The American University in Cairo Venture Lab (V-Lab) is the first university-based startup accelerator in Egypt. Oxfam’s Youth Participation and Employment (YPE) programme in Egypt partnered with V-Lab to support youth in entrepreneurship and business startups. V-Lab provides dynamic business support to entrepreneurs with innovative and scalable ideas. Its work has brought about change in Egypt’s culture and business environment. In this case study, YPE and V-Lab make useful recommendations on how to strengthen the sustainability and growth of entrepreneurship in Egypt. V-Lab’s other initiatives include connecting graduates with potential investors. The accelerator’s startups have played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic by helping to create employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly.
An Oasis of Civic Engagement?: Considering Critical Dispositions Developed within the American University in Cairo
