Egypt Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (EEIC), affiliated with the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD), has successfully concluded the Pre-Incubation Program for Sustainable Fashion, where participants showcased their innovative project ideas.

Dr. Sherifa Sherif, Executive Director of NIGSD, stated that the Pre-Incubation Program for Sustainable Fashion Sector is an intensive and comprehensive program offered through EEIC. The program aims to support participants in generating and developing their ideas and transforming them into startups in the sustainable fashion industry.

Dr. Sherif highlighted that the program was structured as a detailed, interactive training bootcamp, spanning 14 training sessions designed to guide participants through every step of business model development, from idea formation to creating a complete business framework for their proposed projects.

Dr. Heba Zaki, Director of EEIC, explained that the bootcamp featured general sessions covering key steps in establishing startups and structuring business models, including market research, go-to-market strategies, value propositions, pricing, costs, and marketing strategies. The program also delved into critical topics such as fashion history, industry development, fashion ecosystem, branding, production, costing, pricing, public relations, and retail marketing.

Dr. Zaki further noted that the center received 188 applications from young entrepreneurs eager to join the program, out of which 33 participants were selected to develop their own businesses in the sustainable fashion industry. Ultimately, 16 projects were presented to the jury panel for evaluation.

The jury panel praised the high quality and originality of the presented projects, emphasizing their potential to advance sustainable fashion and create added value for one of Egypt’s most vital economic sectors. The jury panel featured a distinguished group of experts, including Dr. Heba Zaki, Director of EEIC; Dr. Maha Khalil, Director of the Sustainable Innovation Lab Program; Counselor Saeed Hamed, fashion entrepreneur and co-founder of Zara Egypt; Ms. Aida Zayed, Executive Director of the Fashion, Jewelry, and Leather Design Center; and Dr. Galal Zaki, a renowned Marketing and Communications Expert.