oscar
5TH EDITION OF EGYPT'S ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS
The nomination can be submitted by the nominee him/herself or by anyone associated with the nominee who can speak generously on behalf of that nominee’s entrepreneurial achievements.
The application is now open until

08 Oct 2025

TIMELINE

9th September

Application Form Opens

8th October

Application Form Closes

Mid October

Shortlisted Finalists Announced

29th October

Shortlisted Finalists Celebration

21st November

EEA 5th Edition Awards Ceremony

6th December

Winners Meetup

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligible candidates:

Disclaimer: Failure to meet the eligibility criteria or provide complete supporting documentation will result in automatic disqualification.

  • At least one founder must be an Egyptian national.
  • The venture must be legally registered and operating in Egypt.
  • Applicants must be officially registered and operational for a minimum of 2 years and less than 10 years.
  • Previous finalists and applicants may reapply.
  • Former award winners may only reapply with a new company.
  • All required documentation must be submitted to support the application.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Product Innovation & Market Fit

Innovation and market fit are central to startup success. The jury will assess differentiation, real-world problem solving, and how effectively the product or service addresses market demand, including the use of technology, design, or a novel approach.

Business Model

Resilient, agile business models are vital in Egypt’s dynamic economy. The jury will assess revenue models, scalability, unit economics, and the ability to sustain operations amid inflation, currency shifts, shifting consumer behavior, and broader global economic challenges.

Financial Health & Growth

Strong financial fundamentals signal long-term viability. The jury will consider consistent revenue growth, profitability potential, cash flow management, and realistic financial projections that withstand market pressures.

Category/Sector Specific Criteria

Each industry presents unique challenges, benchmarks, and success drivers. Jury will assess how well the startup navigates sector-specific dynamics, regulatory landscapes, and competitive pressures, while demonstrating innovation and leadership within its field.

Founding Team & Talent

Leadership and team strength remain key predictors of a business’s longevity. The jury will evaluate team composition, leadership capabilities, diversity, along with how well the team is positioned to execute the vision.

Impact & Sustainability

Beyond financial success, long-term relevance depends on positive impact and sustainable practices. The Jury will evaluate contributions to society, environment, and economic development, alongside the integration of ESG principles and alignment with global sustainability standards.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Your information is safe.

All submitted material will remain confidential and will only be seen by the EEA team and our jury. All deliberation discussions and outcomes will not be disclosed to anyone outside of the jury panel and the relevant EEA team members. Applicants profiles may be used in pre- and post- event promotional material to showcase their stories, successes, and best practices. Permission will be sought from the relevant applicants before publishing any of theirr application material.


CATEGORIES AND DESCRIPTION

Please apply for the category that is most relevant to you and the business you own.

AI Excellence & Deeptech Award

Honoring ventures at the frontier of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. Eligible companies demonstrate innovations in AI, machine learning, data science, robotics, cybersecurity solutions, blockchain applications, or deep tech as solutions at the core of their business.

Creative Storytelling Award

Awarded to ventures that harness the power of storytelling to inspire, engage, and create lasting impact. Whether through film, writing, podcasts, digital media, printable media, or branded content, nominees must demonstrate originality, emotional resonance, and narrative excellence. This category celebrates those who are shaping culture, shifting perspectives, and building meaningful connections through compelling stories, regardless of platform or medium..

Cultural Innovation Award

Celebrating ventures that reimagine, protect, and revive Egypt’s culture, bringing its legacy to life in innovative and impactful ways. This includes transformational work in art, music, crafts, film, industry, heritage preservation, and cultural tourism, among others, in forms not limited to technologies, events, platforms, digital content, shows, or exhibitions.

Disruptive Duo for Market Innovations Award

Celebrates two enterprises that collaborated to develop and implement a product or service, through creating a business model that has positively and significantly impacted their industry. The award acknowledges the pioneering innovations emerging from strategic alliances between startup innovators and corporate leaders. Eligible applicants must include one individual from a startup company and one from a large corporation..

Fashion Vanguard Award

Recognizing trailblazers in fashion who balance creativity with commerce. Open to clothing, footwear, or accessory ventures driving innovative design and seamless integration into a brand story.

Fintech Forward Award

This award celebrates groundbreaking financial technology ventures that are redefining how people manage, move, save, or invest their money. Eligible applicants include ventures in digital banking, payments, lending, insurtech, regtech, proptech, and financial literacy, among others..

Green Innovation Award

Awarded to entrepreneurs leading Egypt’s green transition through eco-conscious innovation. This includes clean energy, circular economy innovations, water solutions, sustainable agriculture, agritech, and climate tech.

Innovation in Education Award

This award recognizes innovation in the educational sector, whether digital or non-digital, that enhances access, quality, job readiness, and learning outcomes. Open to ventures serving K-12, higher education, professional training, or alternative learning pathways..

Interior Design Award

This award celebrates ventures and designers redefining interior spaces through creativity, functionality, and innovation. It recognizes projects that strike the perfect balance between aesthetic excellence and purposeful design, whether in residential, commercial, or hospitality settings. This category honors those who transform interiors into environments that inspire, engage, and elevate.

Local Hero Award

Recognizing the resilience and dedication of businesses rooted in local markets, those that demonstrate exceptional commitment to quality, innovation, and community engagement while rising to international standards. This includes suppliers, artisans, and family-owned enterprises that not only strengthen local supply chains but also compete globally, substitute imports, and contribute to export growth, transforming local products into world-class brands..

People of Tomorrow Youth Award

Recognizing young entrepreneurs making significant waves early in their journey. Open to founders or co-founders aged between 18 and 25, of established ventures that demonstrate initiative, leadership, originality, and potential.

Rising Star Award

Celebrating exceptional ventures and entrepreneurs that have been in the business world for less than two years, the Rising Star Award honors those demonstrating remarkable promise, bold innovation, and early market traction. This category is dedicated to early-stage startups, groundbreaking initiatives, and transformative solutions that are already showing signs of lasting impact..

Smart Solutions in Logistics Award

Celebrating ventures transforming how goods and people move. This category recognizes innovation in intelligent logistics, supply chain technology, warehousing solutions, fleet and route optimization, last-mile delivery, and mobility platforms such as ride-hailing or freight services. Nominees should demonstrate how their solutions leverage technology or data to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and reshape the future of transportation and logistics, whether by land, air, or marine.

Social Dining Award

This award celebrates third spaces that seamlessly integrate food and beverages to craft memorable experiences for their communities and loyal customer base. Eligible ventures combine coffee excellence with quality bites and foster a unique casual atmosphere where ambiance, design, and community engagement come together to create an elevated everyday experience..

Sports Innovation & Wellness Award

Celebrating ventures transforming the world of sports, fitness, and well-being. This award honors businesses introducing innovative solutions across sports technology, athletic performance, wellness platforms, fan engagement, health and recovery tools, and expanding access to fitness and grassroots sports, among others.

Previous
Next
Error: Please fill in all mandatory fields and upload the required files to proceed