Monday, April 06, 2026
OSVP
Opening New Horizons for Egyptian Startups: Access to Funding and Regional Expansion Through Impactful Tech Solutions
€70,000 in Prizes in 16th Edition, Including Special Category for Women-Led Projects
Orange Egypt has announced the launch of the 2026 edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) in Africa and the Middle East, reaffirming its commitment to fostering innovation and empowering startups that leverage technology to create meaningful social impact.
Launched in 2011, the competition has become one of the region’s leading initiatives supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. It is designed to identify and empower startups that use technology to deliver smart, sustainable solutions addressing pressing societal challenges.
The initiative reflects Orange Egypt’s strong commitment to supporting Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and reinforcing its role as a catalyst for technological innovation. Through this platform, entrepreneurs gain access to real opportunities for funding and regional expansion, helping startups accelerate growth and maximize their social and economic impact.
Orange Egypt is inviting startups and innovators across Egypt to apply before the May 10, 2026 deadline through the official website: https://poesam.orange.com/en. The competition offers participants a valuable gateway to a broad network of experts, mentors, and investors, providing the support needed to help promising ventures expand into regional markets.
The initiative also aligns with Egypt’s national agenda to promote innovation and entrepreneurship as key pillars of Egypt Vision 2030, which seeks to build a competitive, technology-driven economy and support startups capable of delivering practical and innovative solutions to economic and societal challenges.
At the same time, the program highlights the role of the private sector in advancing digital transformation by empowering youth, fostering a culture of innovation, and promoting financial inclusion—ultimately contributing to job creation and sustainable development.
The competition is divided into two stages. The first is a national phase, during which three winning Egyptian startups will be selected and awarded local prizes, while also earning the chance to qualify for the international round. In the second stage, the shortlisted startups will compete with innovators from 17 countries across Orange’s footprint in Africa and the Middle East, opening the door for participating ventures to scale beyond their local markets and gain wider regional exposure.
The competition targets startups that are less than five years old, as well as entrepreneurs and innovators aged 21 and above, particularly those working in technology-related fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Digital Solutions. Orange Egypt also places special emphasis on supporting women-led ventures, underscoring its commitment to fostering greater inclusion and equal opportunities within the innovation ecosystem. The competition offers a set of international financial awards, including: €25,000 for first place, €15,000 for second place, €10,000 for third place, and €20,000 dedicated award for women-led projects. This brings the total international prize pool to €70,000, reflecting Orange’s commitment to providing meaningful incentives for high-potential startups.
The submitted projects will be evaluated based on several criteria, including the relevance to the needs of markets in Africa and the Middle East, Innovative and practical use of technology and the availability of a working prototype, thereby enhancing the potential for growth, scalability, and sustainability
In this context, Maha Nagy, Chief Communication Officer at Orange Egypt, said: “Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship is a core part of our strategy to achieve sustainable development in Egypt. With the rapid pace of technological advancement, we see OSVP as a genuine platform for discovering young talent and helping them transform their ideas into projects that serve society.” She added: “Our goal for the 2026 edition is to broaden opportunities for Egyptian entrepreneurs and connect them with a strong network of experts and investors, making it easier for their startups to grow and expand confidently across regional markets.” She continued:
“We are particularly keen to support women-led ventures, because we firmly believe that women’s role in the technology sector is essential to building a diverse and inclusive digital economy.” Maha Nagy concluded by encouraging innovators and entrepreneurs across Egypt to seize this opportunity and submit their projects before the deadline, joining a development journey that could create tangible impact across the region.