Entlaq, Egypt’s leading entrepreneurship research and strategic advisory think tank, and El Gouna Red Sea by Orascom Development, one of the region’s most prominent sustainable and integrated destinations, have announced the renewal of their strategic partnership to host the fourth edition of the Egyptian Entrepreneurship Sector Diagnostics Report (SDR) 2026 Summit.
Scheduled to take place from September 10–12, 2026, in El Gouna, the summit will bring together government officials, policymakers, investors, startup founders, venture capital leaders, development institutions, corporate executives, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders from Egypt and across the region.
Held under the theme “Data × Innovation: Re-imagining Egypt’s Entrepreneurship Landscape,” the summit aims to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, foster collaboration, and accelerate innovation-driven economic growth through data-backed insights and meaningful dialogue.
Egypt’s Premier Entrepreneurship and Innovation Gathering
The SDR Summit has become one of Egypt’s most influential entrepreneurship and innovation events, providing a platform where stakeholders can discuss opportunities, challenges, investment trends, and emerging developments shaping the country's startup ecosystem.
The summit serves as the official launch platform for the Egyptian Entrepreneurship Sector Diagnostics Report (SDR) 2026, a comprehensive annual report designed to support:
Policymakers and government entities
Venture capital firms and investors
Startup founders and entrepreneurs
Development finance institutions
Corporate innovation leaders
Research and ecosystem development organizations
By providing reliable data, sector analysis, and ecosystem intelligence, the report helps stakeholders better understand Egypt’s entrepreneurial landscape and identify growth opportunities across key sectors.
Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership
Commenting on the partnership, Omar Rezk, Managing Director of Entlaq, said:
"We are proud to continue our partnership with El Gouna by Orascom Development to host the SDR Summit. El Gouna represents a leading model that successfully combines sustainability, innovation, and quality of experience. We believe impactful dialogue and meaningful partnerships require an environment that brings together decision-makers, investors, and entrepreneurs in an inspiring setting, which El Gouna provides exceptionally well."
He added:
"The SDR Report represents an important step toward building a data-driven national reference that supports policymaking, strengthens Egypt’s competitiveness, and reinforces its position as a regional hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment."
Haytham Samir, Chief Commercial Officer at El Gouna, stated:
"Hosting the SDR Summit for the second consecutive year reflects El Gouna’s long-standing role as a destination that supports business growth, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. Following the strong impact and international reach achieved by last year’s edition, we are proud to continue supporting a platform that brings together key voices shaping Egypt’s entrepreneurship and investment landscape."
He further noted:
"Beyond tourism and hospitality, El Gouna demonstrates how integrated destinations can contribute to economic development by creating an environment where businesses, entrepreneurs, and emerging industries can grow and thrive within a connected ecosystem. Our partnership with Entlaq aligns with this vision and our broader commitment to supporting innovation and sustainable economic growth across Egypt and the region."
Why El Gouna Was Selected
El Gouna was selected as the host destination due to its:
World-class infrastructure
Strong sustainability initiatives
Innovation-focused environment
International accessibility
Proven ability to facilitate high-level networking and collaboration
Track record of hosting global business and investment events
Its unique ecosystem provides an ideal setting for strategic discussions, partnership development, and investment engagement, reinforcing the summit’s position as a premier platform for entrepreneurship and innovation in the Middle East and North Africa region.
SDR 2026: A Data-Driven View of Egypt’s Startup Ecosystem
The launch of the Egyptian Entrepreneurship Sector Diagnostics Report 2026 (SDR 2026) continues Entlaq’s mission of developing a comprehensive annual reference for Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This year’s edition will examine ten key sectors of the Egyptian economy:
Focus Sectors Covered in SDR 2026
FinTech
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
HealthTech
AgriFood
CleanTech
EdTech
Tourism
Creative Economy
Logistics & Mobility
Policy & Ecosystem Development
The selected sectors align with Egypt’s economic development priorities and highlight industries with significant potential for innovation, investment, job creation, and sustainable growth.
International Participation and Ecosystem Representation
The SDR Summit 2026 is expected to attract:
Event Highlights
500+ attendees
Delegates from more than 12 countries
Startup founders and entrepreneurs
Venture capital firms and angel investors
Government representatives and policymakers
Development finance institutions
Corporate innovation leaders
International organizations
15–20 international investors
More than 29 expert speakers
The event will provide participants with opportunities to exchange insights, explore partnerships, discover investment opportunities, and contribute to discussions shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Egypt and the wider region.
Three Days of High-Level Dialogue, Insights, and Networking
The summit will officially commence on September 10, 2026, with the launch of the SDR 2026 report and a high-level dialogue session featuring representatives from:
Government institutions
Policy-making bodies
Regional and local investment funds
Financial institutions
Multinational corporations
Entrepreneurship ecosystem leaders
The opening day will conclude with an official reception designed to encourage networking and stakeholder engagement.
Over the three-day program, participants can expect:
Specialized sector-focused discussions
Data-driven ecosystem insights
Networking opportunities
Strategic partnership-building sessions
Exclusive investor engagement activities
Startup-investor matchmaking opportunities
Cross-border collaboration discussions
Innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem workshops
The summit will also facilitate direct interactions between leading regional and international venture capital firms and some of Egypt’s most promising startups, helping foster new investment and growth opportunities.
About the SDR Summit
The Egyptian Entrepreneurship Sector Diagnostics Report (SDR) Summit is an annual platform dedicated to advancing Egypt’s entrepreneurship ecosystem through research, dialogue, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. By bringing together stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, the summit contributes to shaping policies, encouraging investment, and accelerating innovation-led economic development in Egypt and the region.
Event Date: September 10–12, 2026
Location: El Gouna, Egypt
Theme: Data × Innovation: Re-imagining Egypt’s Entrepreneurship Landscape
