Arabian Cement Company (ACC), a leading Egyptian industrial group, has signed a partnership deal with Nahdet El Mahrousa to start a new phase of its social start-up programme: Khaleeha Suessi.

Launched under the name of “Sketch Your Idea - Khaleeha Suessi”, it is aimed at supporting young people from Suez Governorate who are willing to explore the world of entrepreneurship and startups.

The objective was to introduce attendees to an intensive ideation program of 32 training hours including one-on-one consultations to define and refine the teams’ ideas and business models, educate them on how to build functional prototypes and test them and at the same time, create a pipeline for current and future start-up programs, said a senior official.  

"ACC's main objective when launching Khaleeha Suessi was to develop a platform through which we can empower promising entrepreneurs to realize their potential," remarked CEO Sergio Alcantarilla.

"As such, adding this new phase and offering initial guidance to the youth was a much needed step to provide them with the insights and skills required to develop a realistic, applicable work model," he noted.

"At ACC we believe that ongoing enhancements is a key component to maintaining a successful business model, and since we view Khaleeha Suessi as a vital tool through which contribute in further developing the Suez community, we spare no efforts in incorporating the required modifications to ensure it achieves its objective," he added.

“Sketch your idea” competition witnessed the participation of 40 entrepreneurs, and 19 different ideas within the sectors of waste management, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture and food production.

The sectors were pre-identified as high priority ones following business opportunity mapping and field research that was commissioned by Nahdet El Mahrousa.

By the end of the competition, 6 ideas were awarded with a E£10,000 to E£15,000 ($565 to $848) grant to further develop their prototypes. This phase also placed entrepreneurs on a fast qualification track for Khaleeha Suessi’s main program.

Jackie Kameel, the managing director of Nahdet El Mahrousa, said: "Supporting and guiding potential entrepreneurs in building their ideas secures a pipeline of qualified nascent startups that are capable of reshaping the economic and social environment in their governorates."

"Our long-term partner, The Arabian Cement Company, continues to support the Khaleeha Suessi program to help guide the youth of Suez as they explore their potential as future entrepreneurs," he added.-TradeArabia News Service