Young start-ups shaping Egypt's future

Six months into the revolution and with elections due in the Fall, Egypt is working to rebuild its ailing economy. Unemployment rose from just under 9% to almost 12% in the first quarter of this year and GDP fell by 4%, according to Trading Economics -- and tourism has dropped dramatically.

Despite the tough conditions, many young entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the new-found optimism to start businesses and help build their country's economic future.

The U.S. State Department and the Danish government recently sent a delegation of young American entrepreneurs to Egypt to mentor a group of Egyptian start-ups.

During the NexGen IT Entrepreneurs Boot Camp they ran, four winning Egyptian start-ups were chosen to take an internship at an American company or a further three-month boot camp in Denmark.
It means a lot to be starting a business at this optimistic time.

Mike Ducker, of the U.S. State Department's Global Entrepreneurship Program said in a press release: "Building a successful entrepreneurial community is critical for pointing the way towards building a strong economy in Egypt.

"The Middle East is striving to become the next global center of entrepreneurship, and Egypt is a central focal point of small business activity in the region."

Here, we profile the four winning young Egyptian high-tech entrepreneurs who are hoping to be the country's business leaders of the future.