Accelerator Program
The accelerator program runs in 2 cohorts per year where each extends over a time span of 3-5 months to enable startups to have access to information, network and obtain the hard and soft skills to re-design citizen journeys, prototype their offered solutions and test them to potentially integrate their services with those of the government and offer citizens a customized experience.
Accelerator Program
The accelerator program runs in 2 cohorts per year where each extends over a time span of 3-5 months to enable startups to have access to information, network and obtain the hard and soft skills to re-design citizen journeys, prototype their offered solutions and test them to potentially integrate their services with those of the government and offer citizens a customized experience.
Qualification
& Design Phases
Startups get access to extensive training programs, coaching, mentorship and networking opportunities. They also get to explore and co-design a vast range of citizen journeys with citizens, government authorities and private sector including local and multinational companies to develop creative solutions and applications.
Expert Mentorship
& Training Sessions
01
Human-Centered Design
Zero360 lays the foundation of human-centered design concepts. Their bootcamp includes Citizen-Centered Design, Systems Thinking, Behavioral Design, and Design Thinking methodologies.
02
Product Design
Robusta guides startups through every stage of their product design process. From ideation to launching their prototype, the startups will be offered months of one-one-one mentorship and training sessions to understand their users, refine their value proposition, and craft the user experience and interface for their product.
03
Business Support
Flat6Labs supports the program’s design & implementation, startup scouting, and provides business coaching and mentorship for the GovTech startups on board.
04
Development Support
WeCodeForYou avails a pool of developers to startups which need support to build and test their MVPs. Startups’ needs will be identified during the selection process.
05
Tech Enablement
Tech enablers provide startups with access to their latest technologies and applications together with their upskilling and mentorship programs to develop better products/services.
Access to
Government
01
Accessible Data
MCIT will provide the startups with the necessary information concerning all government platforms including services provided, platforms’ design, and data sets (categories). The Government as a Platform concept simplifies and eases up the citizen engagement with various government agencies to receive the service.
02
APIs Sandbox
The startups will have the luxury to test and interact with an APIs sandbox environment to learn about the APIs, experiment with different calls, identify and fix any issues to iterate their MVPs.
03
Open Collaboration
All government agencies are connected and interoperable, which reflects on the overall citizen experience and practice. The startups will enjoy the privilege of communicating with various government agencies as one body, without facing challenges to integrate with those entities.
Expert Mentorship & Training Sessions
01
Human-Centered Design
Zero360 lays the foundation of human-centered design concepts. Their bootcamp includes Citizen-Centered Design, Systems Thinking, Behavioral Design, and Design Thinking methodologies.
02
Product Design
Robusta guides startups through every stage of their product design process. From ideation to launching their prototype, the startups will be offered months of one-one-one mentorship and training sessions to understand their users, refine their value proposition, and craft the user experience and interface for their product.
03
Business Support
Flat6Labs supports the program’s design & implementation, startup scouting, and provides business coaching and mentorship for the GovTech startups on board.
04
Development Support
WeCodeForYou avails a pool of developers to startups which need support to build and test their MVPs. Startups’ needs will be identified during the selection process.
05
Tech Enablement
Tech enablers provide startups with access to their latest technologies and applications together with their upskilling and mentorship programs to develop better products/services.
Access to Government
01
Accessible Data
MCIT will provide the startups with the necessary information concerning all government platforms including services provided, platforms’ design, and data sets (categories). The Government as a Platform concept simplifies and eases up the citizen engagement with various government agencies to receive the service.
02
APIs Sandbox
The startups will have the luxury to test and interact with an APIs sandbox environment to learn about the APIs, experiment with different calls, identify and fix any issues to iterate their MVPs.
03
Open Collaboration
All government agencies are connected and interoperable, which reflects on the overall citizen experience and practice. The startups will enjoy the privilege of communicating with various government agencies as one body, without facing challenges to integrate with those entities.
Startups whose solutions prove their viability, feasibility and desirability will get the chance to move to the apps phase.
Apps Phase
Apps Phase
Selected startups will develop the mini-apps ready to be deployed in a superapp environment.
DATA Phase
Data Phase
The data generated by the GovTech applications is expected to create analytics, insights & data- driven recommendations for policy & decision makers.
Community Building
+ Post-Support Program
The GovTech Innovation Lab is eager to offer startups a strong sense of community with the government, private sector, academia, and civil society by implementing various networking activities to keep the momentum during the cohort as well as during the post-support program.
The GovTech Innovation Lab is eager to offer startups a strong sense of community with the government, private sector, academia, and civil society by implementing various networking activities to keep the momentum during the cohort as well as during the post-support program.
The 6-month-post-support program aims to help startups overcome challenges, and achieve long-term success, thus it includes:
The 6-month-post-support program aims to help startups overcome challenges, and achieve long-term success, thus it includes:
- Mentorship and Coaching
- Networking Opportunities
- Access to Workshops and Events
- Alumni Community
- Potential Partnership Opportunities
If you'd like to apply, check out the below selection process:
Startups fill in the application form below on the GovTech Innovation Lab platform and mention the life event they are planning to tackle during the program.
A team of experts, from MCIT, ITIDA, TIEC, GIZ, Tech Enablers, and other local service providers, review the applications and select 50 applications eligible to move to the interviewing phase.
The interviews evaluate the startup's team, product/service, market opportunity, business model, and growth potential and their suitability to join the program, shortlisting a total of 20 applications.
A 2-day selection bootcamp is designed for the 20 shortlisted startups to refine their pitch, strengthen their business model, and enhance their overall presentation to stand out among the competition and increase their chances of securing acceptance into the program. The final 10-12 startups joining the program are then identified during the bootcamp.
Startups fill in the application form below on the GovTech Innovation Lab platform and mention the life event they are planning to tackle during the program.
A team of experts, from MCIT, ITIDA, TIEC, GIZ, Tech Enablers, and other local service providers, review the applications and select 50 applications eligible to move to the interviewing phase.
The interviews evaluate the startup's team, product/service, market opportunity, business model, and growth potential and their suitability to join the program, shortlisting a total of 20 applications.
A 2-day selection bootcamp is designed for the 20 shortlisted startups to refine their pitch, strengthen their business model, and enhance their overall presentation to stand out among the competition and increase their chances of securing acceptance into the program. The final 10-12 startups joining the program are then identified during the bootcamp.
Selection Criteria for MVP and Growth Stage Startups
Prerequisites:
- The startup model can be adjusted or tweaked to tackle societal challenges, ultimately better meeting the needs of citizens
- Startup has an innovative solution using their services or products
- At least one Co-Founder and relevant team members are fulltime committed to their business and the program
- Strong balanced team with relevant experience in covering the full core functions of the business
- Solution must be reliable and able to adopt high-security standards and data protection to interface with government platforms
- For Growth Startups: demonstrated track record and achievement of product-market fit
Additional Points:
- The startup solves needs of marginalized groups (e.g. People with disabilities)
- The startup could be using AI in their solutions
MVP Stage Criteria
Evaluation Criteria:
1. MVP Readiness (40 points):
- Quality and functionality of the MVP.
- Market validation data (Testing, early adopters' feedback).
- Development Roadmap.
2. Value Fulfillment (15 points):
- Clear value proposition to a target public segment.
- Innovative service model addressing the challenge with a clear solution fit.
3. Robust Business Model (15 points):
- Clear monetization strategy integrable with government services.
- High growth potential.
- Stimulated and sustainable demand.
4. Competent Balanced Team (30 points):
- Existence of both technical and business skills in the team.
- Founders' profile demonstrates commitment to completing the program.
- Team has a clear vision on their work with the government.
- Diversity of team members
Disqualification Points:
- No legal entity
- Startup HQ is not based in Egypt
- The proposed app is not related to life-event scenario or a specific Persona
- No working MVP
- Founding team less than 2
Growth Stage Criteria
Evaluation Criteria:
1. Product Quality and Integration (30 points):
- Number of users/downloads and user rating.
- UX Quality.
- Plan for integrating new features for deployment/integration in the Digital Egypt platform.
2. Value Fulfillment (20 points):
- Clear value proposition to a target public segment.
- Innovative service model addressing the challenge with a clear solution-fit.
3. Robust Business Model (20 points):
- Clear monetization strategy integrable with government services.
- High growth potential.
4. Startup Organizational Structure (15 points):
- Clear departmental specialized functions.
- Maturity in the product development process.
5. Startup Technology Capability (15 points):
- Experienced technology teams to guarantee smooth integration.
Disqualification Points:
- Startup HQ is not based in Egypt
- The proposed app is not related to life-event scenario or a specific Persona
- No product validation in the market or no customer base (validated through revenue generation)
- No secured funding stages