Egypt’s MSMEDA partners with top VCs and Visible.vc to unify portfolio reporting across the startup ecosystem

Egypt is taking a significant step to enhance its startup ecosystem by introducing a unified venture capital (VC) reporting standard. This initiative, led by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) in collaboration with the World Bank, aims to bring consistency and transparency to how startups report data to investors.

🧩 Why Standardized Reporting Matters

In Egypt’s current VC landscape, startups often face the challenge of reporting different metrics in various formats to multiple investors. This inconsistency not only burdens startups but also complicates data analysis for investors. The new reporting standard seeks to streamline this process by establishing a unified framework for data collection, focusing on key performance indicators such as investment amounts, sector focus, geographic distribution, job creation, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts.

🤝 A Collaborative Effort

The development of this standard is a collaborative endeavor involving MSMEDA, the World Bank, and leading Egyptian VC firms, including Foundation Ventures, Algebra Ventures, Sawari Ventures, Shorooq Partners, Endure Capital, Camel Ventures, Climate Resilient Africa Fund, DenVC, DisrupTech Ventures, and LoftyInc Capital. These stakeholders have worked together to ensure the standard meets the practical needs of the industry.

To facilitate the implementation, the U.S.-based platform Visible.vc has been selected to co-develop the rollout, ensuring the platform aligns with local investor requirements. The full implementation is expected by the end of Q2 2025, with the first ecosystem-wide VC data report anticipated a year later.

🌍 Implications for Egypt’s Startup Ecosystem

This initiative is poised to enhance Egypt’s appeal to international investors by demonstrating a commitment to transparency and robust data governance. By standardizing reporting practices, the ecosystem can better analyze trends, identify gaps, and measure the effectiveness of public funding in supporting startups and SMEs. Moreover, it positions Egypt as a leader in adopting best practices for tracking the impact of development finance, potentially serving as a model for other emerging markets.

📈 MSMEDA’s Broader Impact

This reporting standard is part of MSMEDA’s broader efforts to support Egypt’s startup ecosystem. Through its Fund-of-Funds program, MSMEDA has invested in 11 early-stage VC and related funds, with plans to invest in a total of 15 funds by June 2025. These investments have supported over 140 Egyptian startups, contributing to job creation and economic development. As of February 2025, MSMEDA’s initiatives have resulted in 219,918 entrepreneurs receiving financing and the creation of 472,252 jobs, exceeding their targets.

By implementing a unified VC reporting standard, Egypt is not only streamlining its startup ecosystem but also setting a precedent for other countries aiming to foster transparency and attract investment in their entrepreneurial sectors.