Visa has named PraxiLabs, Up-Fuse, and Kennah as the top three winners of the fourth Egyptian edition of its She’s Next program, an initiative focused on supporting women-led businesses. The program was delivered with Commercial International Bank, which returned as exclusive banking partner for a fourth year, and Shark Tank Egypt, which joined the initiative in the country for the first time. The winners were selected from nine finalists drawn from more than 2,500 applications submitted by women entrepreneurs across Egypt.
Three Ventures Secure Growth Funding
PraxiLabs took first place and received a grant of $20,000, while Up-Fuse finished second with $15,000 and Kennah placed third with $10,000. The combined $45,000 in funding is intended to help the three companies advance their next stage of development and expand their market reach. Visa said the winning ventures distinguished themselves through innovative models, credible growth prospects, and solutions designed to address identifiable customer and market needs.
Competitive Selection and Final Pitch
The nine finalists advanced through a structured evaluation and development process before presenting their companies to a panel of business leaders and investors. The judging group included Shark Tank Egypt representatives Abdalla Salam and Ahmed Tarek, Visa executive Malak El Baba, and CIB executive Hany El-Dieb. Their assessment considered the strength of each business model, the founders’ ability to articulate a clear growth strategy, and the ventures’ potential to generate sustainable commercial and social impact.
Training, Mentorship, and Market Exposure
Participants spent several months receiving targeted training and mentorship designed to strengthen their operational and strategic capabilities. The program covered business model development, pitch preparation, digital tools, emerging technologies, and the practical requirements of building companies capable of sustainable expansion. Finalists also gained exposure to a broader network of investors, corporate leaders, banking professionals, and ecosystem partners who could support future financing and commercial opportunities.
Partners Emphasize Long-Term Support
Malak El Baba, Visa’s vice president and country manager for Egypt, Libya, and Sudan, said the winners demonstrated the creativity, ambition, and resilience of women entrepreneurs in Egypt. She emphasized that access to capital, expertise, networks, and practical business resources can help women-led companies scale while contributing to stronger communities and a more inclusive economy. Visa positioned the program as part of a broader effort to reduce barriers facing female founders and increase their participation in economic growth.
CIB Expands the Program’s Development Offering
Hany El-Dieb, CIB’s head of commercial banking, SMEs, and payment acceptance, said the bank’s continued involvement reflects a long-term commitment to women-owned enterprises. He highlighted the addition of Shark Tank Egypt as a visibility partner and an exclusive collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which provided finalists with a tailored training course. According to CIB, combining specialized education, mentorship, and public exposure can give founders greater confidence and improve their ability to scale responsibly.
She’s Next is a global Visa initiative that supports women-owned small and medium-sized businesses through grants, education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Since 2020, Visa has invested more than $3.8 million worldwide in grants, training, and targeted programs for women entrepreneurs and SMEs. The latest Egyptian edition underscores the growing depth of the country’s female entrepreneurship ecosystem and the increasing role of corporate partnerships in helping promising ventures move from early traction toward sustainable growth.