EdVentures and Mastercard Foundation Spotlight 12 EdTech Startups, Reaching 410,000 Learners in Egypt
EdVentures, the corporate venture capital arm of Nahdet Misr Group, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, hosted the Demo Day for Cohort 2 of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Egypt, spotlighting 12 high-potential startups delivering scalable, market-ready education solutions.
The event marked the culmination of an intensive eight-month, equity-free acceleration program designed to help growth-stage, African-led EdTech companies refine their models, strengthen impact measurement, and scale sustainably. The showcased startups addressed critical education challenges spanning foundational learning, workforce readiness, accessibility solutions, financial literacy, and inclusive skills development.
Implemented in Egypt by EdVentures, the Fellowship has supported 23 EdTech startups across two cohorts, collectively reaching more than 410,000 new learners as of January 2026. The milestone reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that technology-enabled education delivers tangible outcomes, expands access, and creates meaningful pathways to economic participation for young people and underserved communities.
Dalia Ibrahim, Founder and CEO of EdVentures, emphasized the long-term vision behind the initiative, stating:
“At EdVentures, we believe education innovation succeeds only when it is built for scale, relevance, and long-term impact. Supporting EdTech founders goes beyond funding; it requires strengthening their ability to translate innovation into real learning outcomes and workforce readiness. Through this Fellowship, EdVentures is helping shape a new generation of education companies that address structural gaps and contribute meaningfully to human capital development across Egypt and Africa.”
The Fellowship places a strong focus on youth and women entrepreneurs aged 18–35, ensuring that business growth is aligned with social impact. Across the two cohorts, 52% of supported startups are women-led, 87% are youth-led, and 34% are led from rural areas, underscoring a deliberate strategy to nurture diverse leadership and expand opportunity beyond urban centers.
Wariko Waita, Director of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, highlighted the importance of inclusive design in education technology, noting:
“Educational Technologies carry the most impact when designed with all-inclusive assistive technologies. The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship was launched to open up education to all – education that is accessible, relevant, and inclusive, enabled by technology-enabled learning developed by entrepreneurs solving persistent challenges. Now in 12 countries, including Egypt, the Fellowship program is transforming education with an impact reach of over 5 million learners in Africa.”
Beyond scale, the Fellowship’s impact is reflected in who it reaches. Among learners served across the two cohorts, 77% are youth and 71% are female youth, reinforcing the program’s alignment with inclusive opportunity. The portfolio also demonstrates a strong commitment to marginalized communities, reaching 28,700 refugee learners and 20,500 persons with disabilities.
Participating startups collectively operate in more than 20 governorates, with roadshows conducted in 13 governorates, ensuring broad geographic reach and equitable distribution of educational impact nationwide.
In addition to investment readiness, the Fellowship equips founders with practical tools to scale responsibly. Startups benefit from over 290 hours of tailored mentorship, expert-led workshops, and strategic advisory sessions designed to enhance operational resilience and long-term sustainability.
Cohort 2 Startups Include:
Mazraaty Academy – Agricultural and veterinary education
Livit Education – STEM, robotics, and emerging technologies
PikaDo – AI-powered peer-to-peer language learning
ScribeMe – Accessibility tools for visually impaired learners
Tick & Talk – Communication and presentation skills training
Eagle Academy – Medical education and professional training
CAMTECH – Engineering learning for Arabic-speaking youth
Carerha – Women-focused economic empowerment platform
Innova – Gamified financial literacy education for students
Cognify Education – Support for learners with learning difficulties
Growtwopro – Healthcare workforce readiness and upskilling hub
MRCS IV – Online academy advancing African doctors’ skills
The Cohort 2 Demo Day reaffirmed the shared vision of EdVentures and the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship: scaling African-led education solutions that strengthen learning outcomes, promote equity, and contribute to long-term social and economic development.
As the Fellowship advances beyond its second cohort, it remains anchored in a core belief – that empowering education entrepreneurs is among the most effective ways to unlock opportunity for the next generation, ensuring that every learner, regardless of circumstance or geography, can thrive.