network on the nile

NETWORK ON THE NILE
The Multiplier Effect at Work in Cairo’s Tech Sector
Powered by:
.
The success of Cairo’s tech sector can be seen in companies such as ITWorx.
• Software firm founded in 1994
• Currently employs 850 people
• Awarded “Partner of the Year” by
Microsoft
• Offices in Canada, Egypt, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, United
Kingdom, and the U.S.A.
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
.
We studied the entire tech sector to find additional instances of connections
among companies.
METHODOLOGY
We asked more than 200 Cairo tech founders five questions:
• Who MENTORED you as you built your company?
• Who INSPIRED you to become an entrepreneur?
• Who INVESTED in your company?
• Where were you EMPLOYED before becoming an entrepreneur?
• Have you FOUNDED any additional companies?
Note: In all, 236 surveys were completed. Supplementary data was gathered using CrunchBase and LinkedIn.
However, the influence of ITWorx isn’t limited to its expansion and job creation. The
firm has also spawned dozens of other Cairo tech firms.
Influence of ITWorx
(1993-2014)
JOY
PATTERNS
MADRASTAK
L55S
INFRALAYER
F16APPS
ORB
DEVELOPMENT
2M
DOT
NET
DIGITAL
REPUBLIC
CONNECTMETV
LINKDOTNET
PIERIDE
TA
TELECOM
IMIDOS
SAFARI
STUDIO
ENTERTECH
ITWORX
19941996
3AYEZANGA7.COM
CODELAB
Legend:
INSPIRATION
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
NETCELERA
WRITEIT
EXPERTWAVE
EN2LY
CODLY
20122014
SNAPZE
OFFERNA
KHAYAL
INTERACTIVE
FORMER EMPLOYEES
20072011
TIMELINE
INTERACTIVE
CAREERISE
FOUNDER
19992006
WIRELESS
DYNAMICS
FASEELA
INVESTMENT
FROGCELL
CENTRIVISION
SWIPE
'N
TAP
CROWD
DYNAMIX
MENTORSHIP
BEY2OLLAK
BLUE
CLOUD
HATEFNA
GAMES
BOND
CAIRO
SOURCE
UNIQUE
SOLUTIONS
FOR
SERVICES
AND
SUPPLIES
SAE
QHAT
GIOVENTY
EL7A2
SUPERMAMA
SOLVERMINE
ALERTIA
MOBILE
DRBRIDGE
TRUSTIOUS
Year
Founded
The Cairo tech ecosystem was very small in the early 1990s.
Cairo Tech Sector
Network Map
(c. 1998)
MEGA
MEDIA
MAZIKA.COM
LINK
EGYPT
NSYS
COMPANY
EGYPTNETWORK
IPMAGIX
INTOUCH
ASSERAG
KNOWLEDGE
SYSTEMS
ANACAD
EGYPT
19911998
PROSYLAB
MASRAWY
ESRI
NORTHEAST
AFRICA
VICTORY
LINK
ITWORX
PROMISE
ENTERTECH
ARABIZE
Legend:
MENTORSHIP
INVESTMENT
FOUNDER
FORMER EMPLOYEES
INSPIRATION
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
EQUINOX
GRAPHICS
ASSET
TECHNOLOGY
GROUP
Year
Founded
The sector began to expand more quickly through the early 2000s.
Cairo Tech Sector
Network Map
(c. 2006)
ONECARD
GAWB
KHAYAL
INTERACTIVE
ASGATECH
AKHBARAK.NET
LINUX-PLUS
INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
TA
TELECOM
NRG
SOLUTIONS
MAKTABAK
DOT
NET
WIRELESS
DYNAMICS
WRITEIT
OPENCRAFT
EL
MASRY
EL
YOUM
MEGA
MEDIA
RAYA
CORP
MAZIKA.COM
LINK
EGYPT
LINKDOTNET
NSYS
COMPANY
EGYPTNETWORK
IPMAGIX
VISION
SOLUTIONS
SARMADY
INTOUCH
ASSERAG
KNOWLEDGE
SYSTEMS
ARABHARDWARE.COM
NETWORK
DYNAMICS
ANACAD
EGYPT
EGYNILE
SI-WARE
19911998
PROSYLAB
CONNECTMETV
19992006
ABDOUZBAZAAR.COM
MASRAWY
SILVERKEY
TECHNOLOGIES
AIM
ESRI
NORTHEAST
AFRICA
LASILKA
ZAD
SOLUTIONS
VICTORY
LINK
ITWORX
PROMISE
TIMELINE
INTERACTIVE
ENTERTECH
EQUINOX
GRAPHICS
ARABIZE
DASHSOFT
NETCELERA
ASSET
TECHNOLOGY
GROUP
Legend:
GCSSD
SYSDSOFT
TECHNOWIRELESS
EMERGE
TECHNOLOGY
EGYPTHOME
IT
XCEED
OTLOB
EXTREME
SOLUTION
SUMERGE
CENTRIVISION
IT-BLOCKS
INFORMATIQUE
MENTORSHIP
INVESTMENT
FOUNDER
FORMER EMPLOYEES
INSPIRATION
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
SAFARI
STUDIO
Year
Founded
The number of tech companies more than doubled in the next four years.
Cairo Tech Sector
Network Map
7ELME
MRRHA
AQARMAP.COM
RAWA7
(c. 2011)
CLICK
SOLUTIONS
BYAA3
STORES
RAYA
SOCIAL
MEDIA
KI AMII
EVENTTUS
CODESCALERS
NABDA
CARE
DAMLAG
GIOVENTY
QABILATV
KAWKB
MASH
LTD
BASHARSOFT
DESIGNOLOGY
EKSHEF
OFFERNA
SYSTE
EDFA3LY
EMPTY
STUDIOS
ONECARD
DOMINOS
MEDIA
GAWB
LINU -PLUS
INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
NRG
SOLUTIONS
MAKTABAK
DOT
NET
WASALNY
DARE N DEAL
UNIQUE
SOLUTIONS
FOR
SERVICES
AND
SUPPLIES
SAE
CAIRO
SOURCE
WIRELESS
DYNAMICS
SMALL
WORLD
INTERACTIVE
WRITEIT
EBRANDING3
OPENCRAFT
EL
MASRY
EL
YOUM
SILMINDS
BOOKS
ZOBOON
TA
TELECOM
MEDIAN
TECH
OTEENA
RAZY
TECHNOLOGIES
KHAYAL
INTERACTIVE
ASGATECH
AKHBARAK.NET
FOOTA
MEGA
MEDIA
RAYA
CORP
SOCIAL
FRUITS
MAZIKA.COM
LINK
EGYPT
LINKDOTNET
NSYS
COMPANY
EGYPTNETWORK
CAIRO
ZOOM
IPMAGI
VISION
SOLUTIONS
EGTNS
SARMADY
UCROWD
INTOUCH
ASSERAG
KNOWLEDGE
SYSTEMS
ARABHARDWARE.COM
IPHONE
ISLAM
ESEED
NETWORK
DYNAMICS
ANACAD
EGYPT
EGYNILE
SI-WARE
SUPERMAMA
19911998
PROSYLAB
SACHABOOKS
CONNECTMETV
19992006
20072011
ABDOUZBAZAAR.COM
MASRAWY
CARTOON
HERO
HASHAPPS
SILVERKEY
TECHNOLOGIES
AIM
LASILKA
VICTORY
LINK
MIPE
ZAD
SOLUTIONS
BRANDCOW
CLOUD
NINERS
LTD
ESRI
NORTHEAST
AFRICA
ABLAABLA.COM
FACES
STUDIOS
TECHEGY
EQUINO
GRAPHICS
ENTERTECH
ARABIZE
DASHSOFT
Legend:
CEQUENS
ITWOR
PROMISE
TIMELINE
INTERACTIVE
CIRCLETIE
NETCELERA
ASSET
TECHNOLOGY
GROUP
EL7A2
E-MASARY
GCSSD
SYSDSOFT
F
NILECODE
APPS
BRIGHT
ORB
CREATIONS
DEVELOPMENT
TECHNOWIRELESS
EMERGE
TECHNOLOGY
FUSTANY
ALZWAD
EGYPTHOME
IT
CEED
OTLOB
2 TRENDS
E TREME
SOLUTION
SUMERGE
CORE
BPO
CENTRIVISION
EGYCLOUD
SAFARI
STUDIO
IT-BLOCKS
INFORMATIQUE
DIGITAL
REPUBLIC
IQRAALY
MENTORSHIP
INVESTMENT
FOUNDER
FORMER EMPLOYEES
INSPIRATION
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
FI-ME
ELMENUS
SWIPE
N
TAP
BEY2OLLAK
GOSOS
IPNEO
THE
PLANET
LOGIC
DESIGNS
CROWD
DYNAMI
CITE
SOFTWARE
2M
DOT
NET
IMIDOS
FROGCELL
ETQAN
TECH
DISALATA.COM
RFID
IN
REGION
T-DESIGN
CODELAB
E PERTWAVE
CAREERISE
YOU EL
TECHNOLOGY
BLUE
CLOUD
2TRAVEL2EGYPT
Year
Founded
Today, the Cairo tech sector is well-developed and deeply connected.
BOONMARKS
COLORS
EMOKHALFA
Cairo Tech Sector
Network Map
BRAINGIZER
SPREADO
SIMPLATIVE
THEUPTI.ME
DAKATRA
XPOZ
GO
EJAZA
EGYDRIOD
KOTOBI.COM
ENNOTA.COM
E3LNLY.COM
SPYROS
GAMES
GETSIRCLES
ALSHA3BYORED.COM
INTHEKLOUD
BOXIMIZE
SOUTAK
SUPERNEUR
JIDARI
LOCNAME
SHARE
MY
RIDE
OVERC
STUDIOS
7ELME
BUS
POOLING
(c. 2014)
RAYA
SOCIAL
MEDIA
CLICK
SOLUTIONS
BYAA3
STORES
ESHTERY
WASEL
DAMLAG
GIOVENTY
GARAYD
QABILATV
BASHARSOFT
DESIGNOLOGY
CASTPACE
5D
FIFTH
DIMENSION
KAWKB
MASH
LTD
PUSHBOTS
EKSHEF
OFFERNA
SYSTEX
20
USES
ONECARD
DOMINOS
MEDIA
BOXOIT
GAWB
ASGATECH
AKHBARAK.NET
LINUX-PLUS
INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
MAKTABAK
DOT
NET
WASALNY
SIMPLEX
UNIQUE
SOLUTIONS
FOR
SERVICES
AND
SUPPLIES
SAE
BOOKS
GYROLABS
ENOVA
MEGA
MEDIA
LINKDOTNET
NSYS
COMPANY
EGYPTNETWORK
UCROWD
INTOUCH
ASSERAG
KNOWLEDGE
SYSTEMS
ARABHARDWARE.COM
CULTARK
NETWORK
DYNAMICS
ANACAD
EGYPT
EGYNILE
SI-WARE
SUPERMAMA
19911998
PROSYLAB
CONNECTMETV
19992006
MASRAWY
CARTOON
HERO
SOUQELHAKIM.COM
TAWSEELA
HASHAPPS
LASILKA
ZAD
SOLUTIONS
BRANDCOW
THINK
EGY
VICTORY
LINK
FACES
STUDIOS
ARABIZE
CIRCLETIE
NETCELERA
ASSET
TECHNOLOGY
GROUP
EL7A2
KAR
TAG
MOSTAQQEL
ESYNOD
CAMELCASE
CENTRIVISION
SUMERGE
CORE
BPO
EGYCLOUD
TELECOSYS
SAFARI
STUDIO
IT-BLOCKS
INFORMATIQUE
DIGITAL
REPUBLIC
IQRAALY
KASHEF
LABS
INSPIRATION
ALZWAD
EGYPTHOME
IT
XCEED
OTLOB
25TRENDS
EXTREME
SOLUTION
FORMER EMPLOYEES
BRIGHT
ORB
CREATIONS
DEVELOPMENT
TECHNOWIRELESS
EMERGE
TECHNOLOGY
FUSTANY
UMBRELLA
COMMUNICATION
SAYDALEE
E-MASARY
APPS
TENNRA
WARSHETY
REVIEWZAT.COM
NILECODE
GCSSD
SYSDSOFT
F
CENTIONE
TECHEGY
EQUINOX
GRAPHICS
ENTERTECH
ZEX
CEQUENS
ITWORX
PROMISE
TIMELINE
INTERACTIVE
DASHSOFT
EGYPTIAN
STREETS
DAWAYA.COM
CLOUD
NINERS
LTD
ESRI
NORTHEAST
AFRICA
AIM
INSTABUG
FOUNDER
20122014
SILVERKEY
TECHNOLOGIES
ABLAABLA.COM
MIPEX
INVESTMENT
20072011
ABDOUZBAZAAR.COM
EDUKITTEN
MENTORSHIP
COTERIQUE
CAIRO
ZOOM
ESEED
SACHABOOKS
Legend:
SOCIAL
FRUITS
MAZIKA.COM
LINK
EGYPT
IPHONE
ISLAM
GENU
RESTART
TECHNOLOGY
TRUSTIOUS
INTERACT
SPACEGENE
FRIEN 0
BUSINESS
SENSE
EBRANDING3 0
VISION
SOLUTIONS
SARMADY
RAYE7
SMALL
WORLD
INTERACTIVE
IPMAGIX
EGTNS
NAFHAM
BUYANDEARN.COM
WRITEIT
OPENCRAFT
RAYA
CORP
SLICKR
3 0DALEEL
CAIRO
SOURCE
WIRELESS
DYNAMICS
EL
MASRY
EL
YOUM
SILMINDS
SIMPLEIA
APRCOT
DARE N DEA
L
CODLY
NRG
SOLUTIONS
XONEBEE
UNPLUGGED
ZOBOON
TA
TELECOM
MEDIAN
TECH
OTEENA
RAZY
TECHNOLOGIES
KHAYAL
INTERACTIVE
FOOTA
TAB3.TV
SCOOP
EMPIRE
GAMES
BOND
EMPTY
STUDIOS
ZAMAYEL
ASKNATIVE
EDFA3LY
WEFTID
INTEGREIGHT
CIRQY
CODESCALERS
NABDA
CARE
KIJAMII
EVENTTUS
ARKAB
EH
ENGEZNI
MRRHA
AQARMAP.COM
RAWA7
ZAAGEL
DSQUARES
TRYVIN
MUBASHER
INFO
ELWAFEYAT
DIGITREE
2TRAVEL2EGYPT
PIERIDE
NOFOOS
FI-ME
ELMENUS
TASKTY
SWIPE
N
TAP
SOFTLOCK
BEY2OLLAK
GOSOS
SOLVERMINE
IPNEO
THE
PLANET
JOBZELLA
QUAD-S
2M
DOT
NET
LOGIC
DESIGNS
3AYEZANGA7.COM
IMIDOS
DISALATA.COM
ZA7MAA
SNAPZE
CODELAB
YADGET
CAREERISE
YOUXEL
TECHNOLOGY
FROGCELL
ETQAN
TECH
TELLUS
EXPERTWAVE
CROWD
DYNAMIX
CITEX
SOFTWARE
BLUE
CLOUD
MADRASTAK
ERPIANS
T-DESIGN
RFID
IN
REGION
E7GEZONLINE
BEDOUN
KALAM
CODESTREAMZ
QHAT
INFRALAYER
EL7ESAB
KENRYS
INNOVITO
RAISIN
ET3ALEM.COM
MUBSER
NOST
EN2LY
JOY
PATTERNS
APPTHROUGH
L55S
ALERTIA
MOBILE
FARMINAL
MAPTURE
EPIC
MEDIA
HOUSE
CYBERKORA
QUANT
ROBOTS
FASEELA
HATEFNA
EL
MASNA3
VOOMATIC
FRITILL
INC.
QEYE
DRBRIDGE
MONKEYS
IN
SMARTECH
TUXEDOS FOR
TECHNOLOGICAL
IDT
SYSTEMS
CONSULTING ELCHEMIZE
SOLUTIONS
SYSTEMS
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
Full map contains 295 companies and 430 connections: 115 serial entrepreneurship;
102 former employees; 64 inspiration; 21 investment; 128 mentorship
VEE
NETWORKS
RAWY
ENGEZ
Year
Founded
Several local firms have become highly influential.
BOONMARKS
COLORS
EMOKHALFA
Cairo Tech Sector
Network Map
BRAINGIZER
SPREADO
SIMPLATIVE
THEUPTI.ME
DAKATRA
XPOZ
GO
EJAZA
EGYDRIOD
KOTOBI.COM
ENNOTA.COM
E3LNLY.COM
SPYROS
GAMES
GETSIRCLES
ALSHA3BYORED.COM
INTHEKLOUD
BOXIMIZE
SOUTAK
SUPERNEUR
JIDARI
LOCNAME
SHARE
MY
RIDE
OVERC
STUDIOS
7ELME
BUS
POOLING
(c. 2014)
CLICK
SOLUTIONS
BYAA3
STORES
ESHTERY
WASEL
DAMLAG
GIOVENTY
GARAYD
QABILATV
BASHARSOFT
DESIGNOLOGY
CASTPACE
5D
FIFTH
DIMENSION
KAWKB
MASH
LTD
PUSHBOTS
EKSHEF
OFFERNA
SYSTEX
20
USES
ONECARD
DOMINOS
MEDIA
BOXOIT
GAWB
ASGATECH
AKHBARAK.NET
LINUX-PLUS
INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
WASALNY
SIMPLEX
UNIQUE
SOLUTIONS
FOR
SERVICES
AND
SUPPLIES
SAE
BOOKS
GYROLABS
ENOVA
MEGA
MEDIA
LINKDOTNET
EGYPTNETWORK
UCROWD
INTOUCH
ASSERAG
KNOWLEDGE
SYSTEMS
ARABHARDWARE.COM
CULTARK
NETWORK
DYNAMICS
ANACAD
EGYPT
EGYNILE
SI-WARE
SUPERMAMA
19911998
PROSYLAB
CONNECTMETV
19992006
MASRAWY
CARTOON
HERO
SOUQELHAKIM.COM
HASHAPPS
AIM
LASILKA
ZAD
SOLUTIONS
BRANDCOW
THINK
EGY
VICTORY
LINK
PROMISE
TIMELINE
INTERACTIVE
ARABIZE
FACES
STUDIOS
CIRCLETIE
NETCELERA
ASSET
TECHNOLOGY
GROUP
EL7A2
KAR
TAG
MOSTAQQEL
ESYNOD
XCEED
EXTREME
SOLUTION
CENTRIVISION
SUMERGE
CORE
BPO
EGYCLOUD
TELECOSYS
SAFARI
STUDIO
IT-BLOCKS
INFORMATIQUE
DIGITAL
REPUBLIC
IQRAALY
KASHEF
LABS
INSPIRATION
ALZWAD
EGYPTHOME
IT
OTLOB
25TRENDS
CAMELCASE
FORMER EMPLOYEES
BRIGHT
ORB
CREATIONS
DEVELOPMENT
TECHNOWIRELESS
EMERGE
TECHNOLOGY
FUSTANY
UMBRELLA
COMMUNICATION
SAYDALEE
E-MASARY
APPS
TENNRA
WARSHETY
REVIEWZAT.COM
NILECODE
GCSSD
SYSDSOFT
F
CENTIONE
TECHEGY
EQUINOX
GRAPHICS
ENTERTECH
ZEX
CEQUENS
ITWORX
DASHSOFT
EGYPTIAN
STREETS
DAWAYA.COM
CLOUD
NINERS
LTD
ESRI
NORTHEAST
AFRICA
ABLAABLA.COM
TAWSEELA
INSTABUG
FOUNDER
20122014
SILVERKEY
TECHNOLOGIES
EDUKITTEN
INVESTMENT
20072011
ABDOUZBAZAAR.COM
MIPEX
MENTORSHIP
COTERIQUE
CAIRO
ZOOM
ESEED
SACHABOOKS
Legend:
SOCIAL
FRUITS
MAZIKA.COM
LINK
EGYPT
NSYS
COMPANY
IPHONE
ISLAM
GENU
RESTART
TECHNOLOGY
TRUSTIOUS
INTERACT
SPACEGENE
FRIEN 0
BUSINESS
SENSE
EBRANDING3 0
VISION
SOLUTIONS
SARMADY
RAYE7
SMALL
WORLD
INTERACTIVE
IPMAGIX
EGTNS
NAFHAM
BUYANDEARN.COM
WRITEIT
OPENCRAFT
RAYA
CORP
SLICKR
3 0DALEEL
CAIRO
SOURCE
WIRELESS
DYNAMICS
EL
MASRY
EL
YOUM
SILMINDS
SIMPLEIA
APRCOT
DARE N DEA
L
CODLY
NRG
SOLUTIONS
MAKTABAK
DOT
NET
XONEBEE
UNPLUGGED
ZOBOON
TA
TELECOM
MEDIAN
TECH
OTEENA
RAZY
TECHNOLOGIES
KHAYAL
INTERACTIVE
FOOTA
TAB3.TV
SCOOP
EMPIRE
GAMES
BOND
EMPTY
STUDIOS
ZAMAYEL
ASKNATIVE
EDFA3LY
WEFTID
INTEGREIGHT
CIRQY
CODESCALERS
NABDA
CARE
KIJAMII
EVENTTUS
ARKAB
EH
ENGEZNI
MRRHA
AQARMAP.COM
RAWA7
RAYA
SOCIAL
MEDIA
ZAAGEL
DSQUARES
TRYVIN
MUBASHER
INFO
ELWAFEYAT
DIGITREE
2TRAVEL2EGYPT
PIERIDE
NOFOOS
FI-ME
ELMENUS
TASKTY
SWIPE
N
TAP
SOFTLOCK
BEY2OLLAK
GOSOS
SOLVERMINE
IPNEO
THE
PLANET
JOBZELLA
QUAD-S
2M
DOT
NET
LOGIC
DESIGNS
3AYEZANGA7.COM
IMIDOS
DISALATA.COM
ZA7MAA
SNAPZE
CODELAB
YADGET
CAREERISE
YOUXEL
TECHNOLOGY
FROGCELL
ETQAN
TECH
TELLUS
EXPERTWAVE
CROWD
DYNAMIX
CITEX
SOFTWARE
BLUE
CLOUD
MADRASTAK
ERPIANS
T-DESIGN
RFID
IN
REGION
E7GEZONLINE
BEDOUN
KALAM
CODESTREAMZ
QHAT
INFRALAYER
EL7ESAB
KENRYS
INNOVITO
RAISIN
ET3ALEM.COM
MUBSER
NOST
EN2LY
JOY
PATTERNS
APPTHROUGH
L55S
ALERTIA
MOBILE
FARMINAL
MAPTURE
EPIC
MEDIA
HOUSE
CYBERKORA
QUANT
ROBOTS
FASEELA
HATEFNA
EL
MASNA3
VOOMATIC
FRITILL
INC.
QEYE
DRBRIDGE
MONKEYS
IN
SMARTECH
TUXEDOS FOR
TECHNOLOGICAL
IDT
SYSTEMS
CONSULTING ELCHEMIZE
SOLUTIONS
SYSTEMS
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
Full map contains 295 companies and 430 connections: 115 serial entrepreneurship;
102 former employees; 64 inspiration; 21 investment; 128 mentorship
VEE
NETWORKS
RAWY
ENGEZ
Year
Founded
.
We analyzed the characteristics of the founders of Cairo’s tech companies,
such as their ages.
Number of Founders
50
40
30
20
10
0
Under 20
21 to 26
27 to 32
33 to 38
Over 39
Founder Age at First Company’s Founding
90% Men
10% Women
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
64% attended a private high school
36% attended a public high school
.
Three local universities are responsible for graduating a large number of these
tech founders.
17%
American University of Cairo
16%
Ain Shams University
Cairo University
9%
32% of Cairo tech companies have at least one founder
who attended one of these three universities.
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
.
The growth of Cairo’s tech sector has been quite fast.
Number of Cairo
Tech Companies
400
35% Compound
Annual Growth
Rate
300
200
100
0
2010
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
2011
2012
2013
2014
.
The connections between companies have grown alongside the the sector.
430
400
Number of Connections
351
300
33% Compound
Annual Growth
Rate
260
187
200
136
100
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
14
20
20
13
20
12
11
20
20
10
0
.
This growth has included all five connection types.
Number of Connections
among Cairo Tech Firms
430
400
27%
Number of Connections
351
300
260
24%
33% Compound
Annual Growth
Rate
187
200
136
29%
100
15%
5%
Investment
Mentorship
Inspiration
Former employee
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
14
20
20
13
20
12
11
20
20
10
0
Serial entrepreneurship
.
The growth of inter-company connections in Cairo has mirrored that of New York,
the world’s fastest-growing urban tech sector.
NYC — Connections Growth
Cairo — Connections Growth
430
2,070
2,000
400
260
24%
187
200
136
29%
Number of connections
Number of connections
300
1,813
27%
351
16%
1,503
1,500
21%
1,070
15%
1,000
6%
719
500
100
42%
15%
5%
Mentorship
Inspiration
Former employee
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
13
20
20
12
10
20
11
20
Investment
20
09
0
20
14
13
20
20
12
20
11
20
10
0
Serial entrepreneurship
.
Nevertheless, Cairo seems to lack angel investment — entrepreneurs aren’t really
investing in each other’s success.
Cairo — Connections Growth
NYC — Connections Growth
430
2,070
400
2,000
1,813
300
Number of Connections
260
187
200
136
100
1,503
1,500
1,070
1,000
719
500
20
13
12
20
11
20
20
14
13
20
20
12
20
11
20
10
0
20
10
5%
0
42%
20
09
Number of Connections
351
Investment is an area in which Cairo’s tech sector lags behind. While the ecosystem of each
city grew at a similarly high rate over the course of a five-year period, the amount of angel
investment in Cairo barely grew at all.
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
.
Cairo’s tech sector lacks venture capital investment just as much as it lacks
angel investment.
Cairo:
NYC:
companies received
investment from a VC.
companies received
investment from a VC.
1 in 10
$$$$$$$$$$
>5
in 10
$$$$$$$$$$
Note: Includes only companies connected into the local tech network in both Cairo and NYC
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
.
Cairo tech founders also cited a number of factors as major or severe obstacles
to running their businesses:
60%
50%
50%
40%
cited political instability.
cited the lack of availability of top managers.
cited the lack of availability of top scientists
and engineers.
cited corruption.
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
.
There have been very few major successes in Cairo. As a matter of fact, only
three companies have managed to make a significant impact.
• Employs more than
1500 people.
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
• Sold to Intel in 2011.
• Has expanded
throughout the world.
.
However, the founders of these firms have been very active when it comes to
supporting their fellow entrepreneurs.
• Employs more than
1500 people.
• Sold to Intel in 2011.
• Has expanded
throughout the world.
• Directly connected
to 22 companies.
• Directly connected
to 23 companies.
• Directly connected
to 48 companies.
Nearly two-thirds of companies in the network
are connected, either directly or indirectly, to one of
Cairo’s three most influential companies.
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
.
Former employees leaving to create new spinout companies are another
strength of the Cairo tech sector.
Nearly 30% of companies in the network were founded
by former employees of other Cairo tech firms.
Sixteen companies in the network were founded by
former employees of multiple other companies.
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
.
The vast majority of founders ranked the factors below as either no obstacle or
minor obstacles to running their businesses:
80%
cited access to legal or tax services.
75%
cited licensing procedures and business and
labor regulations.
75%
cited access to high-quality incubators and
accelerators.
70%
cited access to customers.
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
.
Today, the Cairo tech ecosystem employs thousands.
20,000
Number of Jobs
15,000
10,000
5,000
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
20
20
19
20
18
20
17
20
16
20
15
20
20
14
0
.
If the Cairo tech sector continues to create high-quality, high-paying jobs at its
current rate, it will go on to employ thousands more within the next six years.
Projected Employment if Current
Growth Rate is Sustained
20,000
31% Compound
Annual Growth
Rate
Number of Jobs
15,000
10,000
5,000
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
20
20
19
20
18
20
17
20
16
20
15
20
20
14
0
.
Thank You!
You can find this presentation and a set of interactive
network maps at www.cairotechmap.com.
BOONMARKS
COLORS
EMOKHALFA
Cairo Tech Sector
Network Map
BRAINGIZER
SPREADO
SIMPLATIVE
THEUPTI.ME
DAKATRA
XPOZ
GO
EJAZA
EGYDRIOD
KOTOBI.COM
ENNOTA.COM
E3LNLY.COM
SPYROS
GAMES
GETSIRCLES
ALSHA3BYORED.COM
INTHEKLOUD
BOXIMIZE
SOUTAK
SUPERNEUR
JIDARI
LOCNAME
SHARE
MY
RIDE
OVERC
STUDIOS
7ELME
BUS
POOLING
(c. 2014)
CLICK
SOLUTIONS
BYAA3
STORES
ESHTERY
WASEL
DAMLAG
GIOVENTY
GARAYD
QABILATV
BASHARSOFT
DESIGNOLOGY
CASTPACE
5D
FIFTH
DIMENSION
KAWKB
MASH
LTD
PUSHBOTS
EKSHEF
OFFERNA
SYSTEX
20
USES
EMPTY
STUDIOS
BOXOIT
ONECARD
GAWB
ASGATECH
AKHBARAK.NET
LINUX-PLUS
INFORMATION
SYSTEMS
WASALNY
SIMPLEX
UNIQUE
SOLUTIONS
FOR
SERVICES
AND
SUPPLIES
SAE
BOOKS
GYROLABS
LINKDOTNET
NSYS
COMPANY
EGYPTNETWORK
UCROWD
ARABHARDWARE.COM
CULTARK
ESEED
NETWORK
DYNAMICS
ANACAD
EGYPT
SI-WARE
SUPERMAMA
19911998
PROSYLAB
CONNECTMETV
19992006
MASRAWY
CARTOON
HERO
SOUQELHAKIM.COM
TAWSEELA
AIM
LASILKA
ZAD
SOLUTIONS
BRANDCOW
THINK
EGY
VICTORY
LINK
FACES
STUDIOS
ARABIZE
KAR
TAG
CIRCLETIE
NETCELERA
ASSET
TECHNOLOGY
GROUP
EL7A2
MOSTAQQEL
APPS
UMBRELLA
COMMUNICATION
ESYNOD
XCEED
EXTREME
SOLUTION
CENTRIVISION
SUMERGE
CORE
BPO
EGYCLOUD
TELECOSYS
SAFARI
STUDIO
IT-BLOCKS
INFORMATIQUE
DIGITAL
REPUBLIC
IQRAALY
KASHEF
LABS
INSPIRATION
ALZWAD
EGYPTHOME
IT
OTLOB
25TRENDS
CAMELCASE
SAYDALEE
BRIGHT
ORB
CREATIONS
DEVELOPMENT
TECHNOWIRELESS
EMERGE
TECHNOLOGY
FUSTANY
FORMER EMPLOYEES
NILECODE
E-MASARY
TENNRA
WARSHETY
REVIEWZAT.COM
GCSSD
SYSDSOFT
F
CENTIONE
TECHEGY
EQUINOX
GRAPHICS
ENTERTECH
ZEX
CEQUENS
ITWORX
PROMISE
TIMELINE
INTERACTIVE
DASHSOFT
EGYPTIAN
STREETS
DAWAYA.COM
CLOUD
NINERS
LTD
ESRI
NORTHEAST
AFRICA
MIPEX
FOUNDER
20122014
HASHAPPS
SILVERKEY
TECHNOLOGIES
ABLAABLA.COM
INSTABUG
INVESTMENT
20072011
ABDOUZBAZAAR.COM
EDUKITTEN
MENTORSHIP
COTERIQUE
CAIRO
ZOOM
INTOUCH
ASSERAG
KNOWLEDGE
SYSTEMS
EGYNILE
GENU
Legend:
SOCIAL
FRUITS
MAZIKA.COM
LINK
EGYPT
IPHONE
ISLAM
SACHABOOKS
RESTART
TECHNOLOGY
ENOVA
MEGA
MEDIA
INTERACT
SPACEGENE
FRIEN 0
BUSINESS
SENSE
TRUSTIOUS
EBRANDING3 0
VISION
SOLUTIONS
SARMADY
RAYE7
SMALL
WORLD
INTERACTIVE
IPMAGIX
EGTNS
NAFHAM
BUYANDEARN.COM
WRITEIT
OPENCRAFT
RAYA
CORP
SLICKR
3 0DALEEL
CAIRO
SOURCE
WIRELESS
DYNAMICS
EL
MASRY
EL
YOUM
SILMINDS
SIMPLEIA
APRCOT
DARE N DEA
L
CODLY
NRG
SOLUTIONS
MAKTABAK
DOT
NET
XONEBEE
UNPLUGGED
ZOBOON
TA
TELECOM
MEDIAN
TECH
OTEENA
RAZY
TECHNOLOGIES
KHAYAL
INTERACTIVE
FOOTA
TAB3.TV
SCOOP
EMPIRE
GAMES
BOND
DOMINOS
MEDIA
ZAMAYEL
ASKNATIVE
EDFA3LY
WEFTID
INTEGREIGHT
CIRQY
CODESCALERS
NABDA
CARE
KIJAMII
EVENTTUS
ARKAB
EH
ENGEZNI
MRRHA
AQARMAP.COM
RAWA7
RAYA
SOCIAL
MEDIA
ZAAGEL
DSQUARES
TRYVIN
MUBASHER
INFO
ELWAFEYAT
DIGITREE
2TRAVEL2EGYPT
PIERIDE
NOFOOS
FI-ME
ELMENUS
TASKTY
SWIPE
N
TAP
SOFTLOCK
BEY2OLLAK
GOSOS
SOLVERMINE
IPNEO
THE
PLANET
QUAD-S
2M
DOT
NET
LOGIC
DESIGNS
3AYEZANGA7.COM
IMIDOS
DISALATA.COM
ZA7MAA
SNAPZE
CODELAB
YADGET
CAREERISE
YOUXEL
TECHNOLOGY
FROGCELL
ETQAN
TECH
TELLUS
EXPERTWAVE
CROWD
DYNAMIX
CITEX
SOFTWARE
JOBZELLA
BLUE
CLOUD
MADRASTAK
ERPIANS
T-DESIGN
RFID
IN
REGION
E7GEZONLINE
BEDOUN
KALAM
CODESTREAMZ
QHAT
INFRALAYER
EL7ESAB
KENRYS
INNOVITO
RAISIN
ET3ALEM.COM
MUBSER
NOST
EN2LY
JOY
PATTERNS
APPTHROUGH
L55S
ALERTIA
MOBILE
FARMINAL
MAPTURE
EPIC
MEDIA
HOUSE
CYBERKORA
QUANT
ROBOTS
FASEELA
HATEFNA
EL
MASNA3
VOOMATIC
FRITILL
INC.
QEYE
DRBRIDGE
MONKEYS
IN
SMARTECH
TUXEDOS FOR
TECHNOLOGICAL
IDT
SYSTEMS
CONSULTING ELCHEMIZE
SOLUTIONS
SYSTEMS
Source: Endeavor Insight analysis
Full map contains 295 companies and 430 connections: 115 serial entrepreneurship;
102 former employees; 64 inspiration; 21 investment; 128 mentorship
VEE
NETWORKS
RAWY
ENGEZ
Year
Founded