Exploring the Role of Not-For-Profit Incubators in Enhancing Innovative Impact-Driven Social Entrepreneurship in Egypt /Hany Mostafa Aly ElSharkawy

Supervisor:
Alaa Eldin Adris

Project (M.A.)—Nile University, Egypt, 2024.

"Includes bibliographical references"

Contents:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COPYRIGHT .................................................................................................................................. 3
DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................ 4
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 7
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................... 10
LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... 11
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ 12
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 13
CHAPTER 2: EXPLORING THE DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: FROM
CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS TO INCUBATOR CONTRIBUTIONS IN EGYPT ............ 15
Section 2.1: Definition Of Social Entrpreneurship ................................................................... 15
Section 2.2: Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem ...................................................................... 17
Section 2.3: Egypt’s Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem ........................................................ 20
Trends .................................................................................................................................... 20
Social Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, opportunities, and Challenges ....................................... 21
Section 2.4: Hybrid Model Of Social Enterprises (SEs) ........................................................... 30
Section 2.5: Open Innovation And Its Benefits To Sustainability In Social Enterprises .......... 32
Section 2.6: Technology Transfer ............................................................................................. 34
Section 2.7: Commercialisation And Scaling Up Of Social Enterprises .................................. 37
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Section 2.8: Incubators’ Contribution To The Sustainability And Scalability Of Social
Enterprises ................................................................................................................................. 39
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.......................................................................... 42
Section 3.1: Research Gap ........................................................................................................ 42
Section 3.2: Problem Statement ................................................................................................ 43
Section 3.3: Research Main Objective ...................................................................................... 44
Section 3.4: Research Objectives .............................................................................................. 44
Section 3.5: Research Significance ........................................................................................... 45
Section 3.6: Research Methodology .......................................................................................... 46
Journal of Interviewees ......................................................................................................... 48
Coding Table ......................................................................................................................... 49
CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ........................................................................... 51
SECTION 4.1: Not-For-Profit Incubators Profile ..................................................................... 53
Government Lead Not-for-Profit Incubators ................................................................... 53
University Not-for-Profit Incubators ................................................................................ 58
Ngo-Sponsored Not-for-Profit Incubators ............................................................................ 61
Section 4.2: Structuring Support Efforts ................................................................................... 64
Pre-incubation Support .......................................................................................................... 65
Business Incubation (In-kind) Support ................................................................................. 70
Section 4.3: Facilitation Support Efforts ............................................................................... 75
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Lack of Government support? ........................................................................................... 76
Access to finance as a means to a sustainable and scalable social business model ........ 78
Section 4.4: Challenges That Inhibit Scalability And Financial Sustainability Of IISEs . 82
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................... 87
Section 5.1: Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 87
Section 5.2: Recommendations ............................................................................................... 89
Section 5.3: Study Limitation And Future Research ........................................................... 92
Study Limitation .................................................................................................................. 92
Future Research .................................................................................................................. 93
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 95
APPENDIX 1: INCUBATORS PROFILES ........................................................................... 102
GOVERNMENT LEAD SOCIAL INCUBATORS AND SUPPORT
ORGANISATIONS ........................................................................................................... 102
UNIVERSITY SOCIAL INCUBATORS AND SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS ....... 115
NGO-SPONSORED SOCIAL INCUBATORS AND SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS

Abstract:
This research investigates the ecosystem of social entrepreneurship in Egypt, with
a particular focus on the role of not-for-profit incubators in supporting Innovative
Impact-Driven Social Enterprises (IISEs). The study aims to understand how these
incubators contribute to the scalability and financial sustainability of IISEs amidst
the challenges and opportunities within the Egyptian context. Utilising a qualitative
methodology, the research integrates a comprehensive literature review with semistructured interviews involving eight managers from diverse not-for-profit
incubators, including governmental, university-affiliated, and NGO-operated
entities.
The analysis model developed from the interviews and literature review delineates
the support structure into two main categories: structuring support efforts, including
pre-incubation and in-kind support, and facilitation support efforts, such as
government support and access to finance. This model also explores the profile of
not-for-profit incubators, detailing their mission, services, strategic partnerships,
and the challenges they face in fostering the growth of IISEs.
Findings highlight that not-for-profit incubators provide critical seed funding and
in-kind services for business development, market validation, and legal support,
culminating in Demo Day events for connecting startups with potential investors.
However, the study identifies significant operational and structural challenges that
impede the effectiveness of these support mechanisms, including regulatory
hurdles, funding limitations, and the need for more strategic alignment among
support entities.
The research underscores the importance of a collaborative and integrated approach
among not-for-profit incubators, government bodies, and private sector stakeholders
to enhance the ecosystem's support for IISEs. By addressing the identified
challenges and leveraging the strengths of the support mechanisms, the study
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contributes to the broader objective of fostering a conducive environment for the
growth and sustainability of social enterprises in Egypt, thereby enhancing their
social impact and financial viability.
Keywords: access to finance, not-for-profit Incubation, Egyptian social
entrepreneurship ecosystem, Scaling Impact, resilient social business, innovative
impact-driven social enterprises, financial sustainability.

Text in English, abstracts in English and Arabic