Competition Supporting Startups in Suez

Arabian Cement Company (ACC) announced on October 28th the names of the final winners of “Khaleeha Suessi” program. In the presence of Mr. Al Arabi Al Serwi, Governor of Suez, Jose Maria Magrina, ACC Chief Executive Officer and Loay El-Shawarby, Chairperson of Nahdet El Mahrousa revealed the names of the six projects that will be offered seed funding as well as one-year incubation at Nahdet El Mahrousa. The announcement was made in Suez governorate, with senior officials from ACC attending.

“Khaleeha Suessi” was launched in June 2015 to promote positive social impact and employment opportunities by providing entrepreneurs with the tools needed to successfully establish their own social startups. The winning projects vary between environmental friendly industrial/agricultural ventures, cultural/social ventures and educational ventures. To qualify for the incubation phase, there were several criteria that the winning projects had to meet. These criteria included offering an innovative business idea that has the potential to become scalable and sustainable, and have social impact in Suez.

Over the period of four months, the program offered guidance for the applicants to support them in developing comprehensive proposals for their start-up. The final proposals of the applicants were considered by a panel of six experts including Eng. Fernas El Hakim, Governmental Affairs Director at ACC; Angy Samad, Marketing Manager at ACC; Dr. Ahmed Huzayyin, Co-founder of Cleantech Arabia; Dr. Ayman Ismail, Assistant Professor at the American University in Cairo; Tamer Mostafa, Chief Accountant at Nahdet El Mahrousa; and Jackie Kameel, Managing Director of Nahdet El Mahrousa.

At the end of the one-year incubation period, each project will be granted its allocated seed funding, as a means of supporting each team to successfully kickoff their business, using the skills and knowledge offered to them by “Khaleeha Suessi”.

Khaleeha Suessi Winning Projects

Suez Tire Recycling Factory

• WEEDA
• Al Maa’deya
• A’lam Mwazy
• Dynergy
• Biogas

ACC has been supporting Hope Village Society to develop its “Dream Building” project since 2010. Among others, Hope Village Society initiatives include securing shelter to more than 300 orphans through its properties across Cairo, 10th of Ramadan and Alexandria. The Dream Building project aims at serving as an integrated shelter for all the Hope Village orphans. As such, ACC is collaborating with Hope Village by providing it with the cement needed to complete its project.

To date, over 40% of the project has been completed, and ACC will continue its support until the entire development is complete. ACC will also continue its support to Hope Village Society initiatives, aiming to deliver a better future for Egyptian children.