ETENA Accelerator: Scaling Tourism Innovation Across Egypt, Tunisia & Morocco

Empowering tourism innovators and the future shapers of rural tourism across Egypt, Tunisia & Morocco

Launched by TUI Care Foundation and enpact, the Empowering Tourism Ecosystems in North Africa (ETENA) programme focuses on supporting 100 aspiring entrepreneurs and 10 startup founders across Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco through tailored business development support and funding opportunities. The programme runs through four phases: Idea Marathon, 2-month Pre-incubator, 6-month Incubator, and a regional 3-month Accelerator.

In its accelerator phase, the ETENA programme is designed to support 10 tourism founders, across Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, with a 3-month regional experience that includes tailored business training, peer-to-peer exchange, and exposure to regional stakeholders. Participating founders will take part in two startup camps in Egypt, receive mentoring and investor-readiness support, and gain access to a strong cross-border network of tourism experts and partners.

The purpose of the ETENA Accelerator is to equip tourism founders with the tools, knowledge, and regional connections they need to scale their businesses, strengthen their impact on rural tourism, promote authentic local experiences, and contribute to job creation and sustainable development across North Africa.

10 founders – One mission

Sustainable & Scalable Rural Tourism Innovations — Present established solutions that foster authentic, inclusive, and environmentally responsible travel experiences across rural destinations in Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. Your startup can strengthen connections between travellers and local communities; broaden access to nature-based and cultural experiences; promote eco-friendly hospitality and mobility; and reinforce community-led value chains—ensuring tourism growth supports livelihoods and protects natural and cultural heritage.

Download this document for more details about the focus areas and eligibility criteria. (1.1 MB PDF)

Applications closed.

How does ETENA Accelerator support you?

Regional startup camps in Egypt

Participate in two intensive, week-long camps designed to accelerate growth, provide strategic insights, expand your cross-country network, and connect you with regional investors and partners.

Dedicated mentoring & coaching

Receive personalised guidance through one-on-one mentoring sessions with experienced tourism and entrepreneurship experts who will support your scale-up journey.

Tailored business training

Get equipped with comprehensive training, delivered online or through hybrid sessions by international experts, to refine your business model, strengthen operations, and build strategies for regional growth.

Workstations in Zamalek

Work with your team from a fully-equipped, serene space at the enpact hub in Zamalek, Cairo, available to you whenever you visit the city. It will be your perfect spot to also meet with peers and experts, exchange ideas and stay inspired.

Meetups & networking events

Get invited regular gatherings to expand your network by connecting with with other founders, tourism stakeholders, and ecosystem leaders across Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco.

ETENA Accelerator’s Timeline

27 November 2025

Call for applications launches

25 December 2025

Applications close. Selection process starts

Jan 2026

Kick-off bootcamp (Fully-covered)

Jan - March 2026

Mentoring & Workshops

March 2026

Sustainability bootcamp (Fully-covered)

How does it work?

Take a look through the steps to find out what to expect from the ETENA Accelerator and how to prepare.

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    Join the ETENA network

    By signing up for the ETENA programme’s network, you will receive industry insights, invitations to regular networking events, and access to a global network of regional and international experts.

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    Review the focus areas and eligibility criteria

    Read the announced challenges in the call for ideas carefully, and review the eligibility criteria and requirements. We advise downloading this document for easy reference.

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    Prepare the needed information

    We advise you to go through the application form once before applying. You will need to prepare a scan of your national ID, your CV/Resume, and a brief of your digital idea as you apply.

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    Fill out the application form

    Complete the application form; please note that this is the only way for us to be able to consider your application, as we don’t accept submissions by e-mail or other formats. If you need support with filling in the form, please feel free to reach out to shc@enpact.org

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    Check your e-mail

    You will receive an e-mail with the status of your application within three weeks. The e-mail will notify you if you are shortlisted, so that you can prepare for a quick interview, or share feedback in case we are unable to accommodate you in the programme. Please make sure to also regularly check spam.

Who can apply for the ETENA Accelerator?

We are looking for tourism startup founders with scalable, impact-driven startups that:

  • are based in Egypt, Tunisia, or Morocco, 
  • are operating a legally registered tourism startup in their respective country,
  • have graduated from internationally recognized university in the last seven years,
  • are committed to driving positive social, economic, or environmental impact in rural communities, and
  • be available to commit to the full 3-month accelerator programme, including the startup camps.

To qualify for the ETENA Accelerator, your startup should

  • be tourism-focused, addressing rural tourism challenges or opportunities,
  • demonstrate market traction and a validated business model,
  • show clear scalability and investment-readiness,
  • have the potential to create long-term social and economic impact, and
  • be registered in one of the three focus countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco).

Founders of startups that foster diversity and aim to create sustainable social, economic and/or ecological impact through their solutions are given priority in the selection process. This priority aligns with our dedicated focus on promoting inclusion, gender equality and sustainable practices.

Applications closed.

If your application is shortlisted, we will be reaching out to schedule an interview. The email will notify you if your application is accepted or share feedback in case we are unable to accommodate you in the programme. Please make sure to also regularly check your spam.

You can always e-mail us at shc@enpact.org to receive support with your application within 24 hours of your request. Please note that this is the only official support channel for the ETENA programme and the only way to guarantee a timely response.

Program partners

The programme was developed and is being implemented by enpact Stiftung. It is powered and supported by TUI Care Foundation, within the framework of TUI Care Foundation’s Empowering Communities Initiative.

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