Youth Platform Secures $20,000 in Funding to Enhance Student Discount Services in Egypt
The Egyptian platform Youth, which offers exclusive discounts for students, has successfully raised $20,000 (equivalent to EGP 1 million) as part of the Gen Z Entrepreneurship Program. This initiative aims to foster innovation and support emerging startups in the Egyptian market.
Founding Vision and Mission
Founded by Malak El-Leithy (22 years old), the idea for Youth was inspired by student-focused applications she used during her studies in the UK and the Netherlands. The platform was launched to address the unmet needs of Egyptian students and fill a gap in the local market for tailored student discounts and services.
Remarkable Achievements in Just Four Months
Since its launch less than four months ago, Youth has achieved notable milestones:
- 25,000 registered students from 39 Egyptian universities.
- Strategic partnerships with 60 brands offering discounts across various sectors, including:
- Fitness.
- Dining.
- Shopping.
- Entertainment.
Strategic Support from Industry Leaders
This funding round is part of a broader initiative led by:
- The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
- The Innovators Support Fund.
- United Media Services.
The program benefits from mentorship and guidance by prominent business leaders, such as:
- Tarek Kamel, CEO of Nestlé Egypt.
- Mohamed Shelbaya, CEO of PepsiCo Africa and Egypt.
Targeting Generation Z
Gen Z, born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, represents around 20% of Egypt’s population—over 20 million youth. This demographic significantly drives the economy and serves as the core audience for Youth.
Youth’s Vision for the Future
Malak El-Leithy, Founder and CEO of Youth, stated:
“We aim to make Youth the go-to platform for students in Egypt, offering innovative solutions that simplify their daily lives and unlock greater opportunities to access services at competitive prices.”
She also highlighted how the new funding will enable the platform to:
- Expand its user base.
- Enhance its technical infrastructure.
- Forge new partnerships with additional brands.
