Cairo-based tech ecosystem provider GrowthLabs has acquired networking hub Startup Gate in a deal nearing 35m Egyptian pounds. The transaction aims to build the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s first unified digital infrastructure platform, tracking startups from early-stage discovery through to investment readiness.
The acquisition merges two distinct sides of the regional startup support industry. GrowthLabs brings its proprietary “Catalyst OS” — a backend operating system used by incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurial programs to manage initiatives and measure cohort metrics. Startup Gate, founded just a year ago, provides the front-end community, connecting early-stage founders with investors, mentors, and service providers.
Historically, startup data in the MENA region has been siloed. Accelerators, venture capitalists, and government agencies often rely on disjointed tools to track the progress of emerging companies. By integrating Catalyst OS with Startup Gate’s network, the newly formed entity intends to offer real-time analytics across the entire lifecycle of a startup, creating a clearer pipeline from company registration to venture funding.
Islam Mohamed, CEO of GrowthLabs, stated that the overarching goal is to replace fragmented support systems with an operating system that nurtures startups systematically.
“We are establishing a unified digital infrastructure that empowers every stakeholder within the ecosystem to operate with heightened connectivity and efficiency,” Mohamed said. “By combining GrowthLabs’ technological backend with Startup Gate’s network, we will deliver data-driven solutions. This will empower our partners in both the government and private sector to realize measurable outcomes and scale corporate innovation.”
The orchestrator and the reshuffle
The strategic acquisition was brokered by M-Empire, an advisory and investment firm that aims to consolidate high-growth tech infrastructure in the region.
Maged Ghoneima, Co-founder and Managing Partner of M-Empire, framed the deal as a necessary step to mature the local market. “This acquisition is a landmark move in our strategy to eliminate fragmentation within the MENA startup landscape,” Ghoneima noted. “With our portfolio now spanning over 200 startups globally, we recognize that a unified digital infrastructure is the only way to accelerate investment readiness at scale. M-Empire connects the entrepreneurial community’s discovery of promising opportunities with data-driven execution.”
Following the acquisition, Startup Gate founder Emmy Tawfik will step into the role of Chief Operating Officer at GrowthLabs Holding. Tawfik highlighted the rapid, operational evolution of the platform she built over the last twelve months.
“What began as a platform connecting founders to opportunities is now expanding into the first fully integrated digital infrastructure for entrepreneurship,” Tawfik said. “Together with GrowthLabs and Catalyst OS, we are building a unified infrastructure that supports startups from the earliest stages to sustainable growth. This is not a new direction; it’s the natural scale of what we set out to build.”
Expansion targets for 2026
With the integration underway, GrowthLabs is stepping on the gas for geographic and product expansion. The combined entity has outlined a roadmap to expand into five new countries across the Gulf and Africa by the end of 2026.
The company already holds a significant footprint, having executed over 60 international programs and supported more than 5,000 startups across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Pakistan, and South America. It currently operates alongside a network of government agencies, academic institutions, and international development organizations.
Later this year, GrowthLabs plans to roll out seven flagship corporate innovation programs. It is also preparing to debut a cross-border regional entrepreneurial community, designed to bridge gaps between diverse MENA markets. The initiative aims to ease the flow of human capital and investment opportunities, positioning the platform as a primary service provider for universities, angel networks, and venture capital firms looking to deploy capital in emerging markets.