The British Embassy in Cairo along with Fla6Labs has launched Hackathon, a new competition for promising social entrepreneurs. The organizers are looking for innovative ways to solve problems in the field of recycling, energy, and sustainable farming.
Interested parties can apply online with a detailed explanation on solving a problem in one of the three sectors mentioned above. The organizers will carefully review the applications and choose the best ones. The first ten teams will attend a two-day workshop where they will receive the tools they need to expand their ideas into successful businesses. At the end of the event, they will present the finished product in front of a panel of judges who will announce the winners.
The competition is an important part of the British Embassy’s Inspire Egypt program. It encourages local ambitious young people that want to make a difference in their society. According HMA John Casson, the start up scene in Egypt has an impressive potential to grow and contribute to the local economy.
Flat6Labs in among the leading start up accelerators in the country. It offers funding, consultancy services, and mentorship to support rising start ups directly. Currently, it operates in Cairo, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, and Tunis. Since 2011, it has invested in over 50 Egyptian start ups, including Taasky, Nafham, and Instabug. Willie Elamien, the Managing Director of Flat6labs in Cairo, confirmed that the accelerator is planning to invest in 100 companies in Egypt in the next five years.