Mohamed AlGhannam is a Venture Capitalist, Business Model Innovation Advisor and Founder of Ncubeight, a strategy and innovation advisory firm specializing in business model innovation and strategic growth. With experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship and startup advisory, he brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing early-stage ventures. Mohamed works closely with founders to design, validate and innovate business models, refine growth and fundraising strategies and strengthen competitive positioning. Through his work at Ncubeight, he has advised startups, accelerators, and innovation programs across multiple countries, helping ventures build scalable business models, unlock competitive advantage, and accelerate long-term growth.

I'm Saif Aglan a highly skilled 3D Generalist, CGI Artist, and dedicated 3D instructor with a proven track record in digital art, animation, and video game development. Combining technical expertise with creative vision, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the 3D design community, both as an innovative creator and a passionate educator. Industry Collaborations: Former partner of MSI, with a proven track record of successful collaborations alongside major brands including Riot Games, Cooler Master, Red Bull, WE Telecom, Egypt Foods, V7, and Crossfire. Specialized Training: Alumni of prestigious visual effects institutions, Rebelway and Gnomon, applying advanced, industry-standard techniques to produce top-tier CGI for commercials, films, and video game development.

Medhat Yassin is a distinguished strategic business transformation consultant, serial entrepreneur, and business mentor with over 30 years of experience across diverse commercial domains, including marketing, brand development, business development, and sales. He has advised and collaborated with more than 450 local and international brands, delivering measurable growth, strategic expansion, and successful market positioning.

**Mohammed Fathy is a Cybersecurity Leader, Offensive Security Expert, and AI Security Researcher with more than 10 years of experience in penetration testing, red teaming, application security, and threat intelligence.** He currently serves as **Head of Cybersecurity at Robusta Technology Group (RTG)**, where he leads offensive security operations, manages red team engagements, drives security research, and builds security capabilities across enterprise environments. His expertise spans adversary emulation, web and mobile application security, cloud security, DevSecOps, vulnerability research, and AI/LLM security. Throughout his career, Mohammed has worked with fintech, payment platforms, software companies, and enterprise organizations, leading security assessments, penetration testing programs, secure development initiatives, and security transformation efforts. He previously held security leadership roles at organizations including PaySky, PetroApp, SEKEM Group, and other technology companies, where he managed application security, infrastructure security, vulnerability management, and incident response activities. Mohammed is recognized for his contributions to the cybersecurity community through responsible vulnerability disclosures affecting major technology companies including **Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, Adobe, eBay, Mozilla, Nokia, and Red Hat**, earning multiple Hall of Fame acknowledgments and security recognition awards. He holds multiple professional certifications including **Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), eLearnSecurity Web Application Penetration Tester eXtreme (eWPTX), Certified Red Team Professional (CRTP), Certified AppSec Practitioner (CAP), and Certified Agentic AI Pentester (C-AgAIPen).** Beyond professional security work, Mohammed is an active cybersecurity educator, speaker, and researcher, sharing knowledge about offensive security, AI security, and emerging cyber threats with the security community. His mission is to help organizations stay ahead of evolving threats by combining offensive security methodologies, modern AI technologies, and practical defensive strategies.

Head of Product at Robusta Studio, where I lead product strategy and delivery across digital transformation projects and help build the capabilities of the product managers on my team. My work sits at the intersection of three things: shaping product direction that connects business goals to real user needs, running delivery in a way that actually ships, and growing people. I care as much about the systems and fundamentals behind a product — architecture, scalability, UX principles — as I do about the roadmap, because that's what separates a product that works from one that just launches.

Mohamed Negm is a cybersecurity executive with over 20 years of experience spanning the financial services, telecommunications, oil and gas, education and technology industries. He currently serves as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at valU, Egypt's leading non-banking financial institution, and previously held senior executive roles at Orange and MDP digital payments. Throughout his career, Mohamed has built deep expertise in cyber risk management, regulatory compliance, and enterprise security governance, working across environments regulated by international standards such as ISO 27001, ISO 27701, SOC 2 Type II, and PCI. He has a strong track record of building and maturing security capabilities that strengthen organizational security posture in the face of an increasingly complex and evolving threat landscape. He is recognized for his ability to translate complex security and regulatory requirements into practical, business-aligned strategies across diverse industry contexts.

Gillan is the Chief Commercial Officer of Paymob, the leading payments infrastructure company powering digital transactions for merchants across the Middle East & North Africa. With deep experience in SME acquisition marketing and commercial strategy, Gillan has been shaping Paymob's commercial growth for over eight years. She leads strategic partnerships and commercial performance, building the structures that power merchant growth and scaling the company's network from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of merchants. Before Paymob, she held marketing and project management roles at Vodafone, TedxCairo, and more.

Mohamed Fawzy Waly is an experienced Digital Delivery Manager and Building Information Modeling (BIM) expert with over a decade of experience driving digital adoption across the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Currently serving as the R&D Digital Delivery Manager at Hassan Allam Holding, Mohamed focuses on implementing advanced BIM workflows, ISO 19650 information management standards, and digital strategy frameworks for large construction projects across the Middle East, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Active in the region's digital construction community, Mohamed is a member of the committee developing the Egyptian BIM Code and co-hosts Ground Truth, an Arabic podcast focused on practical discussions about digital delivery and construction technology. He is an ISO 19650 certified professional and an Autodesk Gold Certified Instructor who regularly trains and mentors engineers across the region. Mohamed is a regular speaker at regional industry conferences, such as the Big 5 Talks and the Egypt Digital Twin Conference. He was also shortlisted for Engineer of the Year by Construction Week Middle East.

I am a Partner - Head of Project & Development Services, Egypt & Africa, leading Knight Frank P&DS business in Egypt and more broadly across Africa, focusing on enhancing delivery capabilities, supporting key client mandates and building strong, locally based teams. I am a professional industry expert with over 24 years of experience across Egypt, the UAE and international markets. My expertise spans project and development management, fit-out and cost consultancy, architecture and design management, and construction delivery. I have delivered more than 350 projects for international occupiers and developers, with significant experience across hospitality, commercial and corporate real estate. I hold a degree in Architectural and Planning Engineering and I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). I have previously held senior positions with organizations including JLL, TMG, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Kann Finch Group and Mazaraki FBK, delivering projects across Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Morocco, KSA, Iraq and the UK.

Ahmed ElSherbini is a Project Management leader with over 19 years of experience delivering major real estate, hospitality and corporate projects across Egypt, He is currently the Head of Building and Projects Consultancy at Savills Egypt, leading a team of 45 professional and managing a portfolio of projects exceeding 5 billion EGP. annually Previously, Ahmed held a senior role, where he managed high-profile fit-out and renovation projects for global clients such as Sheraton, Hilton and Mars, His earlier experience with Mountain View and Etisalat strengthened his expertise in construction management, design management and multi-stakeholders' coordination. Ahmed holds a bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering and multiple professional certificates including PMP and PRMG, known for his leadership, technical depth and commitment to excellence, he consistently delivers a complex projects on time, on budget and up to the highest standards.

Co-founder & Vice President of United group for Engineering & Investment ( UGEI ) which is an Egyptian group working in different construction sectors & Global trading with 25 years of experience in the construction, fit out & facility management industry with both governmental and multinational firms. His role includes also establishing good corporate governance practices and procedures also promotes the highest standards of integrity, probity, and corporate governance throughout the Group and particularly at Board level.

Nader is a management consultant, specializing in the training and consulting sector. Nader has more than 10 years of experience serving corporates in different areas related to training solutions, consultative facilitation, soft skills enhancement and team building exercises. Since October 2017, Nader has been responsible for setting the aspire corporate business unit strategy, sales strategy and development of the corporate team capabilities. Nader ‘s team served over 150+ local and multi- national firms that work in different industries and sectors such as; pharma, banking, telecom, IT, FMCGs and others. Nader has led several other roles inside the organization; HR, sales, marketing, operations, training and different business units’ leadership. In addition to that, Nader has led several international partnerships and alliances. Prior to joining Aspire, Nader worked for 360 Junkers factory for 2 years, where he worked as product line engineer for 3 different products, Hisense , York and GE ACs, Hisense refrigerators, and over water laid bridges. He was in charge of production line, quality, speed and efficiency as well as the skills enhancement process of the blue collars through a joint training program with the Chinese counter engineers. Nader graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University in 2009. He completed the "MBA” from Maastricht School of Management in 2020 and in 2016 he completed his certification on both Emergenetics Profiling and ESP” Emergenetics Selection Program”. He also took many specialized training programs in the area of Training of Trainers, customer services and strategic planning from the Wharton School of Pennsylvania, and Competitive Strategy-Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU).

Dr. Amr Alashkar is a senior digital transformation and information technology leader with over 25 years of experience driving measurable business impact through technology. He is recognized for aligning IT strategy with organizational objectives, delivering scalable, secure, and compliant digital ecosystems. His expertise spans healthcare transformation, data governance, cybersecurity, AI, and automation. As CIO of Cleopatra Hospitals Group, he led enterprise-wide digital initiatives that enhanced patient experience, operational efficiency, and clinical quality, while achieving prestigious local and international accreditations. Dr. Alashkar is a respected thought leader, frequent conference speaker, and contributor to national and regional digital health transformation agendas.

Moataz El-Toukhy is a purpose-driven commercial leader with almost 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, spanning both B2C and B2B sectors. Recognized as one of the Global 200 Power Leaders in Marketing & Communications in 2023, he brings a strong track record of delivering market growth, innovation, and customer excellence. He currently serves as the B2B Commercial Director at e& Egypt, where he leads revenue management, propositions, account management, digital channels, customer experience, go-to-market strategy, and brand development. Prior to this, Moataz held several strategic roles that consistently delivered impactful business outcomes. He holds an Executive MBA from INSEAD and a Bachelor's in Business Administration (Finance) with a minor in Economics from The American University in Cairo.

Nayra Elberry is the Head of Partnerships and Community at WRK+. WRK+ is the master brand formed as two powerhouses, The GrEEK Campus and MQR merged. It revolves around centralizing shared values and cultivating a community that transcends mere workspaces. During her study years, Nayra got acquainted with entrepreneurship and has ever since developed a vast interest in Entrepreneurship. Since 2013 she took part in the eco-system by leading different entrepreneurial incubation and acceleration programs and heading the partnerships department at different startups. Nayra’s passion for startups and entrepreneurship was recognized throughout her previous work at INJAZ Egypt, ElRehla, GoodsMart, Capiter and Acasia Group. Nayra holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Ain-Shams University and a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business.

Ahmad Hammouda, Thndr Co founder and CEO Ahmad Hammouda is the co-founder and CEO of Thndr—Egypt's largest investment platform and first licensed player since 2008. Hammouda strongly believes in equal access to financial products & opportunities, and together with the team at Thndr they are on a mission to democratize investing in MENA. Being supported by leading global investors such as Tiger Global, BECO Capital and Prosus Ventures with Base Capital and existing investors Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Raba Partnerships and JIMCO, is a significant endorsement of the platform strategy and proof of the existence of a large market opportunity in the region. Prior to founding Thndr, Hammouda used to be the General Manager of Uber in Egypt. Motivated to utilize technology to create economic opportunities for thousands of Egyptians who were previously unemployed—Under Hammouda’s reign, Uber Egypt’s bookings grew by 65% YoY, making Cairo the biggest market in Europe, Middle East and Africa in terms of trips. Before Uber, Hammouda was Vice President at CI Capital Investment Banking. Hammouda is a CFA member, and has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The American University in Cairo.

Nada Shaheen is the Managing Director of GB Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of GB Corp, one of the leading industrial groups in the Middle East and Africa. As the first Egyptian woman to lead a corporate venture capital fund in Africa, she plays a pioneering role in bridging corporate innovation with high-growth startup ecosystems across emerging markets. With over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, venture capital, and innovation, Nada has worked with institutions including the Central Bank of Egypt and the European Union, and now leads strategic investments across fintech, mobility, logistics, and industrial technologies. A serial entrepreneur, she brings an operational lens to investing and actively mentors early-stage founders across Egypt and Sub-Saharan Africa. Nada is a member of Global Women in VC and a frequent speaker at leading international technology and investment forums across Africa and the Middle East.

Ayman Ismail is an international expert in entrepreneurship and economic development. He is the Abdul Latif Jameel Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship at AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business and the founding director of AUC Venture Lab, the top startup accelerator in the Middle East and Africa. He is also the founder of AUC Innovation Hub, a platform to connect industry and academia around innovation and R&D. He is the Chairman of the Board of Egypt Ventures (VC), PayMob (digital payments), a board member in onebank (Egypt’s first digital bank) and a co-founder, angel investor or board member in several fast-growing fintech startups. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Business of Economic Growth. Previously, Ayman was a research fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, a consultant at McKinsey & Company’s New York office and the World Bank, a co-founder and managing partner at Enovio Consulting, and a Young Global Leader (YGL) at the World Economic Forum (WEF). He received his PhD in International Economic Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He has other degrees in engineering, business, city planning and information technology from the American University in Cairo (AUC) and MIT.

Co-founder of Hiryo, a global award-winning family safety ecosystem and #1 Safety Tech company in Egypt, offering Hiryo Safety App, Fly Personal Alarm, and Salamty Self-Defense Workshops.

Emma Greiche is a Senior Learning Designer and Innovation Manager at Aspire Community Transformation with over nine years of experience designing learning experiences for youth, adults, facilitators, NGOs, and corporate teams. She has designed programs across leadership and life skills, community development, sustainable development, safeguarding, gender-based violence prevention, capacity building, and inclusive learning design. Alongside her professional practice, Emma is currently pursuing a Master's in Education and Social Justice, continually deepening the connection between research and practice in the learning experiences she designs. Specializing in non-formal education and experiential learning, Emma designs learner-centered experiences that combine learning theory with the tools of non-formal education, including games, storytelling, activities, sports, and interactive facilitation, to create engaging learning experiences that inspire reflection, skill development, and meaningful action. She has developed curricula and training materials for organizations including UNICEF, UNFPA, Plan International, Save the Children, and local and international NGOs. Emma's approach is also shaped by her experience as a Scout Leader, published children's book author, and illustrator, where leadership development, storytelling, creativity, and character building continue to influence how she designs meaningful learning experiences.

Mohamed Shaheen is a technology entrepreneur and AI transformation leader with more than 20 years of experience across artificial intelligence, SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, telecommunications, and customer engagement technologies. He is the Founder and CEO of Appgain.io, where he has led the development of marketing automation and customer engagement solutions serving more than 1,200 businesses across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. He is also the creator of ConnectGain, an AI-powered platform that helps companies automate sales, marketing, customer service, and omnichannel communications using AI agents, conversational commerce, CRM automation, and voice intelligence. Previously, Mohamed worked with Gemalto, now part of Thales, and founded iKhair, a UAE fintech platform that facilitated more than AED 42 million in charitable donations. His work focuses on turning AI from isolated features into practical, AI-first business models that improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and revenue growth. Mohamed was selected for the Obama Foundation’s African Leaders program and regularly shares his experience in AI adoption, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and building scalable technology businesses across the MENA region.

Nemat is the AI&Data practice lead at Deloitte Innovation Hub in Cairo, with a focus on building scalable AI solutions. With over 20 years of experience spanning Data, Cloud, Operations, Architecture, and Integration, she is passionate about leveraging data to drive sustainable organizational transformation. Nemat has played a key role in building and scaling Deloitte Innovation Hub’s AI&Data practice, establishing capabilities and expanding service offerings to meet evolving client needs. She combines strong leadership in managing diverse, multi-geography teams with a keen interest in AI governance and strategy to ensure ethical and effective AI adoption.

My Name Is Ahmed Ali , CURRENTLY I’m holding a position senior data Analyst @ henkel , instructor @ Eslsca University, Ex:Workforce Manager At Genpact - Snapchat & Ex: lead at Halan, serve as a Tech Leader @ eraa soft. Furthermore, I hold the position of Senior Data Analyst at Coach Sama Fit, a company specializing in online coaching services. Also I’m the Senior data analysis At Fame Saudian brand With a solid background spanning Seven years in the data Analysis - Science industry, i have train I have had the privilege of contributing to various projects about 50 freelance project and witnessing the transformative power of data science in improving performance and decision-making.

I am an instructional designer and trainer with over 5 years of experience specializing in developing interactive training materials and game-based learning solutions. My passion is creating engaging and impactful learning experiences that captivate learners and enhance knowledge retention. By combining creativity with instructional best practices, I design innovative solutions that meet organizational objectives while keeping the learner at the center.

Emam Awad is the Head of the Career Centre at The British University in Egypt (BUE), leading the university's employability strategy, employer engagement, and career development initiatives. He has built strategic partnerships with leading employers and professional bodies, expanded opportunities for students and graduates, and driven significant growth in career services engagement through innovative, data-driven initiatives. Passionate about bridging the gap between academia and industry, Emam works with employers, university leaders, and HR executives to prepare graduates for the future of work through technology, strategic partnerships, and skills-first learning.

Mohamed is currently a General Partner on the DPI Venture Capital, MEA focused early and late stage VC fund. Prior to DPI, Mohamed led investments at Global Ventures, a Dubai-based VC fund investing across the MEA region. His domain expertise includes FinTech, HealthTech, Insurtech, SaaS, Mobility, and e-commerce. Prior to his MEA focus, Mohamed worked for Allianz X, a Munich-based €1 billion digital investment fund of Allianz SE. He sourced, executed, and closed investment deals in Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia. Mohamed began his venture capital career at Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners, a Hamburg-based €400 million fund that primarily invests in B2B SaaS solutions in the US and Europe. Before shifting to venture capital, Mohamed gained operational experience working for multiple early and late stage startups in Germany, such as Solarisbank AG and Medigo GmbH. Mohamed holds an MSc in Business Administration and Engineering from Berlin University of Applied Sciences, focusing on Corporate Strategy and Venture Capital. He also has a BSc in Engineering Mechatronics from the German University in Cairo.

Hossam Shafick is a Partner at Silicon Badia, a global venture firm investing across the US and MENA with a mission to connect the East and the West. Before VC, Hossam was an investment banker, executing over $1Bn in M&A. Ranked the #1 LinkedIn Voice in Africa for Venture Capital, Hossam has an obsession for people and numbers. He believes the worst decisions in venture happen when one overpowers the other — and that the industry still suffers from a lack of strong, accessible VC analysis. That’s why he launched #WTFtv (What They Failed to Teach in Venture), a weekly newsletter breaking down VC’s black boxes and making venture analysis sharper, clearer, and more actionable.

Dr. Khaled Elgeneidy is an Assistant Professor in Robotics leading the Innovation Hub at The Knowledge Hub Universities (TKH). He holds a PhD in Robotics from Loughborough University, UK, and is recognised as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), bringing over a decade of academic experience from British universities in both the UK and Egypt. His research focuses on developing intelligent robotics systems to address grasping and manipulation challenges in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Dr. Elgeneidy has led and collaborated on several funded research projects with academic and industrial partners at national and international levels, resulting in over 20 peer-reviewed publications, 900+ citations, and a US patent for a mushroom picking device. Translating research into commercial impact, he co-founded Agaricus Robotics Ltd in the UK, a spin-off company commercialising an autonomous harvesting system following successfully funded research projects from Innovate UK and Ceres Agri-Tech.

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. Managing Director at NI Capital, Founder of Cubit Ventures and SNF.vc

Radwa Younes is the Manager of Entrepreneurship Activities at the Universities of Canada in Egypt, where she leads programs that spark innovation, incubation, and acceleration for student and early-stage entrepreneurs. With 14+ years of experience in investment, project development, and business consulting, she has supported over 150 startups and launched multiple incubation and acceleration initiatives. A Chevening Scholar with a master’s in International Business and Development from the UK, Radwa is passionate about continuous learning, creative problem-solving, and building sustainable ecosystems that connect Egypt’s entrepreneurs to regional and global opportunities.

Radwan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, with a minor in Computer Science, from the American University in Cairo 1997. He has an extensive professional expertise in the fields of asset management, investment, and risk management. He started his career at EFG Hermes Holding, advancing to leading positions within the groups, eventually serving as the Managing Director of the Egyptian Fund Management group on 2002. His last title was Chief Executive Officer of Wealth Management at Beltone Holding since June 2025. He also held the role of Group Chief Risk Officer at CI Capital Holding from October 2022 to March 2024. He also held leadership positions in the investment subsidiaries of Banque Misr from 2018 to 2024, contributing to the development of asset management and investment activities through the launch of digital initiatives and the expansion of investment funds distribution channels. His career also includes experience at several large financial institutions including HC Securities & Investment, Arab Finance, Arab Bank (in the U.A.E), reflecting a broad background in regional capital markets. On the academic level, Radwan is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and a Financial Risk Manager (FRM), along with postgraduate diploma in digital transformation from ESLSCA Business School in France.

Mohamed Magdi is a seasoned venture capital professional and Vice President at Beltone VC, where he focuses on identifying and investing in high-growth startups across the MENA region. With a strong background in finance and entrepreneurship, he helps companies scale and thrive. Prior to Beltone VC, Mohamed was Vice President of Finance at Mtor, a B2B digital platform for automotive spare parts in Egypt. He also served as a Vice President at Beltone Research, overseeing MENA market coverage. Mohamed is a CFA level 2 candidate and served as an active mentor with the CFA Society, helping young professionals gain real-world experience and advance their finance careers

A serial entrepreneur, investor, and startup mentor with over 15 years of experience building and scaling businesses. Currently the CEO of ICCY, an AI-powered platform for experts and coaches, and formerly served as CEO of Sabika, where he helped scale the company to over 110,000 users and a $15 million valuation. Built six startups, raised investment from regional and international investors, and successfully exited Elmawkaa through an acquisition in Saudi Arabia. Also mentored more than 100 startups and taught over 50,000 entrepreneurs.

Sherry is an Egyptian-Canadian Interior Designer, Design Director at GG&Grace International, and Founder of Designability, a consultancy dedicated to accessible and inclusive design. With over 20 years of international experience, she leads hospitality and mixed-use projects that combine design excellence with innovative technologies to create memorable, future-ready guest experiences. A Certified Age-in-Place Specialist and accessibility expert, Sherry is passionate about designing human-centered environments that enhance wellbeing, inclusivity, and operational efficiency. She advocates for integrating innovation, AI-driven design processes, sustainability, and universal design principles to help shape the next generation of hospitality destinations, aligning with Egypt’s vision of becoming a leading global tourism destination.

Current Position As A Chairman: • April 2022 – Present o Credit Agricole Bank - Egypt  (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board) • April 2019 – Present o SODIC (Sixth of October Development and Investment Company)  Vice Chairman (continuing) - April 2019 – Present  (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board) - April 2019 – January 2022 • January 2016 – Present o Abu Soma Touristic Development Company  (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board) • January 2015 – Present o Ayady Investment and Development  (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board)  And its affiliated companies:  Ayady for Urban Development  Papyrus Company  Ergo Company • December 2014 – December 2017 And from 2020 - Present o Egyptian Investment Company  (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board) As A Board Member: • March 2024 – Present o Cairo International Stadium Authority  Board Member • 2017 – Present o NI Capital Bank  Board Member • 2015 – Present o National Investment Bank  Board Member Previous Experiences • November 2014 – March 2015 o Arab Investment Company  (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board) • August 2005 – September 2009 o Delta International Bank  (Board Member)  Roles include:  Member of the General Assembly of the Holding Company for Insurance.  Member of the Board of Trustees at the Institute of Finance at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology.  Member of the Board of Trustees at the Institute of Finance at Ahram Canadian University. • May 1981 – 1982 o Arthur Young, Mohamed Abdullah Zarouk & Co.  Progressed from Auditor to Audit Team Leader. Key responsibilities included auditing banks such as the National Bank of Egypt and American Express Bank. • October 1982 – March 1991 o National Bank of Abu Dhabi - Egypt  Progressed over nine years from an Operations Employee (1 year) to Credit Administration and eventually promoted to Credit and Marketing Manager. • April 1991 – July 2005 o American Express Bank Limited, Egypt  Chief Executive Officer – Egypt  Advanced from General Manager and Deputy Regional Manager for the Middle East, with responsibilities covering marketing, credit, and investment, to becoming the CEO of the bank in June 2002. Other Roles • 2008 – 2020 o Visiting Professor of Finance  American University in Cairo

Sherief Hassan is Marketing Director at Flat6Labs, the leading startup accelerator in the MENA region, where he leads communications, PR, and program marketing across initiatives that have helped back more than 10,000 founders. With over 15 years spanning FMCG, media agencies, and high-growth startups, he works closely with entrepreneurs to sharpen how they tell their stories and take them to market. Outside of work, he is one of the Middle East's leading watch content creators.

Loay El-Shawarby is the principal of the law firm El-Shawarby, Attorneys-at-Law; his expertise revolves around the practice areas of start-up structuring, governance, pre-growth, and growth venture finance; venture capital funds; law and technology; corporate, and mergers and acquisitions; joint venture agreements; international business transactions, and many others.
Loay is also an entrepreneur himself, as he pioneered Egypt’s first legal-tech startup “Contrato” and is also an angel investor, Investing solo, as a member of Cairo Angels, and as the co-founder of both Alex Angels and Mediterranean Angels. Among his active angel investments are Abu Erdan, Nebras Technology, Jinni, Untap Compete, Eventtus, Barek, Ordera, the Doodle Factory, and Voo, among others. Loay has also served as Chairman of the Board at the Nahdet El-Mahrousa social entrepreneurship organization, 2009 – 2016; President, Foreign Lawyers at Georgetown (FLAG), 2003 – 2004.

Hasan Fikry Founder & CEO at DABS EGYPT Hasan Fikry is an accomplished Architect and Interior Designer with over 20 years of experience creating innovative and aesthetically pleasing spaces. A licensed architect and a certified member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Hassan holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Cairo University in 2003, and a CPM Holder (Certified Project Manager) from the American University in Egypt. In 2008, driven by a passion to make a significant impact in the Design and build Industry of Egypt, Hasan founded his own practice, DABS EGYPT. His vision for DABS EGYPT was to leverage his extensive experience and unique design philosophy to create innovative and sustainable architectural solutions that resonate with the cultural and environmental context of Egypt. Under Hasan’s leadership, DABS EGYPT quickly became known for its commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. The firm has successfully completed numerous high-profile projects in Egypt and even internationally in different countries like Canada, Paris, Switzerland, which have been praised for their innovative use of space and sustainable design principles. Hasan’s career is distinguished by his ability to seamlessly blend architecture and interior design, crafting holistic environments that are both functional and beautiful. His portfolio spans residential, commercial, and hospitality projects, each reflecting his keen eye for detail and passion for sustainable design.

Adel Heikal is a growth and marketing professional with over 9 years of experience in driving digital growth across diverse sectors including FMCG, Fintech, Technology, and Pharmaceuticals. Currently, he holds the position of Performance & Measurment Marketing Manager for Unilever North Africa, Levent, and Iraq, where he oversees the digital media campaigns for the company's brands, including E-commerce and brand campaigns. Prior to this role, he worked for Sympl building the company's digital marketing department and capabilities.

Dalia Said is passionate about creating memorable learning experiences for diverse communities and exploring the potential of effective networking. She pursued this passion further by obtaining a Master's in Education from Harvard, focusing on group learning and adult development. Since 2005, Dalia has gained experience in curriculum development and event design through her work with organizations such as AIESEC, Namaa for Sustainable Development, ElMashrou3, and currently with JRNY (formerly ElRehla) (www.jrny.me), where she leading as CEO. JRNY works to build collaborative communities by hosting networking events and experiences outside of urban areas that bring together industry leaders, corporate teams, and founders for connective, reflective, and habit-changing experiences. JRNY is an impact-driven organization dedicated to accelerating community and network building across various industries & ecosystems. Since 2013, JRNY has delivered over 190 retreats to over 80 stakeholders.

Business developer with over 7 years of diverse industry experience, specializing in driving business growth and achieving ambitious goals. His expertise lies in B2B sales, partnerships, market development, and growth strategies. Currently, he's leading eyouth's commercial arm, where he actively contributes to its success. Fathi began his career in sales in 2016, starting as a first-line retailer and sales promoter. He then transitioned to the role of B2B sales manager in the telecommunications industry. After that, he moved into growth marketing management in consumer services before finally embarking on his journey in business development.

I am a researcher, consultant, and educator specializing in Islamic Finance, Zakat Accounting, and Shariah Audit. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Al-Azhar University and hold two master's degrees in Islamic Finance and Accounting, in addition to several internationally recognized professional certifications from the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI). Over the years, I have worked in education, financial consulting, entrepreneurship, and investment across multiple sectors before dedicating my career to Zakat Accounting and Shariah Audit. I am the host of the TV program Zakaty, creator of the Shariah Audit podcast, and author of Zakat for Individuals and Companies and the Contemporary Financial Transactions book series. My work focuses on Zakat accounting, Shariah governance, Islamic financial systems, and helping organizations build Shariah-compliant business models. I am particularly passionate about advancing Islamic fintech, strengthening internal Shariah audit practices, and developing practical solutions that bridge Islamic principles with modern business and finance.

Nehal Helmy is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Flend, Egypt's first licensed digital NBFI dedicated to SME finance. An economist by training, she brings over a decade of experience spanning entrepreneurship, financial sector development, public policy, and international finance. Before co-founding Flend, Nehal served as Economic Advisor to Egypt's Minister of Investment and International Cooperation, where she led Egypt's engagement with leading international financial institutions, including the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, EBRD, OECD, and AIIB. She played a central role in negotiating a US$4.5 billion budget support package, shaping investment and financial sector reforms, and advancing Egypt's sustainable development agenda. Earlier in her career at the World Bank Group, Nehal led financial sector development initiatives across the Middle East, focusing on expanding access to finance for MSMEs and affordable housing finance in Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen. Recognized as one of the region's leading female innovators, Nehal was selected for UNDP's Women Innovators Program and IFC's SheWins Arabia, which recognize high-potential technology entrepreneurs driving sustainable impact across the Arab world. She holds an MSc in Economics from the University of Barcelona and is passionate about building technology-driven financial solutions that unlock growth for underserved businesses.

Laila Helmy is the Egypt Director of Digital & IT Innovation at AstraZeneca. In her role, Laila orchestrates the Digital innovation agenda in Egypt, driving Digital Health innovations, business solutions and technologies and integrating it with the country’s strategy by fostering growth through innovation and partnering with all functions and therapy areas to drive impact. The Digital innovation function is instrumental in supporting patients, society, and the planet by deploying innovative solutions and fostering meaningful engagements with patients and healthcare professionals. Laila joined AstraZeneca in 2015 as an IT business partner and took on different Digital roles before heading the function in 2021 and becoming a member of the Egypt senior leadership team. With a focus on business analysis and driving digital transformation using Cloud technology, Laila has over 15 years of experience in business transformation through innovation fostering a culture that appreciates the transformative power of digital advancements in healthcare, academia and beyond.. Laila holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computers and Information Technology at Cairo University, year 2010 and holds multiple certifications including Digital marketing from Google and Udacity and certified OKR Coach

Dr. Maged Ghoneima is an angel investor, professor, and ecosystem builder. Through M Empire Angels, he has invested in more than 200 startups across over 30 countries. He is the Founder and General Partner of M Empire Angels, and Chairman of Startup Egypt, a community he founded to help entrepreneurs grow through access to networks, mentorship, programs, partnerships, and real ecosystem support. A scholar with a PhD from NorthwesternUniversity and industry experience at Intel and NVIDIA, Maged is also a Professor of Mechatronics at Ain Shams University. There, he founded the ASU Innovation Hub, creating a university-based platform to support students, researchers, and entrepreneurs in turning ideas, research, and technologies into real ventures and innovation-driven impact

Father of five, entrepreneur in the heart, scientist in the lab & BBQ master in every out trip. Dr. Omar Sakr is the founder and CEO of Nawah-Scientific, Middle East’s biggest private research center working as an outsourcing destination for research in the fields of natural and biomedical sciences. He is a pharmacist by education and holds a PhD in pharmaceutical technology from the University of Geneva, and an MBA from HULT business school in London. His career extends over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field, both in academia and industry. Dr. Sakr was also an adjunct Lecturer of entrepreneurship at Zewail City of Science and Technology. To his name, Omar holds several scientific and business awards among which is the prestigious Jack Ma award, Africa Business Heroes (2019).

Ex-Head of Al Ahly Marketing Team And now Head of business development and international Markets El Qalaa El Hamraa

Ahmed Mokhtar is an Innovation Consultant specializing in startup–corporate collaborations, product development, and commercialization through venture clienting. He manages the innovation department at SODIC, overseeing company-wide hackathons and partnerships with startups, accelerators, and VCs. He also consults independently, conducting innovation trainings and mentoring startups across EMEA.

Dr. Amany Eissa is VP of Artificial Intelligence at Keheilan Asset Management, where she leads AI strategy and conducts due diligence across the fund's deep-tech and capital-markets investments. She is also Co-Founder and Head of Business Development at the Egypt University of Informatics (EUI) in the New Administrative Capital, and an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Computing and Information Sciences. At EUI she founded the university's Centre of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and its Careers & Employability Center. She mentors founders and early-career talent across both. She holds several advisory positions and contributed to Egypt's National AI Strategy workgroup, bridging applied machine learning, venture investment, and higher education. She holds a PhD in Data Science and a Private Equity & Venture Capital Diploma from AUC, and works fluidly across the MENA region and Europe.

As the Technical Program Manager at DMZ Cairo, a university-based incubator, I design and lead entrepreneurship and innovation programs that help startups transform ideas into viable ventures. My work combines design, education, coaching, and venture development to create impactful learning experiences and support entrepreneurial growth. With over 12 years of experience in Product Design education, I have always been passionate about bridging the gap between academia and practice. This led me to pursue a Master's degree in Service Design in Berlin. I subsequently worked in learning and development and entrepreneurship support, designing programs that help founders validate ideas and build sustainable businesses. I am also an ICF-certified coach and Design Thinking facilitator, having delivered more than 4,000 hours of workshops and training programs across Egypt and the Gulf region.