The INJAZ Egypt Alumni Journey: How Amr Elsharaby Became a Boardroom Voice for Future Entrepreneurs

Ten years after his first pitch on the INJAZ stage, Amr returns—not as a competitor, but as a Board Member, mentor, and catalyst for young dreamers in Egypt.

Introduction:

“From student to mentor to board member.” That’s how Amr Elsharaby begins his LinkedIn post—marking a pivotal milestone in his INJAZ Egypt alumni journey. What began as a nervous student pitch over a decade ago has transformed into something much larger: a leadership role at the national level in one of Egypt’s most respected startup mentorship programs.

Ten years after first stepping onto the INJAZ stage as a high school participant, Amr returned—not as a competitor, but as a mentor, coach, and newly appointed board member of INJAZ Egypt. The venue was familiar—Cairo American College—but the moment was anything but routine. It wasn’t just personal growth on display; it was a case study in how alumni, when empowered to return, become pillars of the very ecosystems that once shaped them.

In a country where youth unemployment, startup failure rates, and brain drain remain pressing concerns, stories like Amr’s offer a counter-narrative—one where the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Egypt is strengthened not just by new programs, but by deep, cyclical engagement. His return reflects the full arc of what ecosystem-building looks like when it’s rooted in continuity, shared purpose, and long-term impact.

Background & Context: Inside Amr Elsharaby’s INJAZ Egypt Alumni Journey and Its Role in Egypt’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Amr Elsharaby is widely known today as a business coach, startup mentor, and founder of Zawaya Alex—a company focused on empowering founders through structured coaching and strategic planning. But his journey didn’t begin in boardrooms or accelerator panels. It started on a student stage in 2014, during the INJAZ Egypt Company Program.

That year marked the beginning of Amr’s INJAZ Egypt alumni journey. He was a high school student with ambition, an early-stage idea, and limited resources. The INJAZ experience provided him with more than just tools—it gave him his first real exposure to what entrepreneurship looks like in practice. He credits that moment as foundational, setting in motion a decade of growth across both personal and professional domains.

What makes Amr’s story so compelling is that he didn’t just benefit from Egypt’s growing network of startup mentorship programs—he became one of its contributors. His trajectory mirrors a broader trend in the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Egypt, where alumni of youth programs are increasingly taking on leadership roles, creating a feedback loop of guidance, credibility, and sustainability.

Fast forward to May 10th, 2025: Amr returns to INJAZ, not as a participant but as a mentor and board member. At Cairo American College, he worked hands-on with student teams preparing for their very first business pitches—helping them navigate the same nerves and excitement he once felt. His board appointment also signals a shift in how INJAZ Egypt is embedding alumni into the strategic future of its operations.

His presence is more than symbolic. It’s a structural acknowledgment that those who’ve lived the journey are often best positioned to help shape its next chapter.

Main Takeaways / Observations:

Amr Elsharaby’s return to INJAZ Egypt offers more than inspiration—it provides key lessons for how alumni leadership can shape national progress. His INJAZ Egypt alumni journey is a model for what true ecosystem continuity looks like, and how strategic alumni engagement can strengthen the long-term impact of startup mentorship programs.

1. Alumni Engagement Is Ecosystem Gold

One of the standout insights from Amr’s post is the importance of sustained alumni involvement. In many mentorship or acceleration initiatives, participants graduate and rarely return. But Amr’s journey challenges that model. His re-engagement as both a mentor and board member shows how alumni can become anchors of credibility, empathy, and insight—especially in a growing and sometimes fragmented entrepreneurship ecosystem in Egypt.

Rather than treat his board role as ceremonial, Amr represents a living connection to the student journey. His experience brings continuity to the program, offering decision-makers a lens grounded in lived experience.

2. Mentorship Isn’t One-Way

Another important lesson from Amr’s experience is the reciprocal nature of mentorship. His reflection didn’t center himself as a distant expert—it highlighted how today’s students reminded him of his younger self. He described the energy of watching young teams pitch as “a proud moment for all of us.”

This kind of feedback loop is critical for the health of startup mentorship programs. When mentors are re-energized by the very people they guide, the relationship becomes a two-way engine of growth. That’s the essence of a thriving mentorship culture—and a core strength of INJAZ’s evolving alumni model.

3. Institutional Memory Is a Strategic Asset

Alumni like Amr offer more than motivational speeches—they carry institutional memory. They understand the student experience, the emotional rollercoaster, and the operational gaps that others might overlook. Their insights help future-proof programs.

In a complex entrepreneurship ecosystem in Egypt, where access to networks and resources can be inconsistent, embedding alumni into leadership ensures that strategy is rooted in experience, not assumption. It’s a reminder that longevity in ecosystem design is not just about adding more programs—it’s about preserving and leveraging what already works.

4. Recognition Builds Ecosystems

Amr’s post is filled with gratitude—especially for individuals like Rania Gamil, who he credits for her consistent support. But this isn’t just personal appreciation—it’s ecosystem thinking in action.

Public recognition nurtures relationships, reinforces community, and validates the invisible work that makes programs succeed. It reflects an understanding that success in the startup space isn’t solo—it’s layered, networked, and deeply human. This mindset is critical for any startup mentorship program that hopes to move from transactional to transformational impact.

Community Reaction:

The comments section is rich with encouragement, admiration, and emotional reflections. Ahmed Noah, a student competitor at Hult Prize, says, “I have personally seen how enthusiastic and helpful you are mentoring competitors… I cannot stress enough how lucky anyone would be to have your support.”

Others echoed similar sentiments. “You always do outstanding work and have a remarkable impact,” wrote Zahraa Eissa. “Well deserved,” added Seif Magdy, “Your dedication and impact are truly admirable.”

What’s telling is how many commenters refer not just to Amr’s public achievements—but to his supportive presence. That’s the hallmark of someone who has made mentorship not an accessory to his work, but the core of it.

Our Perspective / Analysis:

As legal advisors and consultants working with startups and entrepreneurs, we often witness the transformative power of mentorship—but we also see the gaps. Too often, programs focus on acceleration and outcomes, not continuity and alumni support.

Amr’s post is a masterclass in the value of lifelong engagement. From a governance perspective, having alumni on the board introduces empathy and relevance into decision-making. From a legal perspective, it ensures that institutional knowledge—often lost in staff turnover—remains anchored.

There are also contractual implications for programs like INJAZ: ensuring alumni boards have defined scopes, IP rights are clear, and mentorship agreements are in place to protect all parties. But beyond the paperwork, the message is this: programs that design for return are programs that endure.

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Call to Reflection or Action:

If you’re a founder, ask yourself: When was the last time you gave back to the community that supported you? If you’re an accelerator, incubator, or NGO: What’s your alumni integration strategy?

The story of Amr Elsharaby reminds us that mentorship is not a chapter—it’s a full arc. And if designed well, that arc doesn’t end with graduation. It grows into leadership, governance, and eventually legacy.

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