SEKEM, in partnership with Heliopolis University, works to inspire growth, wellbeing, and social transformation.
Entrepreneurship Center for Social Impact
Heliopolis University Entrepreneurship Center for Social Impact (HU-ECSI) is a dedicated hub for social entrepreneurs across Egypt.
Our goal is to empower sustainable innovative startups that can generate a growing financial profit with a high positive social impact in both local and global markets.
ECSI empowers startups & SMEs within the framework of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the 16 SEKEM Vision Goals, serving the 4 sustainability pillars; cultural, ecological, economic & societal pillars.
We provide sector-specific support to potential entrepreneurs by leveraging our extensive network of experts & industry partners to raise the capacities of these startups and facilitate market access.
Our center’s objectives are to become the driver and creator of revolutionary startups and growing companies based on a high level of innovation that can add both social developmental impact and financial growth.
We leverage the resources of the private sector as it becomes the client, the supplier, and the financier of our startups and growing companies.
Our market value is to provide tailored, sector-specific, industry- and academia-driven support for potential entrepreneurs from SEKEM and HU communities and beyond. We aim to create social impact committed to sustainable technological and innovative implications.
Vision
Become a catalyst for positive social change through social entrepreneurship, business innovation, and sustainable green transformation.
Empower innovators to create lasting solutions for socio-economic challenges.
Mission
Create a self-sufficient innovation hub that serves university students and startups from different sectors in Egypt, with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
Provide customized support services for early-stage entrepreneurs enabling them to create growing financial profits and social impact on local and global markets.
Ideas That Transform Communities
Development Tracks
SEKEM Vision Goals
- SDG 8 : Decent work & economic growth
- SDG 9: Industry innovation & infrastructure
- SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SVG 1: Lifelong learning & potential unfolding
- SVG 10 Circular economy
- SVG 12: ethical finance
- SVG 13: Responsible consumption & sustainable lifestyle
- SVG 14: Integral organizational development & Leadership
- SVG 16: Social transformation
Services
1. Incubation Cycles
From ideation to production, ECSI creates the right environment for startups & SMEs to bloom by providing support through the various incubation stages until they are ready to fly solo.
2. Mentoring Programs & Workshops
ECSI provides comprehensive capacity-building services to startups & SMEs through mentoring, pre-incubation & incubation cycles, individual mentoring sessions & awareness campaigns.
To increase implementation capabilities for startups & SMEs, ECSI offers learning programs that provide technical know-how & implementation tools, enabling entrepreneurs to turn ideas into reality &/or scale up their existing startups.
ECSI offers various workshops on various entrepreneurship skills to raise awareness about the challenges we face locally, regionally & globally.
The workshops are followed up by boot-camps & hackathons to present innovative solutions and opportunities’ matching making.
3. Networking and Funding
ECSI provides entrepreneurs with access to a strong network of market professionals & investors in multiple industries to facilitate the execution of innovative ideas & researches; by arranging finely curated meetups, roundtable & panel discussions
4. Impact Measurement & Evaluation
We help startups measure and evaluate the community impact of their green businesses on the societal and environmental scales, to ensure they are achieving their sustainability goals. Our data-driven approach allows us to provide actionable insights and recommendations for continuous improvement in a business’s sustainability practices. By partnering with us, startups are able to showcase their commitment to environmental responsibility, and consequently attract socially conscious consumers.
5. Business & Legal Clinic
We offer legal & business consultancy for startups/SMEs to accelerate their growth, help them join our joint incubation programs, or access funds & investors. Our team of experienced professionals provides personalized guidance tailored to the needs and goals of each business, thus empowering them to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.
6. Entrepreneurial Lounge & Coworking Space
ECSI always welcomes entrepreneurial gatherings!
Consequently, we open our doors to entrepreneurs, startups & SMEs, offering an entrepreneurial lounge & co-working space.
The space is fully equipped with the tools & resources required for a dynamic work environment, such as high-speed internet, lockers & printing services.
The lounge offers a space where entrepreneurs are able to network and exchange ideas, thus fostering creativity & collaborations. It also offers room for students, mentors & industry experts to brainstorm, develop business plans & receive feedback.
We also host & curate workshops, guest lectures & monster talks from successful entrepreneurs to keep you continuously inspired & add value.
7. Alumni Support
ECSI allows HU students to join a thriving entrepreneurial community, so we encourage contact between the students & graduates, to foster a community where they can continue to learn, work together, and get advice from other green business owners who have reached further phases.
8. Competitions & Clubs
ECSI recognizes the importance of competition in fostering innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship among students.
Therefore, we actively seek out and provide information on various National & International competitions that are relevant and beneficial to HU students. These competitions range from business plan competitions, hackathons, innovation challenges, to pitching events.
9. Fabrication Lab
We offer a space for fashion industry manufacturing & production which provides a range of services including 3D printing, laser cutting, fashion design machines, and more.
These services are often available to community startups/SMEs, providing individuals and organizations with access to advanced manufacturing technologies that were once only available to large corporations and research institutions.