The 2026 edition of the “Where Are the Opportunities?” event concluded at its headquarters with strong attendance from entrepreneurs, startup founders, and ecosystem stakeholders. The event was also attended by prominent business figures, including Ahmed Khalil from Shark Tank Egypt.
The main discussion featured Hussein El Manawy, Business Development Consultant, and Mohamed Nagaty, entrepreneur and Founder of ExitsMena. The dialogue focused on identifying key trends for the coming year, highlighting sectors expected to grow, and analyzing areas likely to face structural and operational challenges, based on both local and global indicators.
El Manawy expressed his satisfaction with the event’s continuity for the sixth consecutive year, noting the steady increase in audience size and viewership. He emphasized that this growth reinforces the event’s role as a key platform for networking and idea exchange within Egypt’s entrepreneurship community.
Egypt’s Startups and Global Competitiveness
The discussion highlighted the growing ability of Egyptian startups to compete globally and position themselves within the technology export market. Speakers praised the experience of InfiniLink, a semiconductor chip design company that successfully attracted acquisition interest from both local and international investors.
This case was presented as evidence that Egyptian startups are capable of exporting advanced technology solutions and competing beyond regional boundaries when supported by strong technical expertise and scalable business models.
The B2B Sector: From Rapid Growth to Reality Check
The B2B sector, which experienced significant development over the past three years, was a central topic during the event. While many previously believed the sector would grow without limits, the past year revealed noticeable setbacks.
Nagaty explained that many B2B startups relied heavily on aggressive cash burning strategies to attract investment, rather than building sustainable and profitable business models. He cited examples of platforms connecting supermarkets with fast-moving consumer goods companies, noting that currency flotation decisions increased operational pressures.
These economic shifts directly impacted the ability of many young-led startups to maintain their growth pace, exposing structural weaknesses in their financial planning.
Alternative Investment Platforms and Fractional Ownership
The event also addressed the rise of alternative investment platforms that provide individual investors with access to opportunities previously limited to large capital holders. Nagaty stressed that technology does not create new needs, but rather enhances the efficiency of existing behaviors.
He referenced platforms that digitized traditional savings and investment concepts, successfully modernizing them for a broader audience. However, he issued a clear warning regarding the online trading of gold and silver without immediate physical delivery, pointing out potential legal, technical, and compliance risks.
Real Estate Securitization and Secondary Markets
Real estate securitization was discussed as a globally proven model, with reference to international success stories involving major institutional investors. Despite its global viability, speakers emphasized that the primary challenge in the region lies in legislative and regulatory frameworks, particularly in real estate-related assets.
The discussion also touched on ongoing efforts to establish secondary markets for startups, enabling equity trading through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to reduce traditional legal and administrative complexities.
The Food and Beverage Sector and the Expansion Trap
Nagaty warned against rapid expansion in the food and beverage sector, describing it as a form of commercial self-destruction when not supported by operational profitability. He referred to local market experiences and his own involvement in managing dozens of restaurant branches that generated high revenues but failed to achieve real profits.
The key takeaway emphasized that true growth begins with sustainable profitability rather than an increasing number of outlets.
Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Services
Artificial intelligence was identified as a major force reshaping the services sector, particularly call centers. Nagaty explained that AI-powered systems are increasingly capable of replacing thousands of traditional roles while significantly reducing operational and infrastructure costs.
He categorized countries into four groups within the AI ecosystem, ranging from global leaders such as the United States and China, to contributors, adopters, and observers. He noted that Egypt currently falls into the observer category in terms of AI industry leadership.
Regional Market Expansion Opportunities
The speakers highlighted promising regional expansion opportunities, identifying Oman as one of the most attractive Gulf markets for Egyptian startups, provided that solutions are well-aligned with local needs. Bahrain was also cited as a fast-advancing hub for financial technology.
Regarding Saudi Arabia, the discussion challenged common assumptions, noting that the market is often more suitable for local entrepreneurs, and that Egyptian startups’ success depends heavily on offering highly tailored and relevant services.
When Should a Founder Step Aside?
One of the most impactful messages addressed the importance of transitioning from founder-led management to institutional leadership. Nagaty stressed the need for startups to recognize the right moment to appoint a CEO capable of managing operational growth and scaling complexities.
El Manawy reinforced this view, stating that opportunities are not confined to specific sectors, but rather lie in delivering real value to a broad customer base, building strong teams, and executing efficiently with controlled costs.
Understanding the AI Industry Value Chain
The discussion explored artificial intelligence as a complex ecosystem rather than a single industry. Speakers outlined its core layers, starting with energy as the foundation, followed by infrastructure and raw materials for chip manufacturing.
Processing power, dominated by global players such as Nvidia, was identified as a critical layer, followed by large language models, which attract the largest share of investment. At the top are applications and intelligent agents that transform models into practical business solutions.
El Manawy highlighted significant opportunities in customer experience optimization using AI technologies, noting his involvement with Origin CX, a consultancy specializing in digital customer experience strategies across the Middle East and Africa.
Economic Concerns and the AI Bubble Warning
The event concluded with a discussion on rising operational costs and inflated valuations within the AI sector. Nagaty compared the current landscape to the dot-com bubble of 2001, cautioning against exaggerated valuations for companies lacking sustainable revenue models.
He also warned against “AI washing,” where companies add AI branding without delivering genuine technological value, describing it as a form of technical misrepresentation.
Content Challenges and the Role of Knowledge Platforms
In closing, speakers addressed the shortage of high-quality Arabic content related to startups and entrepreneurship. They criticized the dominance of trend-driven algorithms that prioritize superficial content over educational value.
El Manawy stated that “Where Are the Opportunities?” aims to help bridge this gap by launching new digital products designed to elevate Arabic business and entrepreneurship content and reshape the current media landscape.
