● Programmes & Initiatives

12 Programmes.
One Mission.

From early-stage incubation to international acceleration

Since 2017, ICEALEX has built and delivered 12 incubation and acceleration programmes — each designed for a specific sector, audience, and impact goal. From the first female-focused incubator in Egypt to EU-backed international programmes, every initiative is built to create lasting, measurable change.

12
Incubation & Acceleration Programmes
1,800+
Entrepreneurs Trained
1,460+
Jobs Created
14
Countries of Operation
● Flagship Programme · Since 2017

Startups of Alex (SoA)

The first startup incubator in Alexandria — serving the greater Alexandria and Delta region. Sector-agnostic and focused on early-stage, impact-driven entrepreneurs, SoA provides structured incubation, mentorship, market access, and investor readiness support.

Built with the Academy of Scientific Research and Oxfam, SoA has grown into a cornerstone of the Alexandria entrepreneurship ecosystem — producing 350+ alumni entrepreneurs and over 960 new jobs.

📍 Alexandria, Egypt 🚀 350+ Entrepreneurs 💼 960+ Jobs Created
Apply to SoA → Get in Touch
Startups of Alex incubation programme

Startups of Alex — ICEALEX's flagship incubator since 2017, Alexandria & Delta region

Focus area All Programmes Startup Incubation Female Entrepreneurship Creative Industries Green Economy ICT & Innovation International
Ladies Startups League Female Entrepreneurship

Ladies Startups League

The first female-focused startup incubator in Egypt. A two-staged programme empowering women to develop ideas into successful ventures — with 440+ women alumni and 500+ jobs created. Partners: US Embassy, Oxfam, British Council.

2018–2022 Learn More →
Heya Raeda Female Entrepreneurship

Heya Raeda

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

2020 & 2023 Learn More →
DICE Incubator Creative Industries

DICE Incubator

A comprehensive multi-stage programme for early-stage social and creative enterprises — with special focus on impact-driven entrepreneurs. 100+ entrepreneurs supported. Delivered with British Council.

2021 Learn More →
Craft Pioneers Creative Industries

Craft Pioneers

Sector-specific programme supporting Egyptian MSMEs in fashion, textiles, leather, jewellery, furniture, and woodwork. 110+ startups supported. Partners: US Embassy, PSME, GIZ.

2018–2019 Learn More →
Smart Cities Startups Hub Green Economy

Smart Cities Startups Hub

A digital innovation hub providing sustainable support for startups and SMEs in the smart city sector — delivering on 5 key objectives to accelerate urban innovation. Partner: GIZ.

Since 2023 Learn More →
Switchmed Down the Nile Green Economy

Switchmed Down the Nile

Supporting sustainable economy and green/blue entrepreneurship — organic food, water treatment, renewable energy, and recycling. 6 green startups accelerated. Partners: EU, Medwaves, CEDARE, Ministry of Environment.

2023 Learn More →
iceTech ICT & Innovation

iceTech

Incubation track for tech founders offering full-fledged business support for technology-based startups to grow their ventures — from validation to market. Partner: U.S. Consulate General.

Ongoing Learn More →
Safir Incubator International

Safir Incubator

EU-backed international initiative supporting young entrepreneurs and promoting the Sustainable Development Goals in the MENA region. 49 entrepreneurs supported with 95K€ in grants. Partners: European Union, Institut Français.

2021–2022 Learn More →
Startups of Alex Startup Incubation

Startups of Alex (SoA)

The flagship incubator — ICEALEX's first and longest-running programme. Sector-agnostic, impact-focused, Alexandria & Delta region. 350+ entrepreneurs, 960+ jobs. Partners: Academy of Scientific Research, Oxfam.

Since 2017 · Flagship Apply →
🏛️
Beheira · Western Delta
Innovation Hub Development

Creativa Damanhour Hub

icealex's regional delivery hub in Beheira, operating within Egypt's national Creativa network under MCIT. 4 tracks — Entrepreneurship, Technology, Freelancing, Career Development — 5,700+ participants reached, 56.2% female participation. Partner: ITIDA / Creativa.

Active Hub View Hub →
Our Approach

How ICEALEX programmes work

Every ICEALEX programme is built around a consistent methodology — combining activation, support, visibility, and connection.

01

Activate

We design challenge-based, community-driven formats that bring people in — hackathons, showcases, forums, and awards that create energy, participation, and first-step momentum for founders and ideas.

02

Support

Participants connect with mentors, ecosystem partners, co-working space, and structured guidance. We help them move from activation to validation — from an idea on a page to a team with a path forward.

03

Connect

Through our network of institutional partners, regional platforms, and international affiliations, ICEALEX participants gain visibility and access beyond Alexandria — regionally, across Africa, and globally.

Programme Partners

Who we build with

ICEALEX programmes are co-designed and co-delivered with governments, multilaterals, development agencies, and civil society organisations across Africa and the Mediterranean.

European Commission

Funding partner for Safir Incubator and Switchmed Down the Nile — supporting SDG-driven entrepreneurship in MENA.

British Council

Programme partner for DICE Incubator and Ladies Startups League — supporting creative industries and female entrepreneurship.

GIZ

Development partner for Smart Cities Startups Hub and Craft Pioneers — connecting sustainability with enterprise support.

Oxfam

Key partner for Startups of Alex and Ladies Startups League — advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and women's economic empowerment.

U.S. Embassy Egypt

Programme partner across iceTech, Craft Pioneers, and Ladies Startups League — supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Egypt.

TIEC / Ministry of ICT

Government partner for Heya Raeda — backing female entrepreneurship in Egypt's tech and ICT sectors.

Institut Français

Cultural and institutional partner for the Safir Incubator — co-delivering SDG-focused incubation in the MENA region.

Academy of Scientific Research

Academic and institutional partner for Startups of Alex — connecting research and entrepreneurship in Alexandria.

Get Involved

Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to join a programme, an organisation looking to partner, or an institution looking to co-create — we want to hear from you.

Apply to a Programme View Events Partner with Us