Page 122 - MBRF PR REPORT - JULY 2025 - ENGLISH

7/23/25, 10:24 AM MBRF concludes fourth edition of Youth Knowledge Forum (YKF)

MBRF concludes fourth edition of Youth Knowledge Forum (YKF)

22 July 2025 – The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) successfully concluded the fourth edition of the Youth
Knowledge Forum (YKF), which was held in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Egypt's Ministry of Youth
and Sports through the Knowledge Youth Office. The event was held at the Cairo University Theatre on July 20 and 21, 2025, convening a
distinguished group of experts and pioneers in this field.

The second and final day of YKF featured several in-depth discussions on key themes, including entrepreneurship, its challenges, and the stages
of development. The sessions also examined Egypt's diverse entrepreneurial projects, the financial hurdles hindering their establishment and
growth, as well as strategies for attracting investment and managing risk. Additionally, the event highlighted several inspiring entrepreneurial
models and concluded with an open discussion, where young participants shared their future goals.

His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said: “The Youth Knowledge Forum is a dynamic platform for empowering young people and
cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship and investment across the region. We, at MBRF, believe that constructive dialogues play a crucial role in
strengthening the regional business landscape and promoting innovative entrepreneurial projects. Such initiatives further underscore the joint
efforts of the UAE and the Arab Republic of Egypt to drive economic development and enhance the role of youth in society. We look forward to
organizing more such impactful events which promote cooperation, and meaningful dialogue, further supporting the Foundation's vision of
enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship.”

The first session, held under the title ‘Entrepreneurship: From Beginnings to Challenges and Transformations,' was moderated by Dr. Nizar Sami,
UNDP Egypt Innovation and Inclusive Growth Project Officer. The session explored what motivates young people to become entrepreneurs and
the key challenges they face during the early stages of establishing their ventures. Prominent entrepreneurs, including Mohamed El Shabrawy El-
Feky, Founder of Sympl; Mohamed Ragab, CEO of Imtlik Real Estate; Fady Ibrahim, Founder of Cropsa; Mohamed Yehia, Co-Founder of BIS; and
Mohamed Koura, CEO of Vision, took part in the discussions, sharing their personal experiences with failure, key lessons learned, and the
obstacles entrepreneurs face in accessing markets and building customer bases. They also discussed the future of entrepreneurship and the
prerequisites to creating a conducive environment for youth empowerment.
The second session, titled ‘Investment and Venture Capital,' moderated by Mustafa Abdel Latif, Co-founder and CEO of E Youth, examined
Egypt's vibrant entrepreneurial scene from an investment perspective, highlighting the funding challenges that hinder start-up growth. Featuring
notable speakers such as Ali Mokhtar (CEO of Beltone Venture Capital), Dr. Amr Al-Awamry from ARIA Ventures, and Nada Shaheen, Managing
Director of GB Ventures, the discussion covered start-up evaluation frameworks. It stressed the importance of building a strong investment
ecosystem and encouraging innovation.

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