SHE CAN 2020: LARGEST WOMEN- ENTREPRENEURSHIP EVENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Over 5,000 people attended She Can 2020 event to help women embark on their startup journey, on March 7, at the Greek Campus in Cairo.

Credits: Egypt Today

For the 5th year in a row, Entreprenelle, an Egyptian social development organization, has held, a women-leading entrepreneurship event called SHE CAN 2020 || Fresh Start to support women entrepreneurs, decision makers and investors economically through awareness and education.

This year, this one-day event was under the theme of ‘’Successful failures’’ as actual situations were presented on how creativity along with technology and capital can alter failures into success stories. Moreover, the event also highlighted the need for making a fresh start and having a healthier thought process after starting or starting over a business.

In fact, the attendees were mostly women who were willing to begin their entrepreneurial journey regardless of the existing challenges in Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The event featured wide range of stage talks that provided inspiration and education across several industries as well as an exhibition area where different female-founded startups were able to exhibit their products and services. She Can has also offered funding opportunities along with workshops and coaching activities.

She Can hosted Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Hala El-Said to be the guest of honour. Added to that, there were also several speakers including women entrepreneurs, community leaders, influential figures and other prominent figures of different ages and backgrounds, such as Angie Al-Qassim, the well-known actresses from 'Layali Eugenie' series, as well as the skydiving ballerina, Nada Attia, and the health coach, Farah Nofal.

“Women should be able to achieve whatever their dreams are. What I was struck by was this idea of ‘successful failures’, we need to not fear failure, it’s not a destination, it is a stepping stone to success.” said The Deputy Ambassador of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Dorothy Shea, who was also one of the speakers.

Accordingly, SHE CAN has brought together big and even small partners to support the female entrepreneurship in Egypt by hosting more than fifty partners including UN Women, the National Council for Women, Avon, Orange and the Export Development Bank of Egypt.

Mariam Ragab, a political science graduate with little background in entrepreneurship, participated in the event to discover more about scholarship opportunities and funding opportunities.

Ragab said, “I want to pursue a career in public policy, and I attended this event because I heard they would offer sessions on scholarships and funding opportunities,” she also added, “I became very inspired seeing all these startups, and in the future I would like to open my own startup focusing on research in public policy.”

This year, She Can, in its 5th edition included over 5,000 attendees, which makes it the largest female-focused entrepreneurship event in the Middle East & North Africa.

It is crystal-clear the event continues to show a remarkable increase in significance, impact, and participation.