health-tech platform streamlining pharmaceutical supply chains.
- Mystery Bag: Digital solution reducing food waste via smart redistribution.
- Converse2Note: AI-powered tool transforming doctor-patient consultations into structured medical reports.
- Coccarohome: Connecting women artisans with consumers for authentic handmade home décor.
- Sportyano: Platform for sports talent discovery and academy management.
- LRNOVA: AI-based educational content creation tools.
- TANKER: Digital fuel consumption monitoring for logistics fleets.
- eDariba: Simplified digital tax compliance for SMEs and freelancers.
Start IT Perks Platform Launch
A key highlight was the launch of Start IT Perks, a new platform providing incubated startups with discounted access to premium digital services via partnerships with local enablers such as Talents Arena, Sprints, The WhiteGuard, and more. This initiative aims to reduce operational costs and boost startup scaling capabilities.
Expanded Support & Cloud Credits
To further strengthen startup growth, ITIDA announced an expanded support package increasing total resources per startup to EGP 480,000 (from EGP 180,000), including grants and in-kind services. Cloud credit support via Amazon Web Services (AWS) has doubled to $10,000 per startup, enabling access to advanced cloud infrastructure.
Talent & AI Enablement
Recognizing the importance of human capital, Start IT now offers dedicated hiring support in partnership with recruitment specialists, easing founders’ access to top tech talent. Specialized AI enablement programs provide targeted training and expert advisory sessions to empower startups working on digital and AI innovations.
Global Fatwa Index (GFI) Releases Landmark Study on AI and Fatwa Work Ahead of 10th International Fatwa Conference
In line with its mission to monitor global fatwa trends and guide religious discourse in the digital era, Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta’s Global Fatwa Index (GFI) has published a pivotal study titled “Ethical Frameworks for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Supporting Fatwa Work.”
This study analyzes contemporary fatwas related to AI across the Arab and Islamic worlds and showcases practical applications of AI in religious contexts, especially fatwa issuance.
The report will be presented at the GFI Workshop held alongside the 10th International Fatwa Conference in Egypt on August 12-13, under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The event will gather leading scholars and experts in fatwa studies, AI, and humanities, fostering deep intellectual exchange.
Key Objectives of the Study Include:
- Examining the nature and content of fatwas addressing modern technologies like AI.
- Identifying petitioners’ concerns about AI tools.
- Assessing institutional responses to these issues.
- Exploring international collaboration among fatwa bodies adapting to technological changes.
Ethical Framework & Recommendations:
The study culminates in a comprehensive ethical framework offering recommendations to decision-makers and specialists. It stresses:
- Maximizing AI benefits while protecting Islamic jurisprudence principles.
- Enhancing mufti expertise to navigate technological shifts.
- Mitigating harms linked to AI tools.
- Emphasizing collective scholarly reasoning (ijtihad) in the digital age.
