Programme

8:00–9:00 AM · 60 min

Grand Opening

Guests, delegates, and dignitaries arrive.

9:00–9:05 AM · 5 min

Welcome Address

Baher Mounir Ghabbour, Chairman, Global Entrepreneurship Festival – Egypt and Chairman of Sakkara Travel Group

9:05–9:15 AM · 10 min

Grand Patron’s Address

Alhaji Aliko Dangote (GCON), GEF Grand Patron and President, Dangote Group

9:15–9:35 AM · 20 min

Keynote Conversation

Topic: Entrepreneurship for Shared Prosperity

Moderator: Lenah Hasaballah, Presenter & Host, “Kalam Business”

Speaker: Sir Mohamed Mansour, Chairman, Mansour Group

9:35–9:45 AM · 10 min

Keynote

Mohamed M. Abou El Enein, Member of the House of Representatives, Founder and Chairman of Cleopatra Group

9:45–9:55 AM · 10 min

Keynote Address

Topic: The World We Help to Create - A flagship address on social responsibility, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and human impact.

Prof. Sir Magdi Yacoub, OM, FRS, Founder, Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation

9:55–10:05 AM · 10 min

GEF President’s Event Brief

Topic: GEF 2026: Festival Highlights & What to Expect

Dr. Summy Smart Francis, President, Global Entrepreneurship Festival

10:10–10:50 AM · 40 min

Global Impact Panel

Topic: Beyond Success: Transforming Economies, Empowering Humanity and Building Lasting Legacies

Moderator: Ahmed Rashad, Founder of Business Belarabi platform and angel investor

Speakers: Amr Soliman, Founder & Chairman, Mountain View; Dr. Bahaa Salem, CEO, Al Salem Holding; Omar ElSahy, General Manager of Amazon Egypt; Hesham Mahran, CEO, Orange Egypt; Cyril Azobu, Partner, PwC; Mostafa Kandil, Founder & CEO, Swvl Holding Corp

11:15 AM–12:15 PM · 60 min

Prayer Break

12:15–12:55 PM · 40 min

Global Business Panel

Topic: The World We Help to Create: Building Global Enterprises and Shaping the Future of Economies

Moderator: Sherouk Wagdy, TV Presenter, Broadcast Journalist, Event Host & Moderator

Speakers: Mohamed Ehab, Co-Founder & CEO, Entlaq; Ayman Soliman, Founder & Managing Partner, Morpho Investments; Mohamed Abou Basha, Chairman of the Egyptian Junior Business Association; Amar Deep Singh Hari, Executive Chairman, IPMC Group; Susumu Tsubaki, CEO, Asia Africa Investment & Consulting; John Adedamola Alamu, Founder & Group Managing Director, CapitalSage Holdings

12:55–1:05 PM · 10 min

Goodwill Message

H.E. Edmond Moukala N’Gouemo, UNESCO Representative to Ghana & Head of UNESCO Office in Accra

Dr. Mohamed Abbas, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Consultant, Misr ElKheir Organization

1:05–1:10 PM · 5 min

Closing Remarks & Declaration

Transition to Official Launches at the Exhibition Zone

1:05–1:10 PM · 5 min

Business & Art Exhibition Official Launch & Ribbon-Cutting

Official declaration and opening of the GEF 2026 Business & Art Exhibition.

1:10–1:20 PM · 10 min

GEF MetaExpo Virtual Experience — Official Launch

Official unveiling and launch of the GEF MetaExpo Virtual Platform/Experience.

1:20–1:30 PM · 10 min

VIP Walkthrough, Press Parade, Authors Row Kick-off

Dignitaries walk through the exhibition, MetaExpo, and Authors’ Row, including media interviews and press coverage.

1:30–3:30 PM · 2 hrs

GEF Virtual Studio

Presenters: Efa Iwara; Barr. Emmanuella Daniel; Dr. Farida Mirzebalaeva (Fari Elysian)

Live Interviews & Global Leaders Engagement

1:00–9:00 PM · 8 hrs

Business Exhibition

General access for delegates; exhibitor showcases, business engagement, and networking continue until 9:00 PM.

3:00–3:10 PM · 10 min

Introduction & Welcome Address

Arrival & MC Welcome

3:10–3:20 PM · 10 min

Keynote 1

Topic: From Great Idea to Investable Business

Dr. Heba Zaki, Director of the Egypt Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (EEIC) at the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD)

3:20–4:00 PM · 40 min

Startup Clinic Panel 1

Topic: What Investors Really Look for Before They Invest

Moderator: Ahmed ElMorshed, Director of Private Wealth at Beltone Holding

Speakers: Ahmed Alfi, Founder & Managing Partner, Sawari Ventures & Flat6 Labs; Ayman Bazaraa, Founder & CEO, Sprints; Ali Haseeb (AliTheAlchemist), Founder, The Circle Syndicate; Ahmed Shaaban, CEO & Founder, Simplex

4:00–4:10 PM · 10 min

Keynote 2

Topic: Building Businesses That Solve Real Problems

Eng. Hossam Saleh, Chief Business Officer, UMS

4:10–4:50 PM · 40 min

Startup Clinic Panel 2

Topic: Getting the Fundamentals Right: Product, Market, Team & Traction

Moderator: Dr. Mohamed Fahmy, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Ivolution - AI by LOGIC

Speakers: Samer Khaled, Founder of Big Bite Marketing Agency; Ahmed Habib, Co-Founder of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO); Haytham El-Azaizy, Chief Financial Officer, Beyond Fit, Saudi Arabia; Dr. Amr Seda, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, The British University in Egypt; Ahmed Labib, Managing Director & CEO of Reefy – CI Capital’s Micro Finance Arm

4:50–5:30 PM · 40 min

Startup Clinic Panel 3

Topic: Building Bold: Women, Business & the Future

Moderator: Dr. Dalia El Mahmoudy, Managing Partner, Growthifypulse

Speakers: Jessy Radwan, Founder & CEO, Carerha; Nadia Gamal El Din, CEO at Rahet Bally; Dr. Chanita Foster, Founder, Rockstar Global Investments / Beyond The Game

5:30–6:00 PM · 30 min

Founder–Investor Networking & Connections

Founder–investor networking and connections.

3:00–3:10 PM · 10 min

Opening Brief & Investor Alignment

Welcome, introduction of participating investors and institutions, investment priorities, pitching structure, and expected Dealroom outcomes.

3:10–3:55 PM · 45 min

Investment Pitching — Session 1

Three structured 15-minute pitching rounds, connecting selected businesses and investment opportunities with relevant investors.

3:55–4:05 PM · 10 min

Refreshment & Networking Break

Investor networking, business engagement, and transition.

4:05–4:50 PM · 45 min

Investment Pitching — Session 2

Three additional 15-minute pitching rounds, including investor questions, initial assessment, and expressions of interest.

4:50–5:00 PM · 10 min

Refreshment & Rotation Break

Transition and preparation for the final pitching session.

5:00–5:45 PM · 45 min

Investment Pitching — Session 3

Final three 15-minute pitching rounds, with investors identifying businesses and opportunities for further engagement.

5:45–6:00 PM · 15 min

Investor–Business Matchmaking & Next Steps

Targeted follow-up conversations, expressions of interest, and identification of opportunities to advance to Day 2.

3:00–3:05 PM · 5 min

Opening Brief & Pitch Guidelines

Welcome, introduction of judges, pitching format, assessment criteria, timing, rules, and expected outcomes.

3:05–3:35 PM · 30 min

Pitch Session 1: 3 Sets (10 min each)

Selected startups pitch before the Screening Judges, followed by judges’ questions and assessment.

3:35–3:45 PM · 10 min

Networking / Refreshment Break

Short break and transition.

3:45–4:15 PM · 30 min

Pitch Session 2: 3 Sets (10 min each)

Second round of startup pitches, judges’ questions, and assessment.

4:15–4:25 PM · 10 min

Networking / Refreshment Break

Short break and transition.

4:25–4:55 PM · 30 min

Pitch Session 3: 3 Sets (10 min each)

Third round of startup pitches, judges’ questions, and assessment.

4:55–5:00 PM · 5 min

Judges’ Deliberation, Startup Networking, Daily Wrap-Up & Announcements

Judges consolidate assessments while founders connect and network.

4:00–5:00 PM · 60 min

Breakout Sessions

Networking session and GEF 2026 Online Amplification

6:00–6:15 PM · 15 min

Host Nation Address