Startup Accelerator - Spring'20

Helping Egyptian entrepreneurs build the next generation of innovative tech unicorns

AUC Venture Lab (AUC V-Lab) is Egypt’s first university-based incubator and accelerator at The American University in Cairo. AUC V-Lab enables startups to capitalize on AUC’s intellectual capital, world-class facilities and research capacities. It connects innovative startups with AUC’s network that includes alumni, faculty, mentors and investors. Through this, it fosters a thriving ecosystem of innovation, education and responsible business.

The AUC V-Lab Startup Accelerator is a 16-week program providing support for early-stage and innovative startups to launch and grow their business using evidence-based entrepreneurship and lean startup methods. With the support of our corporate sponsors, we work across multiple industries including: E-commerce, Energy and Sustainability, Healthcare Innovation, Creative Industries and more!

We help Egyptian startups commercialize their innovative technologies and business models into viable ventures that contribute to economic growth, competitiveness and job creation and provide a learning and research platform for the AUC community to connect with entrepreneurs.

AUC Venture Lab targets startups that are high-growth and innovation-driven. These are selected through a rigorous process based on the novelty of the idea, scalability and commercial potential as well as the team’s track record, cohesion, tenacity and commitment to success. Selected startups play an active role in the AUC community, sharing their entrepreneurial experience with students and staff. They also contribute to Egypt's growth and competitiveness.

The AUC Venture Lab acceleration program runs in two cycles per year where each cycle includes around ten startups. The Lab provides these startups with an intensive acceleration experience for three months, followed by a longer incubation cycle of a year.