Cairo – Oriental Weavers, a leading global manufacturer of woven carpets, concluded its “Weavers of the Future” program in partnership with Gemini Africa, reaffirming its commitment to supporting innovation, digital transformation, and fostering entrepreneurship in Egypt’s textile and home furnishings sector. The closing ceremony was held at the OW Haptech Store, which embodies the company’s vision for innovation and digital advancement, and its pursuit of connecting creativity with real market opportunities.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Yasmine Khamis, Chairperson of Oriental Weavers Carpet Company, said: “The Tomorrow’s Weavers program reflects our belief that the sustainable growth of the industry stems from collaboration. By linking entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and providing real market access, we are working to build a stronger and more competitive textile ecosystem, capable of expanding globally while preserving its local roots, and accelerating the pace of innovation across the various stages of the value chain, thus achieving shared added value for the sector as a whole.”

Over 18 months, the program attracted nearly 500 applications and guided startups through a comprehensive journey encompassing pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration phases. Thirty startups were selected for the pre-incubation phase, which focused on building their business foundations and preparing them for market entry. This resulted in seven companies receiving corporate social responsibility funding, while two progressed to the incubation phase. The incubation phase included 20 startups that benefited from specialized mentorship programs, capacity building, opportunities to engage with the industry, and direct market access. Five startups were selected to establish "store-within-store" partnerships within Oriental Weavers' major branches.

For his part, Eng. Adly Toma, Chairman and CEO of Gemini Africa, said: “The Tomorrow’s Weavers program reflects our belief and partnership in the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable growth for traditional industries. When entrepreneurship is integrated with innovation, digital transformation, and real market access, it becomes possible to build a more competitive and scalable industrial ecosystem. Our collaboration with Oriental Weavers goes beyond supporting startups, as we work to integrate innovation within the value chain and connect entrepreneurs with real market opportunities, contributing to job creation, long-term growth, and enabling local talent to compete and grow at the regional and global levels.”

The program concluded with a final showcase and exhibition at the OW Haptech Store in Mivida, where 15 startups presented their projects to a high-level judging panel comprised of Yasmine Khamis, Samar Raouf, Adly Touma, and Mohamed Samir. Several startups demonstrated promising potential for long-term collaboration and investment during the acceleration phase.

Through the “Weavers of the Future” program, Oriental Weavers and Gemini Africa continue to support and develop talent, accelerate digital and industrial innovation, and contribute to preparing the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of the textile and home furnishings sector in Egypt.

About the Oriental Weavers Group:

Founded in 1979 by industrialist Mohamed Farid Khamis, Oriental Weavers Group has grown from a single loom to become a world leader in woven carpets. For over 45 years, the group has built a rich legacy inspired by Egypt's 5,000-year-old textile heritage. The company believes in a mission to spread joy and comfort in every piece of its creation that reaches across the globe.

The group employs over 19,000 people across 28 factories in Egypt and the United States, producing more than 150 million square meters of carpet annually. It sells 48 carpets every minute through more than 260 showrooms in Egypt and exports its products to over 118 countries. Its archive includes more than 4.5 million unique designs, reflecting unparalleled diversity, innovation, and exceptional craftsmanship.

The group is a trusted partner to leading global hospitality organizations, as well as numerous government and administrative buildings worldwide. From its local heritage to its global leadership, Oriental Weavers continues to set the standard, weaving comfort, quality, and innovation into every space.

About Gemini Africa

Gemini Africa is a leading integrated organization dedicated to empowering and supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It provides diverse investment and financial solutions, opens new avenues for business opportunities, and launches innovative programs targeting youth and entrepreneurs. The company operates in two main areas: social entrepreneurship and creative industries, with a particular focus on women's empowerment and contributing to economic empowerment and the development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Egypt.

As part of its mission to unlock opportunities in untapped sectors, Gemini Africa pioneered Cinematheque, the world’s first entrepreneurial pathway specifically designed for the creative industries. Cinematheque aims to develop the film industry by introducing technological solutions through entrepreneurship. As the intellectual property owner of this unique pathway, Gemini Africa is continuously expanding its services to address gaps in the creative industries ecosystem and extend its activities to encompass multiple creative sectors.

Building on a proven track record of impactful programs in Greater Cairo and Upper Egypt, Gemini Africa has developed:

• strong knowledge base
• A wide network of local experts and partners
• A robust database of system stakeholders

This enables the company to accurately identify gaps, understand the needs of young people, and design innovative programs tailored to address challenges. Thanks to its ambitious vision, Gemini Africa's impact has extended beyond Egypt to the African continent, where it strives not only to support startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) but also to tackle socioeconomic challenges and create sustainable business opportunities for all.

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