13 years of impact

We measure our impact by the founders we've built with

Since 2011, we've supported 1,750+ startups, trained 2,800+ entrepreneurs, and impacted 25,000+ youth across 14 countries.

14
countries reached
global presence
12
incubation programs
since 2017
200+
startups accelerated
85+ incubation cycles
2,800+
entrepreneurs trained
2,150+ training sessions
90%
participant satisfaction
60% female-led startups
25,000+
youth impacted
2,350+ jobs created
The complete picture

Nine more metrics that shape our story

13+
years of innovation
since 2011
1,750+
startups supported
all programs
30+
active mentors
mentorship network
14+
institutional partners
local & international
$5M+
funding facilitated
cumulative estimate
60%
female-led ventures
across portfolio
45K+
Facebook followers
digital community
80+
events hosted
hackathons · Demo Days · forums
15+
international appearances
SEWF · AfriLabs · re:publica · ASEB
The impact story

What we've built together

icealex was founded in 2011 in Alexandria with a clear mission: Egypt's historic second city deserves a world-class innovation ecosystem. We started by establishing Alexandria's first FabLab, then built structured incubation and acceleration programs supporting startups from idea to market.

We launched Startups of Alex as Alexandria's first startup incubator (350+ founders, 960+ jobs created), then Ladies Startups League as Egypt's first female-focused incubator (440+ female entrepreneurs). In partnership with the U.S. Consulate General, we built iceTech for tech startups. Our annual Future Belongs to Africa forum — in partnership with Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Université Senghor, and UNDP — has become a landmark continental event.

Our founder sits on the AfriLabs board of directors, and icealex is recognized by the UN Global Compact as one of 100 startups committed to the SDGs. Our real impact: 1,750+ startups supported, 2,800+ entrepreneurs trained, 2,350+ jobs created, and 25,000+ youth impacted across 14 countries.

Our programs

Programs track record

🚀
Startups of Africa
Flagship incubator (formerly Startups of Alex)
9 SoA cycles · Continental 2026
100+ graduates graduates
Open
👩‍💼
Ladies Startups League
Egypt's first female-focused incubator
5 cycles
440+ graduates graduates
Coming-soon
🏙️
Egypt Cities Hackathon (ECH)
City innovation hackathon
Two streams: Delta & Upper Egypt
Upcoming
♻️
Sustainability Innovation Award (SIA)
Sustainability recognition platform
Annual edition
Upcoming
🧵
Craft Makers
Craft & creative industries
2026 cohort
110+ legacy from Craft Pioneers graduates
Open
💻
iceTech
Tech track — U.S. Consulate partnership
2022-2024
Past
🎨
DICE Incubator
Creative & social enterprise
2021
100+ graduates graduates
Past
🌐
Safir Incubator
EU-backed MENA initiative
2021-2022
49 entrepreneurs graduates
Past
👩‍💼
Heya Raeda
Female ICT entrepreneurship (TIEC)
15+ cohorts
Past
🏙️
Smart Cities Startups Hub (SCSH)
Smart-cities innovation — GIZ partnership
2023-2024
Past
🌱
SwitchMed Down the Nile
Green & blue economy (EU)
2023
6 green startups graduates
Past
Community

More than just programs

Behind every program, there is a living community of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and organizations. We've built the strongest entrepreneurship network in Alexandria.

👥
45K+
Facebook followers
🤝
30+
active mentors
🏢
14+
institutional partners
🌍
4
countries with presence

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

— Founder — SOA cohort

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

— Founder — LSL Cycle 3

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

— Founder — FBA cohort
The impact journey

Milestones along the way

2011
Founded
icealex launches · Alexandria's first FabLab
2014
iceHubs Global
UK CIC entity incorporated
2017
Startups of Alex
Alexandria's first startup incubator · Contributed to Egypt's SME law
2018
LSL launches
Egypt's first female incubator · Craft Pioneers begins
2021
Superstar Impact Business
Award · Partnership with Federation of Egyptian Industries
2022
LSL Network × AfriLabs
Continental reach · First Beyond the Impact Showcase
2023
UN Global Compact
International recognition · ASEB
2024
Ecosystem Builder of the Year
ASEB award · FBA with Bibliotheca Alexandrina & Senghor
2025
ECH + SIA
Egypt Cities Hackathon · Sustainability Innovation Award
2026
Startups of Africa
Continental expansion · Craft Makers · FBA 2026
Affiliations & networks

Part of leading global networks

AfriLabs
Board member · 300+ hubs
GIST Network
U.S. innovation network
Global Innovation Gathering
Global community
Digital Africa
AFD initiative
UN Global Compact
100 SDG startups
Fab Foundation
FabLab network
EJB
Egyptian Junior Businessmen
Alex Angels
Alexandria angel network
MED UP!
Mediterranean cooperation
NISE
National Innovation & Social Ecosystem
Cluster4Green
Green economy cluster
Université Senghor
Academic partner
DETGD
Development partner
Geographical reach

Our impact reaches beyond Alexandria

🇪🇬
Alexandria
All programs · HQ
🇪🇬
Cairo
National programs · Partnerships
🇪🇹
Addis Ababa
AfriLabs network
🇩🇪
Weimar
European bridge

Be part of the impact story

Join upcoming programs and build your venture with the icealex community.