// Welcome to Cairo //
// Vibrant / Historic / Cultural //
CITY LEADER: Mostafa Shahat
FIRST EVENT: November 30, 2022
Mostafa Shahat successfully brought Founders Live Cairo to life by leveraging his extensive experience in running entrepreneurship programs and events.
Collaborating with esteemed local partners such as Consoleya, Bolsters Advisory, and BM Lease, he organized impactful Founders Live Cairo events.
Upcoming Cairo Events
Special thanks to our partners!
Cairo News
The Cairo Team
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Mostafa Shahat
MENA Regional Director
Mostafa is an introducer, helping businesses to build consistent & automated outreach to investors from all over the world. He is on a mission to boost businesses using automation & technology by helping businesses to fundraise and generate leads. Entrepreneurship is his passion. He previously ran funded entrepreneurship programs by IRC (Information Resources Center) – US Embassy in Cairo.
Mostafa has studied entrepreneurship in the USA, Italy, and Slovenia. Published entrepreneurship articles & stories in global magazines and blogs.
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Maria Hamad Sulaiman
Volunteer Director
Founder and Director Mariasoft-Skills
CELTA, Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow @ Vanderbilt University 20/21
ArchitectFor over five years, she's been dedicated to education and content creation, particularly in soft skills development. Founder of Mariasoft-Skills, she offers online and offline courses on communication, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and leadership. With a diverse background in architecture and experience as a Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow at Vanderbilt University, she tailors engaging content to student needs. Holding certifications from Cambridge Assessment International Education and TESOL International Association, she volunteers extensively as a tutor and teacher, fostering supportive learning environments. A lifelong learner, she's committed to growth and contribution, embodying courage, persistence, optimism, and spirituality.
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Abdel-Rahim Afifi
Advisor
Business Instructor, Business Consultancy & Advisory, Governance, Mediation, Arbitration, Legal.
With an MBA from the U.S. and a current pursuit of a DBA, I navigate the worlds of strategy and academia like a conductor orchestrating a symphony. Having worked across local and international markets, I specialize in turning complex consultations into clear, actionable strategies. From operational excellence to advisory services, I’ve helped businesses overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and unlock their potential.
Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, I thrive in dynamic environments, working with startups and established businesses alike. I aim to empower founders, investors, and professionals to make informed decisions and build sustainable ventures.
When I'm not in the boardroom or the classroom, you might find me mentoring emerging talents or exploring new ideas to solve business puzzles. My work is about more than advice—it's about igniting visions and translating them into reality. So reach out and let's take the first steps together!
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Omnia El Minyawi
Operations Assistant
Omnia El Minyawi is currently the Communications Lead in YOUNGO and has a strong background in STEM, having studied at the U.S. Embassy and Amideast. During preparations for COY18, she played a key role in nominating and electing participants, and later contributed to the translation and correction of policy papers for COP29. In 2025, she renewed her YOUNGO membership and was selected as the Coordinating Team Lead for the Conferences Group within the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Working Group.
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Youstina Abdelmeseh
Youstina is the co-founder of Pandora Marketing Agency, where she leads digital marketing and personal branding for clients across the MENA region.
With 7 years of experience across 8 countries and more than 20 industries, she has delivered impactful projects that built engaged communities, tripled lead generation, and boosted brand visibility.
She has conducted in-demand workshops on personal branding, LinkedIn growth, and digital strategy, empowering professionals to stand out online.Her passion lies in helping individuals and businesses craft their unique voice—and making sure it’s heard loud and clear.
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Nellie El Enany, PhD
Dr. Nellie El Enany is an Assistant Professor at the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, American University in Cairo (AUC). She earned her PhD from Nottingham University Business School, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, and a Master of Science by Research in Innovative Manufacturing from Cranfield University, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). She is also a Fellow of Advance HE (UK).
Her interdisciplinary research examines entrepreneurial identity, bottom of the pyramid entrepreneurship, inclusive pedagogy, and healthcare service delivery, with publications in Social Science & Medicine and Health Services and Delivery Research. She is known for her innovative teaching methods, including art and drama based learning, and student-produced podcasts, which have been featured by Harvard Business Publishing and Routledge.
Dr. El Enany has presented her work at leading international forums such as the Academy of Management, the British Academy of Management, and the Oxford Animal Ethics Summer School. Beyond academia, she is engaged in community development and animal welfare, collaborating with the Egyptian Veterinary Authority, the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, and Talya’s Rescue. She also runs community initiatives with children that nurture sustainability awareness, entrepreneurial thinking. and empathy for animals.
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Dr. Emmanuel R. Goffi
Advisor
Dr Goffi is an Artificial Intelligence Ethicist. He is Professor in ethics applied to AI, and Head of the Ethics, Management, Personal and Professional Project Department, at Isep - Paris Institute of Digital Technology. He is also vice-president Europe of the Fondation Tamkine, Rabat, Morocco.
Dr Goffi is also an expert and ethics sherpa who has been working with public and private organizations in France and abroad, advising them on how to integrate ethics into their digital-related activities.
He is also a research associate with organizations in Morocco, Brazil, Spain, and Canada, and a lecturer in several institutions in France, China, Morocco, and Switzerland.
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Competitors
At every event, five founders take to our stage to pitch their ideas in 99 seconds.
If you’re interested in appearing at a future Spokane event, we’re always seeking to fill our roster.
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Sponsors
Get your brand front and center on our stage, in real life and online.
Our savvy attendees show up at our startup events because they have an eye for what’s special.
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Volunteer
We’re always looking for volunteers motivated to make a difference in their community.
You’ll get noticed for what you do, on stage or off, and you’ll feel great, too.
Join our planning committee!