Minya – As part of the commitment of the United States to work with the public and private sector to strengthen Egypt’s economy and provide job opportunities for youth, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is co-sponsoring a “Startup Weekend” in Minya, on October 26-28.  The “Minyathon” will bring together over 100 aspiring Egyptian entrepreneurs to participate in an entrepreneurship competition.

During the two-day competition aspiring entrepreneurs will form teams to develop and pitch ideas to start new businesses. Minyathon participants will work together to refine their business models, develop viable business plans and present their ideas to potential investors.

The Minyathon is co-sponsored by the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Hult Prize and the Startup Institute, and targets Egypt’s pool of talented, innovative, and civic-minded young adults seeking to strengthen Egypt’s economy while benefiting their communities.

According to USAID Acting Mission Director Rebecca Latoracca, “USAID, in partnership with the Egyptian government, is building the capacity of promising entrepreneurs because we know that encouraging innovative entrepreneurship adds value to the economy and empowers people to work to their full potential.  Our goal is that these teams will create new business ventures that will create jobs, solve some of the governorate’s challenging social issues, and contribute to the growth of Egypt’s economy.”

USAID’s support for Minyathon is part of the U.S. commitment to strengthen entrepreneurship and enterprise development (SEED) among youth and women in Egypt through supporting the growth and expansion of micro, small, and medium enterprises.

This project is part of the $30 billion that the American people have invested in Egypt through USAID since 1978.  To find out more about USAID’s work in Egypt, please see https://www.usaid.gov/egypt, and follow along on Facebook and Twitter at @USAIDEgypt