Alexandria · Africa · Mediterranean · Since 2011

icealex

Catalyzing Innovation · Empowering Entrepreneurs · Building the Future

Since 2011 we've supported 1,750+ startups and impacted 25,000+ youth across 14 countries.

1,750+
Startups supported
2,800+
Entrepreneurs trained
2,350+
Jobs created
25,000+
Youth impacted
14
Countries
13+
Years of impact
Our programs

Build your future with icealex

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Open now
🚀
Startup Incubation

Startups of Africa

icealex's flagship startup incubator. Born as Startups of Alex in 2017 — Alexandria's first-ever incubator — and rebranded in 2026 to Startups of Africa as the programme scales continentally across the Mediterranean and sub-Saharan Africa.

⏱ 6 months 📍 Alexandria, Egypt · Continental Deadline 30 Apr 2026 — 11 days left! 2026 Continental Cycle
New cycle — opening soon
👩‍💼
Female Entrepreneurship

Ladies Startups League

The first female-focused startup incubator in Egypt — 440+ women graduates, 500+ jobs created, with a pan-African network now reaching 200+ additional female entrepreneurs.

⏱ 6 months 📍 Alexandria & Egypt New Cycle — Coming Soon
Upcoming
🏙️
City Innovation Hackathon

Egypt Cities Hackathon (ECH)

A city-based challenge model that connects local problem-solving with startup thinking, mentorship, and entrepreneurial support — run in two regional streams: Delta Cities and Upper Egypt Cities.

⏱ Event weekend + follow-on incubation 📍 Delta & Upper Egypt (multi-city) 2026 Edition
Upcoming
♻️
Innovation Award

Sustainability Innovation Award (SIA)

A platform for innovators and founders working on sustainability, circularity, and impact-oriented business ideas — positioning entrepreneurship as a route to environmental and social problem-solving.

⏱ Annual cycle 📍 Alexandria, Egypt 2026 Edition
Open now
🧵
Creative & Craft Industries

Craft Makers

icealex's own-born craft sector programme. Builds on the Craft Pioneers legacy (110+ MSMEs supported, 2018–2019) and expands into a continuous programme for Egyptian craft makers across fashion, textiles, leather, jewellery, furniture, and woodwork.

⏱ 6 months 📍 Alexandria, Egypt 2026 Cohort
Past
💻
Tech Incubation

iceTech

Incubation track for technology founders, delivered in partnership with the U.S. Consulate General in Alexandria — hands-on mentorship, business support, and investor pathways for tech-based startups.

⏱ 5 months 📍 Alexandria, Egypt 2022–2024
Past
🎨
Creative Industries

DICE Incubator

Comprehensive multi-stage programme for social and creative enterprises — 100+ entrepreneurs supported in partnership with British Council.

⏱ 6 months 📍 Alexandria, Egypt 2021
Past
🌐
International / SDGs

Safir Incubator

EU-backed international incubation initiative supporting SDG-driven entrepreneurs in MENA — 49 entrepreneurs, 95K€ in grants, partners: European Union & Institut Français.

⏱ 12 months 📍 Alexandria, Egypt & MENA 2021–2022
Past
👩‍💼
Female Entrepreneurship

Heya Raeda

Entrepreneurship programme supporting female entrepreneurs in the ICT sector — tools, mentorship, and funding access. 15+ cohorts delivered with TIEC / Ministry of ICT.

⏱ Multiple cohorts 📍 Egypt 2020 & 2023
Past
🏙️
Smart Cities / Urban Innovation

Smart Cities Startups Hub (SCSH)

Digital innovation hub supporting startups and SMEs in the smart-city sector — 5 strategic objectives to accelerate urban innovation. Partner: GIZ.

⏱ Ongoing cohorts (2023-2024) 📍 Egypt Since 2023
Past
🌱
Green Economy

SwitchMed Down the Nile

Green & blue entrepreneurship programme — organic food, water treatment, renewable energy, recycling. 6 green startups accelerated. Partners: EU, Medwaves, CEDARE, Ministry of Environment.

⏱ Single cohort 📍 Egypt (Nile corridor) 2023
New · Impact Framework

Measure what
actually matters.

The icealex Impact Diagnostic is a structured framework that evaluates ventures across five evidence-based dimensions — giving founders a clear picture of their readiness and real-world impact potential.

1Founder Readiness & Team Strength
2Social & Economic Value Creation
3Scale & Replication Potential
4Ecosystem Contribution
5Long-term Sustainability
Explore the Framework → Apply Now
Impact Score
78
out of 100
● Impact66–85 pts
Scale86–100 pts
Growth41–65 pts
Foundation0–40 pts
Founder Readiness82%
Social & Economic Value76%
Scale Potential70%
Ecosystem Contribution80%
Long-term Sustainability75%
What we stand for

Our Values. Three pillars.

Since 2011 we have been building Alexandria's entrepreneurship ecosystem on three core pillars.

💡
Innovation

We create environments where bold ideas can be tested, refined, and scaled — with support from mentors and tools that matter.

🤝
Collaboration

We bring together founders, academics, institutions, and communities to work across disciplines and break silos.

🚀
Entrepreneurship

We turn passion into practice — providing the frameworks, networks, and resources to build ventures that create real value.

Strategic pillars

Five pillars. One ecosystem.

See our full story →
🌐
Ecosystem Development

Building entrepreneurship infrastructure across Alexandria, Cairo, and Africa.

🚀
Venture Launchpad

Incubation and acceleration programmes that take founders from idea to market.

🏢
Hubs & ESOs Development

Supporting innovation hubs and entrepreneurship-support organisations.

🔬
Innovation Research & Consulting

Consulting and applied knowledge for the public and private sector.

Innovation Ignition

Hackathons, challenges, and events that spark new energy and community.

Signature events

Where the community comes together

All events →
Egypt Cities Hackathon
Delta + Upper Egypt streams
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Sustainability Innovation Award
Annual award
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FBA 2026 Exhibition
22 Apr · Alexandria
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Techne Summit Mentorship Lounge
Annual · Techne Summit
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Peace Hack MENA
Regional hackathon
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Events

Events

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25
APR
In Person
Innovation Workshop: AI for Social Impact
📍 icealex Hub, Alexandria
28
AUG
In Person
FBA 2026 — Demo Day
📍 Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria
About icealex

Catalyzing Innovation Across Africa & the Mediterranean

Founded in 2011 in Alexandria, icealex is a community-driven innovation hub and consultancy empowering entrepreneurs, startups, and creatives across Egypt, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Active member of AfriLabs — a pan-African network of 250+ innovation hubs.

Learn more Our impact →
13+
Years of impact
Founded in Alexandria, 2011
25,000+
Youth impacted
Across all programmes
200+
Startups accelerated
12 incubation programmes
14
Countries
Global reach

Trusted by leading institutions

Partners and funders who shaped icealex's journey

Bibliotheca Alexandrina Bibliotheca Alexandrina U.S. Embassy Cairo U.S. Embassy Cairo U.S. Consulate General Alexandria U.S. Consulate General Alexandria Oxfam Oxfam British Council British Council European Commission European Commission AfriLabs AfriLabs GIZ GIZ TIEC / ITIDA TIEC / ITIDA Université Senghor Université Senghor
Stay Connected

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News, events and announcements straight from our community on Facebook.

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What founders say

"icealex gave me the tools and network that turned my idea into a real company."

— Founder, Startups of Africa cohort

"LSL was a turning point in my career. Not just a program — a community of ambitious women."

— Founder, Ladies Startups League Cycle 3

"Demo Day was the most important day of my professional life. I met my first investor at icealex."

— Founder, FBA cohort
Read more stories →
Ready to build?

Ready to join the community?

Applications are open. Join 970+ innovators, founders, and entrepreneurs building in Alexandria.

Apply to a Program

Applications via app.icealex.com

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