In a landmark move to elevate the transparency and appeal of Egypt’s startup ecosystem, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), in collaboration with the World Bank, has unveiled a national venture capital (VC) reporting standard. The initiative brings together major stakeholders, including top Egyptian VCs and the U.S.-based platform Visible.vc, to standardize how startups report to investors. This marks one of the first coordinated, market-wide efforts in Egypt to unify data practices across the entire venture landscape.
A Coalition of Leading VC Firms Joins Forces
Spearheaded by Foundation Ventures, the effort has garnered the participation of Egypt’s leading VC firms, including Algebra Ventures, Sawari Ventures, Shorooq Partners, and Endure Capital. Additional backing comes from Camel Ventures, DenVC, Climate Resilient Africa Fund, DisrupTech Ventures, and LoftyInc Capital. Together, these firms represent a critical mass of institutional investors with the influence to drive system-wide adoption of the new reporting framework.
Driving Data Consistency and Operational Efficiency
The core aim of the initiative is to eliminate the inefficiencies caused by fragmented and inconsistent data reporting practices. Currently, startups are often required to produce individualized reports tailored to each VC’s preferred format and schedule, draining valuable time and resources. The unified system intends to ease this burden by creating a shared set of metrics and standardized templates that can be used across the board.
Standardization as a Catalyst for Growth
By aligning data reporting practices, the initiative seeks to create a more reliable, transparent environment for both startups and investors. Improved data availability and accuracy are expected to enable clearer insights for general partners, enhance due diligence processes, and help startups present a stronger case to potential backers. In doing so, the ecosystem aims to position itself more favorably on the global investment stage.
A Strategic Partnership with Visible.vc
To power this transformation, the coalition selected Visible.vc as its reporting platform after a competitive selection process. Known for its investor relations tools tailored to startups and VCs, Visible.vc is now co-developing the system rollout alongside Egyptian fund managers to ensure a customized, local fit. This strategic partnership is expected to culminate in a full deployment by the end of the second quarter of 2025.
An Ecosystem-Wide Data Report on the Horizon
Once implemented, the standardized system will enable Egypt to publish its first ecosystem-wide data report after a full year of consistent data collection. This report will serve as a benchmark for stakeholders and signal Egypt’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence. It also lays the groundwork for smarter capital allocation, performance tracking, and macro-level policy planning.
Boosting Investor Confidence and Startup Scalability
For Egypt, the initiative represents a long-term investment in the credibility and scalability of its startup ecosystem. Clean, reliable data is essential to gaining the trust of international investors who often require detailed, consistent performance metrics before committing capital. As Mazen Nadim, Managing Partner at Foundation Ventures, noted, the effort is about creating the necessary transparency to attract foreign direct investment while giving local startups more opportunities to grow.
This reporting standard initiative signifies a pivotal shift in how Egypt approaches venture capital and startup development. By bridging gaps between stakeholders and building a foundation of trust through shared data, the country is taking decisive steps to become a more investable and scalable market. With the support of MSMEDA, the World Bank, and a coalition of forward-thinking VCs, Egypt is setting a new benchmark for emerging startup ecosystems across the region.