Erik Stam’s Post

Egypt’s entrepreneurship sector’s investments exceed $2B during past 4 years | PM Over the past four years, the Egyptian entrepreneurship sector has pumped investments totaling over $2 billion, Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, said during his participation at the 11th edition of RiseUp Summit Minister Madbouly highlighted Egypt’s commitment to supporting the entrepreneurship sector, including establishing a dedicated unit for entrepreneurship and emerging companies This unit operates under the Cabinet and is led by the CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) Read more in our website! #Egypt #RiseUp #business #RiseupSummit #RiseupSummitEgypt|#مصر #مصطفى_مدبولي #تحيا_مصر

What a journey we have had over the past 1.5 years as we explored how #islamicfinance could support #socialenterprise engagement in the OIC. Can you imagine bi-monthly virtual meetings with individuals sitting in Calgary, Ankara, Doha and Jeddah, combined with hosting a virtual focus group with participants from the Middle East? Special thanks to my co authors Dawood Ashraf Reza Chowdhury Abdurrahman YAZICI, PhD, our research assistant Abdul-Jalil Ibrahim, Ph.D., and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for its support. Our report, "Catalyzing Social Entrepreneurship through Islamic Finance: A Sustainable Pathway for Socio-economic Impact," explores how Islamic finance can empower social entrepreneurs. While social enterprises in OIC countries are still young, many examples in our report showcase remarkable innovation and positive social impact despite existing challenges. Download the report to learn more! https://lnkd.in/gP3YSfMA #socialenteprrise #islamicfiannce Mount Royal University Bissett School of Business #socialinnovation #sdgs

Saudi Arabia is becoming a key hub for global entrepreneurs, driven by its Vision 2030 initiative, a supportive public sector, and a dynamic culture of entrepreneurship. Over the last five years, Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial landscape has experienced a significant boom, with startups increasing by an impressive 87% annually from 2017 to 2022. The combination of young and female entrepreneurs reshapes Saudi Arabia’s business environment. By the third quarter of 2023, women owned 33.7% of commercial registrations, and young men accounted for 38.6%. These statistics reflect a growing and inclusive business culture in Saudi Arabia, where diversity and innovation are key to economic progress. Al Taasis is a trusted partner for entrepreneurs. With a deep understanding of Saudi Arabia’s business landscape and regulatory environment, Al Taasis offers expert guidance in acquiring an Entrepreneur License. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d7UVYWQW Contact us now: https://lnkd.in/gUtfG5sj Email: [email protected] #SaudiEntrepreneurLicense #SaudiBusiness #SaudiStartups #InvestSaudi #VentureCapital #AlTaasisblog #AlTaasis

🌟 Exciting News: UAE and Saudi Arabia Lead Global Entrepreneurial Rankings! 🚀 Both countries have made remarkable strides in fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems, as highlighted by the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report for 2023-2024. 📈 Saudi Arabia's efforts in #economic diversification and empowering women entrepreneurs have propelled it to the forefront of global entrepreneurship, with significant improvements in its National Entrepreneurship Context Index score. Meanwhile, the UAE has achieved a historic high score of 7.7, solidifying its position as a global leader in #entrepreneurship, driven by top-notch infrastructure and education initiatives. 💼 Both nations prioritize gender-inclusive entrepreneurship and integrate entrepreneurship #education into school curricula, fostering future entrepreneurial talent and innovation. Stay tuned for more updates on the dynamic entrepreneurial landscapes of the UAE and #Saudi Arabia! Read More - https://lnkd.in/gF-GtSFJ #Entrepreneurship #UAE #SaudiArabia #GlobalLeaders #EconomicDiversification #WomenEntrepreneurs #Innovation #Education #Infrastructure #GEMReport

Crises don’t diminish the need for entrepreneurship—they amplify it. From the Arab Spring to economic turmoil and beyond, high-impact entrepreneurs in the MENA region have consistently stepped up to drive innovation, create jobs, and build resilient economies. Take Barbaros Ozbugutu, who secured an investment round for iyzico amidst a coup attempt, or Mohamed Azab, who scaled multiple businesses despite political unrest, COVID-19, and currency devaluations. Their stories are powerful reminders that adaptability and bold thinking fuel growth, even in the most challenging environments. Just last year, Endeavor Entrepreneurs in Egypt raised $320M, generated over $1B in revenue, and created 200,000 jobs. In Türkiye, 7 unicorns have emerged, with startups raising $722M in 2023 alone. As Yana El Dirani, our Head of Middle East for Endeavor Catalyst, says: a country in crisis isn’t an argument against entrepreneurship—it’s an argument for it: https://lnkd.in/eTgZpQDr #MENA #Entrepreneurship #MoreThanScaleMultiply

🌍 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Africa have the potential to boost local entrepreneurship, but for this to happen effectively, tailored policies and infrastructure are essential to better support MSMEs and drive sustainable growth. 🚀 A new paper by Susanne Frick & Imane Radouane, published in Transnational Corporations, explores this important intersection of SEZs and entrepreneurship development across Africa. 📊 Their research sheds light on current challenges, opportunities, and the path forward for leveraging SEZ policies to foster local innovation and economic development. If you're interested in policy, economic zones, or entrepreneurship in emerging markets, this is a must-read! 📖 🔗 Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/d2khzkQh #SEZ #Entrepreneurship #Africa #MSMEs #EconomicDevelopment #Innovation

A country in crisis is not an argument against entrepreneurship—it’s an argument for it. Being half-Lebanese and half-Ukrainian, my life has been intertwined with crises from the very beginning. I saw firsthand how adversity shapes people. It’s why I believe so deeply in the power of entrepreneurship to transform economies and create opportunities, even in the most challenging environments. In my latest piece, I share the stories of founders like Turkey's Barbaros Ozbugutu and Egypt’s Mohamed Azab, who have faced turbulence but used it to fuel innovation and growth. When everything feels uncertain, entrepreneurs build, adapt, and lead. Read more about their journeys here: https://lnkd.in/dK-4xhkt #Entrepreneurship #MENA #MoreThanScaleMultiply

Thank you, Yana El Dirani, for bringing this crucial issue to light—spot on! I won't repeat the cliché "Difficult times create strong .......," but my experience clearly shows how crucial resilience is for any startup's success, anywhere in the world. Startups function like small-scale democracies, proving to others that transformative change is not only possible but achievable. They are particularly inspiring during challenging times, showing that there are always better ways to approach problems and solve them. Read the full story: Riding the Black Swan: Why Entrepreneurship Is Even More Important in Crisis-prone Regions https://lnkd.in/d52NWSJT By the way, iyzico's fundraising during the 2016 coup attempt are also featured as a case study at Harvard Business School. If you're interested in learning more, you can check it out here: https://lnkd.in/d9vNiwX9 #Resilience #Entrepreneurship #CulturalRevolution #StartupSuccess #HBSCaseStudy #Endeavor #iyzico #Debaventures

Exciting Collaboration Announcement: Youth Entrepreneurs Network (YEN) & The British University in Egypt We are thrilled to announce a milestone moment for YEN as we officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The British University in Egypt. This significant partnership marks the beginning of a promising collaboration aimed at nurturing and supporting entrepreneurs and the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem in Egypt. Hany Ayaad - Amr Seda This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to fostering innovation and providing young entrepreneurs with the resources, guidance, and academic insights needed to thrive in today's competitive marketplace. By combining our efforts, YEN and The British University in Egypt are setting a strong foundation for entrepreneurial success that aligns with our core mission of economic development and job creation. The signing event was not just a formal agreement but a celebration of the potential we have to transform the entrepreneurial landscape together. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership will create for both our communities and beyond. Stay tuned as we embark on this exciting journey to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators. Together, we are building a brighter future for entrepreneurship in Egypt. #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Partnership #YENxBUE #MOUSigning #EmpoweringEntrepreneurs #FutureLeaders

Thanks for sharing Andrés! If you haven't already, check out our article on Entrepreneurship and Special Economic Zones recently published in the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Transnational Corporations Journal. Susanne Frick and I have explored how SEZs could promote local entrepreneurship. Initiatives like targeted skills development, networking, and providing business-friendly regulations can reinforce spillovers effects. In addition, tailoring policies & infrastructure to the specific needs of local entrepreneurs, rather than offering generic incentives, is crucial for effectiveness. Read our full article here: https://lnkd.in/e3REfeug