Alexandria · October 2026

From business building to the next phase

SANAD ElevateHer brought founders to Alexandria to refine their pitches, present at Techne Summit and connect with partners. Twenty-two businesses now advance to further coaching and investment-readiness support.

Read the winner announcementMeet the founders
Nidal Tafah of MIRRIAH, Samantha Ainembabazi of Freza Nanotech, Mohamed Morsy of Finance in Motion and Sabrina Salama of Seedstars, representing SmartWTI, at the SANAD ElevateHer cash-prize presentation in Alexandria on 4 October 2026.
Nidal Tafah of MIRRIAH, Samantha Ainembabazi of Freza Nanotech, Mohamed Morsy of Finance in Motion and Sabrina Salama of Seedstars, representing SmartWTI, at the SANAD ElevateHer cash-prize presentation in Alexandria on 4 October 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Seedstars.

Building toward Alexandria

SANAD ElevateHer is delivered by Seedstars. This project is funded by the SANAD Fund for MSME through its advisory and capacity-building arm, which is managed by Finance in Motion GmbH. The program supports 38 startups from prototype development to growth stage, including women-led companies and businesses that expand women’s participation through ownership, leadership, employment or their customer base. It aims to address the capital constraints facing women entrepreneurs by helping founders strengthen their businesses, prepare for financing and build connections with investors and SANAD’s network of partner financial institutions.

The first phase combined workshops, individual mentoring and practical work on business models and growth. Training in Marrakech covered pricing and unit economics, business development, sales and investor readiness. Ahead of the Alexandria competition, a founders bootcamp focused on reviewing program milestones and refining investor and partner pitches through structured peer feedback and guidance from coaches and investors. The pitching marked a milestone in that acceleration journey.

The pitching and winner announcement

Following pitches at Techne Summit Alexandria at Bibliotheca Alexandrina on 3 October, the three cash-prize winners were announced the following evening at Seedstars Villa. The networking event brought together founders, partners and members of the entrepreneurship community.

MIRRIAH, led by CEO Nidal Tafah, supplies solar irrigation to smallholder farmers and trains rural women and young people to install and sell its systems. SmartWTI, led by CEO Hebah Asa'd, uses connected sensors to monitor water consumption and detect leaks. Freza Nanotech, represented by COO Samantha Ainembabazi, develops products designed to preserve fruit and vegetables where cold storage is limited.

A group photograph on the competition stage during the SANAD ElevateHer pitch-day activities in Alexandria on 3 October 2026.
A group photograph on the competition stage during the SANAD ElevateHer pitch-day activities in Alexandria on 3 October 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Seedstars.

What comes next

The 22 selected businesses across nine participating markets will now receive further coaching and investment-readiness support, including tailored guidance on fundraising, partnerships and scaling. The three cash-prize winners are included in the 22 selected businesses.

Explore all 22 selected startups and the full announcement.

Samantha Ainembabazi of Freza Nanotech with Sabrina Salama of Seedstars and Mohamed Morsy of Finance in Motion at Freza Nanotech’s SANAD ElevateHer cash-prize presentation at Seedstars Villa in Alexandria on 4 October 2026.
Samantha Ainembabazi of Freza Nanotech with Sabrina Salama of Seedstars and Mohamed Morsy of Finance in Motion at Freza Nanotech’s SANAD ElevateHer cash-prize presentation at Seedstars Villa in Alexandria on 4 October 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Seedstars.

Meet the cohort and connect

Browse the Founder Atlas for company and founder profiles, or learn more about the program. For photographs and interview enquiries, contact Michaela Villaroman.