The ETENA Idea Marathon: Empowering Tourism Innovators in Egypt

Empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions for travel and tourism in Egypt

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 in tourism and tourism supply chains across Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, providing them with tailored business development support and financial backing opportunities through four phases of key activities: Idea Marathon, 2-month Pre-incubator, 6-month Incubator, and a regional 3-month Accelerator.

In its Ideation phase, the ETENA programme aims to empower 25 teams of future entrepreneurs who have digital ideas in tourism in Egypt with tailored business development support. The purpose is to help them develop concepts for innovative solutions that can promote local experiences, drive job creation, and by extension, create inclusive social impact.

Stage 1: Idea Marathon

Through a nationwide open call for applications, 25 teams will be selected to join the ETENA Idea Marathon and receive training and resources to facilitate rapid ideation.

Stage 2: Pre-incubation

Through the ETENA Idea Marathon, 12 teams will be selected to receive two months of training, access to workstations and comprehensive support to conceptualise and prototype their ideas.

By the conclusion of Stage 2, ETENA’s 6-month incubator will launch with 4 teams, each receiving access to tailored training, dedicated mentoring, and direct financial support of 500 Euros per month, along with permanent access to workstations at the enpact hub in Zamalek.

When applying to join the business incubator, the teams participating in the second phase will be subject to specific selection criteria. These teams must demonstrate significant progress in developing their prototypes and present solutions to the challenges announced within the programme’s framework.

Be part of the ETENA ideation phase
Apply now

25 ideas - One challenge

Digital Transformation for Enhanced Tourist Engagement — Leverage emerging technologies to create personalised travel experiences. From seamless planning to interactive on-site adventures, your innovation can engage tourists while empowering local businesses operating in Egypt’s tourism and tourism supply chains.

The challenges were identified by relevant experts and stakeholders in the Egyptian travel and tourism sector.

Download this document for more details about the challenge and eligibility criteria for your idea

How does ETENA support you?

Nationwide competition

Be part of a cohort of +20 teams joining the ETENA Marathon where you can connect with industry experts, peer entrepreneurs, and relevant stakeholders.

Conceptualisation & pitch training

Receive the extra help you need in a two-day training to translate your innovative idea into a viable business concept and learn how to pitch it perfectly.

Networking events

Access a global network of entrepreneurs, mentors and regional ecosystem experts in tourism where you can exchange insights and find areas for growth.

Pre-incubation opportunity

Pitch your idea to industry experts for a chance to prototype your solution through two months of intensive business development training and dedicated mentoring.

Fixed workstations

The ETENA participants will have access to physical workspaces at the enpact hub in Zamalek with full amenities throughout the programme’s duration.

Financial support opportunity

Each team in the ETENA incubator receives 500 Euros per month, enabling them to focus their time and energy on developing their MVPs.

ETENA’s Ideation & Pre-incubation Timeline

5 April 2025

Call for applications launch

20 April 2025

Applications close. Selection process starts

10 May 2025

Idea marathon (25 teams)

May & June

2-month pre-incubation (12 teams)

July 2025

Pitch day

How does it work?

Take a look through the steps to find out what to expect from the ETENA Idea Marathon 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 challenges and 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 accepted 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 Idea Marathon?

We’re on the lookout for teams of aspiring entrepreneurs who:

  • consist of at least two members (including the team leader).
  • are gender-balanced or women-led.
  • have an innovative idea for tourism in Egypt.
  • graduated or currently enrolled in an Egyptian or internationally recognised university.

To qualify for the programme’s initial phase — the ETENA Marathon – your team should submit an idea that:

  • is tackling the announced focus challenge directly or indirectly.
  • is innovative or with disruptive characteristics that do not exist in the market.
  • has the potential to be scaled up and marketed commercially.
  • has the potential to generate social and economic impact within local communities.

In order to be selected through the ETENA Marathon for the following phases, individuals must fulfil all the eligibility criteria listed above. They should also:

  • legally reside in Egypt (including permission to gainful employment).
  • have an entrepreneurial mindset.
  • be available to commit to developing and commercialising their solution.

Teams 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.

Application deadline has been extended to the 28th of April, 11:59 pm (CEST). If you have already submitted an application, please keep an eye on your e-mail this month; we will be reaching out to you regarding your application status.

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.

Be part of the ETENA ideation phase
Apply now

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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