Nile University’s IECC today celebrated the transformative power of women in entrepreneurship at the Her Mark Expo – بصمتهـا, organized by Beit ElKhyata with IECC backing. This landmark event gathered trailblazing women from across Egypt to exchange journeys, showcase innovations, and build supportive ecosystems, aligning with national efforts to boost female participation in the startup landscape—where women-led ventures contribute over 20% to Egypt’s emerging economy but face unique barriers like access to funding and mentorship.

Drawing on literary insight, Eng. Ahmed Saleh’s keynote speech opened the expo with a compelling metaphor from Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” where characters vanish after facing hidden fears on a remote island. In contrast, Saleh portrayed women entrepreneurs as resilient protagonists who confront and conquer their challenges, emerging stronger to leave indelible marks. He unpacked seven common entrepreneurial fears—failure, the unknown, rejection, inadequacy, poverty, losing control, and even success itself—emphasizing that true growth stems from understanding these emotions, learning from setbacks, and channeling them toward meaningful impact. “Every entrepreneurial journey begins with a dream, and often, a little bit of fear. But what happens when women choose to face those fears head-on and rise stronger?” Saleh reflected, inspiring over 200 attendees to view fear not as a barrier, but as a catalyst for innovation.

The momentum continued with the panel discussion, “The Power of Her Mark: Women Leading Change and Shaping the Future,” moderated by Ahmed El Karrany, UNDP Project Manager and Founder of the Center for Sustainable Investment in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Panelists included Dr. Hala Barakat, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at The American University in Cairo; and Tarek Badr, FMVA®, MBA Candidate and Program Manager at Creativa (under ITIDA/TIEC, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology). The conversation explored how women are reshaping industries through bold leadership, from tech startups to creative enterprises and social initiatives, while addressing gaps in mentorship, policy support, and investment. Key themes included building collaborative networks, leveraging technology for scalable impact, and mentoring the next generation to sustain momentum.

Her Mark Expo transcended a single gathering, serving as a beacon for resilience and vision in Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Early feedback highlights commitments from participants to launch cross-sector collaborations, with projections for 15 new women-led ventures emerging from the event’s connections within the next year.

“Women entrepreneurs don’t just overcome fears—they redefine them, turning personal stories of resilience into blueprints for collective progress. At IECC, we’re committed to amplifying these voices through platforms like Her Mark Expo,” said Eng. Ahmed Saleh, Executive Director of Nile University’s IECC.

“This expo is a testament to the untapped potential of Egyptian women in innovation. By fostering ecosystems that prioritize equity, we’re not only driving economic growth but also cultural shifts toward inclusive leadership,” noted Dr. Hala Barakat, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at The American University in Cairo.

“Empowering women in tech and creative spaces requires bridging investment gaps with purpose-driven strategies. Events like this ignite the spark for sustainable ventures that benefit communities and economies alike,” stated Tarek Badr, Program Manager at Creativa.

“Moderating this panel was a privilege—witnessing these leaders discuss reshaping futures reminds us that true impact blooms from shared courage and strategic alliances,” remarked Ahmed El Karrany, UNDP Project Manager.

The event outlined a roadmap for entrepreneurial empowerment:

• Short-term (Immediate Actions): Personal reflection on fears through journaling or peer circles, coupled with networking at expos to secure initial mentorship and feedback.
• Mid-term (6-12 Months): Skill-building via targeted programs like IECC workshops, prototype development, and pilot funding applications to validate ideas.
• Long-term (1-3 Years): Scaling through ecosystem partnerships, policy advocacy for gender-inclusive incentives, and impact measurement to attract investors and expand influence.

Recommendations focus on collaborative growth: Strengthen public-private mentorship hubs, integrate fear-resilience training into startup curricula, and launch dedicated funds for women-led initiatives to boost Egypt’s female entrepreneurship rate from 15% to 30% by 2030.

Related Resources:

• • Event Highlights: Explore Her Mark Expo Gallery
  • Speaker Profiles: Ahmed Saleh | Dr. Hala Barakat | Tarek Badr | Ahmed El Karrany