EdVentures, the corporate venture capital arm of Nahdet Misr Group, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, hosted the Demo Day for Cohort 2 of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Egypt.
The event reflected the Fellowship’s expanding impact in scaling African-led, technology-enabled education solutions. These solutions are designed to expand access, strengthen inclusion, and deliver measurable learning outcomes at scale across diverse communities.
Eight Months of Equity-Free Acceleration
The Cohort 2 Demo Day marked the culmination of an intensive eight-month, equity-free acceleration program. During this period, 12 growth-stage startups developed and refined scalable, market-ready solutions addressing critical education challenges.
These challenges span foundational learning, workforce readiness, accessibility tools, and inclusive skills development. By focusing on real market needs, the program ensures that participating startups build sustainable and adaptable models capable of long-term growth.
Measurable Progress Across Two Cohorts
Implemented in Egypt by EdVentures, the Fellowship has supported 23 EdTech startups across two cohorts. As of January 2026, these ventures have collectively reached over 410,000 new learners.
This milestone underscores a shared commitment to ensuring that education technology does more than introduce digital tools. It aims to create meaningful pathways to opportunity for young people and underserved communities across Egypt and the wider region.
On a continental level, the Fellowship is now active in 12 countries, with an impact reach exceeding 5 million learners in Africa. This regional footprint reinforces the program’s role in shaping inclusive education systems powered by local innovation.
Leadership Perspective on Long-Term Impact
Dalia Ibrahim, Founder and CEO of EdVentures, emphasized that education innovation succeeds when it is built for scale, relevance, and long-term impact. She highlighted that supporting EdTech founders extends beyond capital, requiring strategic guidance to translate innovation into tangible learning outcomes and workforce readiness.
Through the Fellowship, EdVentures contributes to building a new generation of education companies capable of addressing structural gaps and advancing human capital development across Egypt and Africa.
Wariko Waita, Director of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, stressed that education technologies achieve their greatest impact when designed to be accessible and inclusive. She noted that the Fellowship was launched to expand access to relevant, technology-enabled learning solutions developed by entrepreneurs tackling persistent education challenges.
Strong Focus on Youth, Women, and Inclusive Growth
A defining feature of the Fellowship is its emphasis on entrepreneurs aged 18–35. The program aligns business growth with social and educational impact, promoting inclusive economic participation.
Across the two cohorts:
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52% of supported startups are women-led
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87% are youth-led
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34% are led from rural areas
These figures demonstrate a clear commitment to fostering diverse leadership and decentralizing innovation beyond major urban centers.
The learner demographics further reinforce this inclusive approach. Among those reached, 77% are youth and 71% are female youth, reflecting targeted efforts to expand equitable opportunities for young people and women.
Reaching Underserved Communities
The Fellowship’s impact extends to communities often excluded from mainstream education systems. Participating startups have reached 28,700 refugee learners and 20,500 persons with disabilities.
Collectively, these startups operate in more than 20 governorates, with roadshows conducted in 13 governorates to strengthen local engagement. This broad geographic presence ensures that the benefits of innovation are not limited to specific regions but distributed across the country.
Beyond Funding: Building Sustainable Ventures
While investment readiness remains a core objective, the Fellowship provides a comprehensive growth ecosystem. Founders receive more than 290 hours of tailored mentorship, workshops, and expert-led sessions.
This structured support enhances strategic planning, operational efficiency, and responsible scaling. By combining capital access with capability building, the program positions startups to expand sustainably and deliver long-term impact.
Cohort 2 Startups Driving Education Transformation
The 12 startups participating in Cohort 2 represent diverse segments of the education ecosystem:
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Mazraaty Academy: Agricultural and veterinary education
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Livit Education: STEM, robotics, and emerging technologies
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PikaDo: AI-powered peer-to-peer language learning
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ScribeMe: Accessibility tools for visually impaired learners
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Tick & Talk: Communication and presentation skills training
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Eagle Academy: Medical education and professional training
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CAMTECH: Engineering learning for Arabic-speaking youth
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Carerha: Women-focused economic empowerment platform
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Innova: Gamified financial literacy education
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Cognify Education: Support for learners with learning difficulties
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Growtwopro: Healthcare workforce readiness and upskilling hub
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MRCS IV: Online academy advancing African doctors’ skills
Together, these ventures illustrate the breadth of innovation emerging from Egypt’s EdTech ecosystem.
A Shared Vision for the Future of Education
The Cohort 2 Demo Day reaffirmed the shared vision of EdVentures and the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship: scaling African-led education solutions that improve learning outcomes, promote equity, and contribute to long-term social and economic development.
As the program advances beyond its second cohort, it remains grounded in a clear principle. Empowering education entrepreneurs is one of the most effective strategies for unlocking opportunity for the next generation and ensuring that every learner, regardless of geography or circumstance, has the chance to thrive.
