Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in payments technology, announced the winners of the fourth edition of “She’s Next” program in Egypt, delivered in collaboration with CIB Business Banking), the exclusive banking partner for the fourth consecutive year, and Shark Tank for the first time in Egypt. The initiative is designed to empower women entrepreneurs and accelerate business growth through access to training, mentorship, visibility, and funding
This year’s edition attracted participation from more than 2,500 women-led businesses, reflecting the strength, ambition, and diversity of Egypt’s female entrepreneurship ecosystem. Following a rigorous evaluation and development process, nine finalists were selected to pitch their businesses to a distinguished panel of experts and investors, including; Shark Tank Egypt’s Abdalla Salam and Ahmed Tarek, Visa’s Malak El Baba, and CIB’s Hany El-Dieb
PraxiLabs was awarded first place and received the grand prize of USD 20,000. Up-Fuse secured second place, receiving USD 15,000, while Kennah ranked third and received USD 10,000. Together, the three winners received a total of USD 45,000 in funding to support their next stage of growth. The winners were recognized for their innovative business models, strong growth potential, and ability to address real market needs. Their ventures stood out among a highly competitive group of finalists representing a wide range of sectors and solutions
Over the past months, participants in the program benefited from specialized training and mentorship sessions focused on strengthening business models, improving pitch readiness, leveraging digital tools and emerging technologies, and preparing for sustainable growth. The initiative also provided entrepreneurs with valuable exposure and access to a wider network of business leaders, investors, and ecosystem partners
Malak El Baba, Vice President and Country Manager for Visa in Egypt, Libya, and Sudan, said: “This year’s winners reflect the creativity, ambition, and resilience of women entrepreneurs in Egypt. Through She’s Next, Visa is proud to support women-led businesses with the tools, resources, funding, and networks they need to grow, scale, and create lasting impact. We believe that when women entrepreneurs are empowered, they not only grow their own businesses, but also contribute to stronger communities and a more inclusive economy
Hany El-Dieb, Head of Commercial Banking, SMEs & Payment Acceptance at the Commercial International Bank (CIB), added
“We are delighted to reaffirm our partnership with the She’s Next initiative for the fourth consecutive year, underscoring our deep commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs. This dedication is further demonstrated through this year’s partnership with Shark Tank in order to provide much needed exposure to women entrepreneurs and also our exclusive partnership with EBRD, who this year offered a tailored course to the She’s Next finalists. This course is vital for their growth, equipping participants with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to scale their businesses sustainably. By combining visibility, mentorship, and specialized training, we aim to empower women entrepreneurs to unlock their full potential and drive meaningful change in their communities
Globally, “She’s Next” Empowered by Visa , is a program that supports women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide through funding, training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help them grow and strengthen their economic contribution
Since 2020, Visa has invested more than USD 3.8 million globally through grants, training programs, and targeted initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs and SMEs, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive economic growth and community empowerment
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