Starting a business is no easy feat, and it requires a combination of passion, dedication, and hard work. For me and my friend Basel, our journey as entrepreneurs began with Startup Factory, an entrepreneurship program sponsored by the US embassy in Egypt. The program’s goal was to empower and increase the skills of Egyptian youth and to provide them with the support and resources they need to launch their own viable startups.
When we first heard about the Startup Factory, we were immediately drawn to the opportunity it presented. We had always dreamed of starting our own business, and we saw the program as a way to turn our dream into a reality. So, we applied and were accepted into the program.
The Startup Factory was an intense and immersive experience. It pushed us to our limits as we worked to develop our idea for Diyafa, an Airbnb-like startup for rental and accommodation that primarily targeted the Egyptian market. We spent long hours brainstorming, researching, and prototyping, and we received valuable guidance and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts.
Despite the challenges we faced, we found the Startup Factory to be an incredibly enriching experience. We learned so much about the process of starting a business, and we were able to collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs who shared our passion and vision. We were also able to build a strong network of contacts and resources that we could lean on as we moved forward with our business.
Unfortunately, we could not make the dream of Diyafa a reality, and we ended up putting the business on hold for a while. However, we cannot deny that the Startup Factory was an invaluable experience that taught us so much about entrepreneurship and helped shape our careers as business owners.
Looking back on our time in Startup Factory, we are grateful for the opportunity it provided us and the lessons we learned along the way. It was a challenging and rewarding journey, and we are proud to have been a part of it.