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.
Ladies Startups League (LSL) is Egypt's first female-focused startup incubator — a two-staged programme empowering women entrepreneurs from idea to venture. Co-created with the U.S. Embassy, Oxfam, and the British Council, LSL delivered 5 cycles from 2018–2022, producing 440+ female entrepreneur alumni across 14 governorates. A new cycle is now in preparation.
In 2022, the LSL Network partnered with AfriLabs to expand across Africa, reaching 200+ additional female entrepreneurs on the continent.
Questions? projects@icealex.com
LSL is open to women-led startups and female entrepreneurs at any stage — idea, early-traction, or growth. Applicants should be based in Egypt, though we welcome applicants from across the MENA and African regions.
Yes. The Ladies Startups League is fully funded. Participants receive training, mentorship, and access to the icealex network at no cost. Certain cohorts also include a stipend for project development.
The core program runs for approximately 3 months, combining weekly workshops, one-on-one mentoring sessions, and a final demo day. Graduates are invited to join the ongoing LSL Network alumni community.
Most sessions are held in Alexandria, but we run hybrid formats to accommodate participants from Cairo and other Egyptian cities. International participants may join specific cohorts designed for regional reach.
Graduates join the LSL Network — a community of 700+ women entrepreneurs with ongoing access to events, partnerships, investor introductions, and collaboration opportunities. Top performers may be fast-tracked for further icealex programs including Startups of Africa.