I started this journey because I missed something deeply. I missed being part of a real community. Not a WhatsApp group. Not a LinkedIn comment section. A real, living, breathing community where access is easy, doors are open, conversations are honest, and people show up as they are. Three years ago, before Founders Live Cairo existed, I felt disconnected. I was working, hustling, freelancing, moving from one project to another, but there was a gap. I wasn’t surrounded by founders, operators, builders, or people who believed in creating things from nothing. I needed that energy. I needed that space. And instead of waiting for it to appear, I decided to try to build it.
Founders Live Cairo started as a feeling before it became a brand or an event. It started with a conversation. A friend of mine, Joe, introduced me to Nick. I still remember that discussion clearly. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t dramatic. It was honest. Joe wasn’t just making an introduction; he was opening a door. Joe is that kind of person. Once you speak to him once, you know he’s a friend. A brother. Someone who means well, who is calm, polite, deeply connected, and gets things done quietly. An institutional man in the truest sense. That introduction changed everything.
At that time, I had no safety net. I wasn’t part of a full-time entity. I was freelancing, trying to make a living, taking whatever work I could get, doing email marketing, outreach, operations, tech setup—everything. I was tech-savvy, very strong with email marketing, and I knew how to reach people. Some of you already know this about me. But knowing how to reach people and convincing them of a vision are two very different things.
I reached out to partners. Many partners. I struggled to pitch the idea. Some didn’t see the vision. Some didn’t believe. Some ignored me completely. Four months of hearing no, or worse, hearing nothing. Three months of going in circles, refining, doubting, trying again. There were days I questioned myself. Days I wondered if this was all a waste of time. Days I felt invisible.
But there were two things I always knew about myself, without doubt. I know how to run events. I know how to gather people in a room and make something happen. And I know how to represent a brand, build bridges from West to East, and localize ideas without losing their soul. This isn’t something I learned from a book. It comes from the deepest part of my heart. I knew that if I could just launch once—just once—everything else would follow.
Founders Live Cairo needed investment. It needed support. And then there was Khalid Khalil.
I will never forget him. Khalid is quiet. But he is powerful. He is talented, a leader in his industry, and one of the most genuine, heart-driven people I have ever met. Khalid Khalil, Managing Partner at Bolsters Advisory, was the first person who truly believed in me and in Founders Live. Not just with words, but with action. He used his connections with BM Lease to sponsor the first event. That moment changed everything. Someone finally said, “I see you. I believe in this.”
Planning the first event was chaos. Emotionally, mentally, physically. I needed calm, but everything around me was noise. I wanted the launch to be big. Friends and colleagues were coming. I made the invite public. I partnered with Consoleya as the first venue. And honestly, I was terrified. Would people show up? Would startups apply to pitch? Would anyone understand the 99-second format? This had never been done before in the Middle East. We weren’t just launching an event. We were introducing a completely new way of engaging founders and audiences.
Then the day came.
120 people showed up. 🥳
I was shocked. I was overwhelmed. I was speechless. I couldn’t believe it was real. And in that moment, two things became very clear to me. First, the 99-second idea should never die. Second, the audience should not be passive. They should be part of the decision. That’s when I added the open mic and audience voting component. No judges. No investors deciding your fate. The audience decides. You control it. You vote. You speak. You matter.
I fell in love with Founders Live that day.
I couldn’t stop. The feeling was too strong. I believed deeply in the 99 seconds. I believed in giving people a voice. One event turned into two. Two into three. Then years passed. Partners came. Investors came. VCs showed up. Every event felt different, but the energy was always real. It was a journey worth telling.
Along the way, incredible people carried this forward with me.
AbdelRahim Afifi deserves more than a thank-you; he deserves a pause. He is one of those rare people who give before they ask, who support before they calculate, and who show up without needing recognition. Lawyer, trainer, entrepreneur, investor—yes—but more importantly, a deeply human presence in this journey. From the very beginning, AbdelRahim didn’t treat Founders Live as an “event.” He treated it as a cause. He understood what we were trying to build before it was fully formed. He saw the value in empowering founders, in giving people a stage, and in creating a space where voices matter.
What always amazes me about AbdelRahim is that he never asked for anything in return. He sponsored events, supported entrepreneurs directly, gave advice, opened doors, and offered help quietly. No noise. No ego. Just presence. In moments where things were heavy, where pressure was high and uncertainty loud, AbdelRahim was steady. He reminded me that good people still exist in ecosystems, that generosity is not dead, and that leadership can be calm and kind. Having him on this journey didn’t just help Founders Live grow—it reminded me why I started in the first place.
Nick Hughes – Founder & CEO, Founders Live
Nick Hughes is the reason Founders Live exists anywhere in the world. Thirteen years ago, he had a vision—long before “ecosystems” became a buzzword, long before pitch competitions were everywhere. Nick believed that founders needed visibility, not just capital. That audiences should be part of the decision-making. That entrepreneurship should feel alive, human, and accessible. He didn’t just imagine it—he built it, city by city, culture by culture.
What people don’t always see is the patience behind that vision. Growing Founders Live globally was never about speed for Nick. It was about integrity. About protecting the soul of the idea while allowing it to adapt locally. When he trusted me with the Middle East, that trust meant everything. I wasn’t just launching events; I was carrying a philosophy. Nick’s guidance, calm direction, and belief gave me space to grow, to fail, to adjust, and to lead authentically. Without Nick’s long-term vision, discipline, and belief in people, Founders Live would not be a global movement—and it certainly wouldn’t be here today in our region.
MINT EG Bank – Abdelrahman Hatem, Karim, and Mariam
MINT EGBANK didn’t just host us—they carried us. For an entire year, their space became our home. Their team didn’t treat Founders Live as an external activity; they treated it as something they were part of. Abdelrahman Hatem, Karim, and Mariam were always present, always supportive, always solution-oriented. They believed that entrepreneurship isn’t something you sponsor once—it’s something you nurture consistently.
What stands out most is that MINT showed up even when it wasn’t easy. Hosting events takes time, energy, logistics, patience. They did it willingly. Repeatedly. With professionalism and warmth. Without their belief and operational support, sustaining the community during that critical phase would have been extremely difficult. MINT is not just a bank participating in the ecosystem—they are builders of it, and I will always acknowledge their role in keeping Founders Live Cairo alive and growing.
Reem and Nourhan didn’t just open doors; they opened cities. Cairo, Alexandria, Mansoura—Creativa became a bridge that allowed Founders Live to scale locally without losing its identity. They understood that community building doesn’t stop at the capital, and they believed deeply in decentralizing opportunity. Every time we needed space, alignment, or support, they were there—consistent, proactive, and welcoming.
What makes Reem and Nourhan special is that they didn’t see Founders Live as “someone else’s initiative.” They treated it as shared ground. They trusted us, empowered us, and helped us grow chapters that felt authentic to each city. Their belief in what we were doing gave legitimacy, stability, and confidence to founders across Egypt. That kind of partnership is rare, and it changed the trajectory of our expansion.
Deel Team – Special thanks to Tarek, Head of MENA
The Deel team flying from Dubai to Cairo was not a small gesture—it was a powerful one. It showed commitment beyond geography. Tarek, as Head of MENA, understood that supporting ecosystems isn’t about logos on banners; it’s about presence. Deel didn’t just sponsor—they showed up. They listened. They engaged with founders on the ground.
That support sent a message to the local community: global companies care. They are watching. They are willing to invest time, energy, and belief in local ecosystems. Tarek’s leadership and the Deel team’s involvement added credibility and momentum to the event, and I will always respect that level of genuine engagement.
Ahmed El-Menshawi is relentless in the best possible way. From day one, his desire was clear: grow the community, support the team, and make Founders Live stronger. He didn’t wait to be asked. He invested time, energy, connections, and emotional support. He checked in. He followed up. He pushed things forward when momentum slowed.
What I admire most about Ahmed is his consistency. Growth doesn’t happen in one event—it happens between events, in conversations, in planning, in follow-through. Ahmed understood that, and he lived it. His support has been endless, and his presence has been grounding. He is not just a supporter of Founders Live—he is part of its backbone.
enpact stepped in during moments where support truly mattered. Noha and Ahmed didn’t just host us—they hosted us on weekends, after long workweeks, when rest would have been the easier choice. Yet they showed up. Every time. Doors open. Space ready. Energy present.
What makes their support powerful is intention. They believe in founders. They believe in access. They believe in community. Hosting events is not easy—it disrupts routines, demands coordination, and takes effort. enpact gave all of that willingly. Their commitment turned their space into a living ecosystem hub, and without them, many of our recent events simply wouldn’t have happened.
Karim believed before it was obvious. He invested his time, energy, and reputation into launching and growing Founders Live Dubai. Organizing events is not glamorous—it’s demanding, stressful, and often thankless. Yet Karim showed up with consistency and belief.
What makes Karim exceptional is ownership. He didn’t wait for instructions; he built. He organized, connected, executed, and pushed the chapter forward. Dubai didn’t just “start”—it was launched with intention, and Karim was the engine behind that. His belief in the community translated into action, and that’s leadership.
Youstina – Alexandria City Leader
Youstina launched Alexandria with strength and clarity. The first Alexandria event was astonishing—not just in attendance, but in energy. She proved that communities outside Cairo are hungry, capable, and ready. She didn’t hesitate. She stepped up.
Her ability to organize, connect people, and execute flawlessly showed what strong local leadership looks like. Youstina didn’t just run an event—she built trust. She made founders feel seen. Her work laid the foundation for Alexandria to become a real, living chapter, not just a one-off event.
Ahmed Hesham – Mansoura City Leader
Ahmed Hesham is building Mansoura with heart and persistence. He is connecting dots, bringing people together, and pushing forward even when things are slow or complex. He understands that building a chapter is not about one big moment—it’s about sustained effort.
What stands out about Ahmed is his patience. He listens. He coordinates. He aligns stakeholders. He is actively leading the chapter and making sure Mansoura shines. His belief in the community and his refusal to give up are exactly what grassroots leadership looks like.
Luis Antezana – Head of Brand, Founders Live
Luis is quiet, but he is the engine. Behind the scenes, globally, Luis is shaping how Founders Live is seen, felt, and understood. Branding is not design—it’s consistency, story, and discipline. Luis carries that responsibility with precision.
I deeply respect his professionalism, clarity, and long-term thinking. He understands that a global brand must feel local everywhere without losing its core. Working alongside him has been a privilege, and his impact on Founders Live globally is massive, even if not always visible.
Hisham Koshak - Riyad City Leader
Hisham in Riyadh deserves a chapter on his own. When I first spoke to him about Founders Live Riyadh, there was no hesitation, no long back-and-forth, no conditions. He opened his arms wide and simply said yes. That’s how Founders Live Riyadh was born. Hisham didn’t approach this as an event to be hosted; he approached it as a responsibility to the ecosystem. From day one, he treated the Riyadh chapter as something personal.
He listened deeply, asked the right questions, and immediately started connecting dots—people, spaces, ideas, opportunities. What struck me most was his generosity of spirit. He didn’t ask what he would get out of it; he asked how we could make it meaningful for founders in Riyadh. That mindset is rare. Hisham carries the weight of leadership quietly, with sincerity and intention. His belief in Founders Live came before any proof on the ground, and that kind of trust is what allows ecosystems to grow. Riyadh didn’t just get a chapter; it got a leader who genuinely cares about building something lasting.
Founders Live Cairo Volunteers
Our volunteers were the silent force behind everything, and I can never speak about this journey without pausing for them. Especially Maria and Omnia. They were pillars.
Organized, connected, reliable in ways that only people who truly care can be. They handled details others don’t see, anticipated problems before they appeared, and showed up consistently without needing recognition. Small roles on paper, massive impact in reality. Without them, nothing would have run smoothly—logistics, coordination, flow, energy.
They were always there, steady and present. And beyond Maria and Omnia, every volunteer who gave time, effort, and heart deserves acknowledgment. Volunteers are the backbone of any real community. They give without contracts, without guarantees, without spotlight. They show up because they believe. Every single one of them added something irreplaceable, and Founders Live would not feel the same without that collective generosity.
Maktabi was not just a venue or a sponsor for Founders Live Dubai — they were true partners in spirit. From the very first conversation, it was clear that Maktabi understood what we were trying to build: not an event, but a moment; not a stage, but a community.
Hosting Founders Live Dubai inside Maktabi was symbolic in itself. It brought founders into a space designed for ambition, focus, and growth. The team did not treat this as a transactional collaboration. They opened doors, solved problems before they surfaced, and stood shoulder to shoulder with us throughout the entire process.
Their support allowed the event to flow naturally, without friction, and created an environment where founders felt welcomed, respected, and energized. It is rare to find partners who genuinely care about the experience of every single person in the room, and Maktabi did exactly that.
Sofia Pereira’s support as a sponsor of Founders Live Dubai was truly impactful. From the very beginning, her approach was genuine, thoughtful, and grounded in a real belief in the value of community. She did not support the event from a distance — she was present, engaged, and intentional about making sure the experience worked for founders, speakers, and partners alike. Her backing gave us confidence and stability, and her trust in what we are building made a real difference. It is rare to find sponsors who support not just the event, but the idea behind it, and Sofia did exactly that. Her contribution helped elevate Founders Live Dubai and reinforced why the right partners matter just as much as the program itself.
To every founder who attended, pitched, listened, voted, spoke, asked questions, or simply showed up — this journey exists because of you. Founders Live only works when founders walk into the room with honesty and courage, and every edition reminds me why this format matters so much. The 99 seconds on stage are not about winning; they are about being seen. And every single founder who stepped up carried a story, a risk, and a dream that deserved space. The energy in the room, the applause, the conversations afterward — those moments are created by founders who choose to participate, not spectators who stay silent.
And to the winners — you earned it. Not because of a trophy or a vote, but because you stood your ground, communicated your vision, and connected with the audience in a real way. Winning at Founders Live is not an ending; it is an opening. An opening to conversations, connections, confidence, and next steps. But equally important are those who did not win and still stayed, still smiled, still supported others. That is the real spirit of this community. Founders Live belongs to everyone who believes that entrepreneurship is not a solo act, but a shared journey — and every single attendee, winner or not, is part of the story we continue to build together.
Closing – Why I’m Still Here
I am still here because this community carried me when I was empty.
There were days I felt lost. Days I wanted to quit. At least twice, I seriously thought about handing everything over to someone else. I was tired. Financially broken at times. Running events, inspiring people to push forward in their careers or startups, while I myself was looking for paid work. That contradiction was heavy. Painful. Real.
But every time I stepped back, the community pulled me forward. Local partners. City leaders. Volunteers. Sponsors. People who showed up not because it was easy, but because it mattered. They reminded me that this was bigger than my personal struggles.
Founders Live is not just something I organize. It is something I need. I created this community for myself before anyone else. I needed a place where access was open, where seniors and leaders spoke honestly, where founders weren’t reduced to pitch decks. I needed a room where people plan their future together.
That’s why I’m still alive doing this.
I don’t know everyone face to face yet. Many of you know me through emails, outreach, messages. My plan for 2026 is simple. Meet you. Talk to you. Sit with you. Learn from you.
Founders Live is not my company. The 99 seconds are not a format. They are ideas. And ideas like this don’t die.
Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas.
Life goes on.