Entlaq Summit 2025 Launches Egypt’s Entrepreneurship Diagnostic Report in El Gouna
The third edition of the Entlaq Summit officially opened today in El Gouna with the launch of the Egyptian Entrepreneurship Sector Diagnostic Report (SDR 2025). The event was held under the auspices of the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship; the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation; the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade; the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities; and the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority, in partnership with leading ecosystem supporters.
In a recorded speech, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, emphasized that the Egypt Startup Charter will empower over 5,000 startups and create half a million jobs over the next five years. She highlighted that the initiative enjoys the full support of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, stressing the government’s commitment to building an innovation-driven economy and enhancing Egypt’s global competitiveness.
The summit also received significant support from the private sector. EgyptAir, Talabat, and Keheilan Asset Management served as platinum sponsors, while gold sponsors included e& Egypt, Flat6Labs, Sawari Ventures, and Dar El Nahda for Printing and Publishing. This extensive backing underscores the private sector’s commitment to advancing Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and solidifying the country’s position as a regional hub for innovation.
The gathering brought together senior government officials, entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators, incubators, and experts in technology, innovation, and sustainable development, alongside representatives of local and international financial institutions. The event provided a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange, success stories, and the exploration of new opportunities across Egypt and the wider region.
At the opening press conference, Entlaq unveiled the SDR 2025 Report, a flagship evidence-based reference offering a multidimensional analysis of Egypt’s entrepreneurial economy. The report examines startups across sectors and regions, linking economic indicators with legal, institutional, and policy frameworks. It highlights entrepreneurship as a driver of GDP, resilience, inclusivity, and innovation, while also addressing challenges such as regulatory barriers, limited access to capital, and ecosystem gaps.
The summit agenda features four major panel discussions, including sessions on macroeconomic reforms as a catalyst for investment and addressing Egypt’s USD 1 billion funding gap.
Omar Rezk, Managing Director of Entlaq, described the summit as a strategic platform convening decision-makers at a critical moment of economic transformation:
> “With investments in startups falling from USD 608 million in 2023 to USD 334 million in 2024, and Egypt’s share of regional venture capital shrinking from 25% in 2021 to 11% in 2024, this summit is designed to spotlight reforms and rebuild investor confidence.”
He added that the report draws on 400+ surveys and 15 in-depth interviews with investors and regulators, offering data-driven solutions to ecosystem bottlenecks, including financing, geographic disparities, and regulatory hurdles. Rezk further stressed the importance of inclusivity, citing that while women represent 38% of founders, they secured just 1.3% of investment deals in 2023–2024 and only 2% in H1 2025. “Closing this gap is essential for inclusive growth and for unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurship as an engine of job creation and diversification,” he noted.
Rezk concluded:
> “This vision positions the summit as a convergence point between public and private sectors, reinforcing Egypt’s role as a regional hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
