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7/23/25, 10:25 AM MBRF concludes fourth edition of Youth Knowledge Forum (YKF) - Middle East Business News and Information - mid-east.info
MBRF concludes fourth edition of Youth Knowledge Forum
(YKF)

July 22, 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.

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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.

The third session, titled ‘Non-Financial Services and Their Role in Supporting Entrepreneurs,’ was chaired by Dr.
Nizar Sami and focused on strategies to strengthen Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and attract more young
innovators. Discussions emphasized key ways to improve start-up sustainability and encourage regional growth.
Panelists included Mohammed Al-Naggar, Head of the Global Transaction Banking Division at Banque du Caire; Dr.
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