Latest news with #Futuremakers
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Standard Chartered unveils strategic push for women in Egyptian tech
Arab Finance: Egypt's banking sector is undergoing a period of robust growth and transformation, underpinned by strong liquidity, rising deposits, and a wave of digital innovation. As of March 2025, domestic liquidity in the sector reached EGP 12.566 trillion, according to data by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). This reflects the confidence of households and businesses alike in the stability and resilience of Egypt's financial institutions. Against this backdrop of sectoral strength and modernization, Standard Chartered's entry and expansion in Egypt signals growing opportunities for both local and international investors. In this interview, Mohammed Gad, CEO of Standard Chartered Egypt, discusses the bank's strategic priorities, its commitment to supporting key sectors and women entrepreneurs, and its vision for contributing to Egypt's ongoing economic transformation. 1-Standard Chartered Foundation is playing a pivotal role in launching the Futuremakers Women in Tech Egypt accelerator. From your perspective, what are the most critical barriers facing women-led startups in Egypt today? There are two main challenges facing women-led startups in Egypt today. The first challenge is access to funding and the capital needed to bring their technology ventures to life. The second is the lack of non-financial support. This includes essential guidance on building sustainable business models, conducting feasibility studies, and marketing their products or services. Through the Futuremakers Women in Tech Egypt accelerator, we aim to address both of these challenges, providing not only mentorship and technical support but also access to capital for those whose project ideas demonstrate strong potential. 2-The program promises mentorship, investment-readiness training, and access to global networks for selected entrepreneurs. How will Standard Chartered ensure that participants in Egypt receive tailored support that addresses the local business environment? We are committed to ensuring that the support provided through this program is relevant and accessible to women across Egypt, regardless of their location. The accelerator is open to all business models, with a special focus on talented women working in the technology space. Standard Chartered will provide both financial and non-financial support. The top three winners will each receive equity-free funding of $10,000. Beyond that, all participants will benefit from an intensive eight-week workshop designed to address the realities of the local business environment. This includes training on funding strategies, navigating Egypt's legal and regulatory landscape, and building effective marketing approaches. Our aim is to equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to grow their ventures within the Egyptian context. 3-With the goal of supporting 400 women entrepreneurs and enabling over 1,200 jobs across the region, what are your expectations for the impact of the Women in Tech accelerator in Egypt, both in terms of job creation and broader economic inclusion? Our focus is on driving both job creation and economic inclusion, two goals that go hand in hand. What makes this program stand out is its emphasis on diversifying the workforce by supporting female talent, which remains an underutilized resource in Egypt's economy. At the same time, we see this as a catalyst for long-term economic growth. The leading companies in Egypt 20 years from now may not be the ones dominating today. That is why we are committed to supporting startups and small to medium-sized enterprises as they represent the next wave of innovation and economic transformation. Through this accelerator, we aim to create a real and lasting impact across the country. 4-Beyond the accelerator, what other initiatives or partnerships is Standard Chartered pursuing to empower women and promote financial inclusion in Egypt? This program marks one of the most significant initiatives we've launched in Egypt to date. While we have the capacity to introduce additional programs, our current focus is on supporting women in the technology sector, where we see immense potential for impact. This is our first initiative of its kind in Egypt, and we are committed to building on its success in the years ahead. Our ambition is to create a sustained platform that drives financial inclusion and empowers more women to lead and grow innovative businesses. 5-Standard Chartered has recently expanded its presence in Egypt. Can you share the strategic priorities guiding this growth? Our expansion in Egypt is driven by our commitment to delivering the full suite of financial products and services offered by the Standard Chartered Group, not only locally but also through our international capabilities. We are focused on supporting the corporate sector, government entities, and financial institutions, playing an active role in advancing Egypt's economic priorities. This growth is underpinned by our belief in Egypt's potential and our commitment to deliver value across key segments of the Egyptian economy. 6-How does Standard Chartered's global network enhance trade and investment opportunities for Egyptian companies? We support Egyptian companies, particularly those with regional or global ambitions, by leveraging our international network, which spans 53 markets. Through this global footprint, we provide tailored financing solutions, connect clients with potential investors, and facilitate cross-border trade and investment opportunities. Our ability to operate seamlessly across key corridors allows us to help Egyptian businesses scale beyond their home market and navigate international expansion with confidence. 7-Standard Chartered has reported strong financial results globally and regionally in recent quarters. How has this growth trajectory been reflected in the Egyptian market? And what are your financial targets for Standard Chartered Egypt in the coming years? We are focusing on several priority sectors in Egypt, including the industrial sector, tourism, real estate development, banking services, and government financing. One recent example is our participation in supporting the government's US dollar bond issuance last January, where we were among the banks assisting the Ministry of Finance. We are also actively working to attract foreign investment into local debt instruments, a space that is showing strong momentum thanks to improving macroeconomic indicators such as falling inflation and steady growth. These trends create a favorable environment for investment and are aligned with our long-term commitment to supporting Egypt's financial development. Furthermore, the recent interest rate cut is expected to help reduce the fiscal deficit in the state budget and stimulate broader economic activity. It also supports both direct and indirect investments, reinforcing our view that Egypt remains a high-potential market for growth. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Business Wire
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Standard Chartered US Named One of America's 50 Most Community-Minded Companies by Points of Light
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Standard Chartered US (the 'Bank') is proud to announce that it has been recognized for the third consecutive year as an honoree of The Civic 50, an initiative by Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteer service. Our commitment to the community goes hand in hand with our business strategy – we know that inclusive economic growth creates more resilient markets and stronger relationships with our clients and partners. For more than a decade, The Civic 50 has served as the national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how leading companies are moving social impact and community to the core of their business. This comprehensive survey for companies with annual revenues of at least $1 billion evaluates the scale, sophistication and impact of their employee volunteering, community engagement and corporate philanthropy work. 'As an executive sponsor of the Bank's community impact efforts, I'm incredibly proud of our team for achieving this recognition three years in a row,' said Thomas Kikis, Head of Markets for the Americas at Standard Chartered. 'Our commitment to the community goes hand in hand with our business strategy – we know that inclusive economic growth creates more resilient markets and stronger relationships with our clients and partners. The recognition reflects the dedication of our colleagues, who continue to invest their time and skills to drive meaningful change in the places where we live and work.' At the heart of the Bank's community engagement is Futuremakers, Standard Chartered's global initiative to empower young people to navigate the increasingly complex and competitive world. In the Americas, the Bank collaborates with organizations such as the Zahn Center at the City College of New York, Village Capital, Upwardly Global, Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America, and Youth Business International to support education, employability, and entrepreneurship. These efforts have also earned the Bank the Mayoral Service Recognition Certificate from the New York City Mayor's office, highlighting the tangible local impact of its programs. 'In an ever-evolving landscape, companies are looking to ensure that they can meet the needs of their communities, customers, and stakeholders,' said Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO, Points of Light. 'Companies like Standard Chartered are leading the way in showing how social impact benefits their employee's well-being, strengthens the communities where they do business, and brings value and meaning to their work. Their efforts provide a model for others looking to bring the benefits of volunteering and social impact to their workforce and they're extremely deserving of this recognition.' About Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Our history in the US dates back to 1902, and we are currently present in nine locations throughout the Americas. Our Americas franchise focuses on financial institutions and select corporations and plays a key role in facilitating trade and investment flows between the Americas and Asia, Africa, the UK and Europe and the Middle East Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips, and mobilizes millions of people to take action that creates a positive impact through volunteering and civic engagement. Through partnerships with nonprofits, companies and social impact leaders, the organization galvanizes volunteers to meet critical needs for healthier and more resilient communities. As the world's largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteer service, Points of Light engages more than 3.8 million volunteers across 32 countries. For more information, visit
CairoScene
01-06-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Standard Chartered Opens Tech Program for Women in Egypt
In partnership with AUC Venture Lab and Village Capital, the programme supports startups with training and equity-free funding. Jun 01, 2025 Standard Chartered, in collaboration with the AUC Venture Lab and Village Capital, has announced the launch of a new accelerator programme for women in Egypt's tech sector. The Futuremakers Women in Tech initiative looks to support women-led startups through training, mentorship, and equity-free funding. The programme is part of the broader Futuremakers initiative, a global effort funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation to promote economic inclusion. In Egypt, the accelerator will run for three years and provide participants with access to tailored business support, expert-led masterclasses, and mentorship opportunities. Selected start-ups will also be eligible for equity-free grants of up to $10,000, along with connections to international investor networks. The launch marks Egypt's entry into the global Women in Tech network, which has already reached more than 4,000 women entrepreneurs across 17 countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, the UAE, and Pakistan. The programme seeks to reinforce the role of female entrepreneurship within Egypt's expanding tech-enabled economy, where women-led ventures are increasingly viewed as important contributors to innovation and inclusive economic development. Futuremakers Women in Tech also builds on the track record of the AUC Venture Lab, which has supported over 1,000 founders since its establishment in 2013. The launch event featured a panel discussion on women in the technology sector, highlighting insights from regional industry leaders.
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tech Accelerator: Standard Chartered Pakistan launches ‘7th Cohort of Futuremakers Women'
KARACHI: Standard Chartered Pakistan, launched the 7th Cohort of the Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator in partnership with INNOVentures Global (Pvt) Limited. This accelerator was first launched in Pakistan in 2019 and was designed to address gender disparity in the technology sector. This initiative not only supports innovative business ideas but also addresses the financial barriers women often face in launching and scaling their ventures. By offering tailored mentorship and financial backing, Standard Chartered is committed to fostering an ecosystem where women can thrive as successful entrepreneurs, driving economic growth and social change in the country. Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator is an integral component of the Bank's entrepreneurship offering within Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, a global initiative to tackle inequality and promote economic inclusion. Commenting on the launch, Rehan Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Pakistan said that the launch of Cohort 7 of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Accelerator reflects our commitment to create equitable opportunities and advance financial inclusion for women in Pakistan. He said that over the past six years; this programme has provided critical funding and focused mentorship to female led businesses. 'To date, out of the 1900+ women led startups that showed interest to apply, more than 143 women founders have graduated, and 43 have received seed funding. Standard Chartered's commitment to expanding women's access to entrepreneurial finance embodies the core of the bank's Futuremakers strategy,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tech Accelerator: SCP launches ‘7th Cohort of Futuremakers Women'
KARACHI: Standard Chartered Pakistan, launched the 7th Cohort of the Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator in partnership with INNOVentures Global (Pvt) Limited. This accelerator was first launched in Pakistan in 2019 and was designed to address gender disparity in the technology sector. This initiative not only supports innovative business ideas but also addresses the financial barriers women often face in launching and scaling their ventures. By offering tailored mentorship and financial backing, Standard Chartered is committed to fostering an ecosystem where women can thrive as successful entrepreneurs, driving economic growth and social change in the country. Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator is an integral component of the Bank's entrepreneurship offering within Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, a global initiative to tackle inequality and promote economic inclusion. Commenting on the launch, Rehan Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Pakistan said that the launch of Cohort 7 of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Accelerator reflects our commitment to create equitable opportunities and advance financial inclusion for women in Pakistan. He said that over the past six years; this programme has provided critical funding and focused mentorship to female led businesses. 'To date, out of the 1900+ women led startups that showed interest to apply, more than 143 women founders have graduated, and 43 have received seed funding. Standard Chartered's commitment to expanding women's access to entrepreneurial finance embodies the core of the bank's Futuremakers strategy,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
