Cairo — Oriental Weavers, the world’s leading manufacturer of woven carpets, has concluded the Weavers of Tomorrow program in collaboration with Gemini Africa, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship across Egypt’s textile and home décor industry. The closing ceremony was held at the OW Haptech Store, a space that reflects innovation and digital advancement and the company’s focus on connecting creativity with real market opportunities.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms. Yasmine Khamis, Chair of Oriental Weavers Carpets, said: “Weavers of Tomorrow reflects our belief that sustainable industry growth comes from collaboration. By connecting entrepreneurship with digital transformation and real market access, we are building a stronger, more competitive textile ecosystem that can scale globally while remaining rooted in local talent, accelerating innovation across the value chain and creating shared value for the industry as a whole.”

Over an 18-month journey, the program attracted nearly 500 applications and guided startups through a structured pathway spanning pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration. Thirty startups were selected for pre-incubation support focused on business foundations and market readiness, resulting in seven startups receiving CSR financial support and two advancing to the incubation stage. The incubation phase engaged 20 startups, offering tailored mentorship, capacity-building, industry exposure, and direct market access. As a key outcome, five startups were selected for Shop-in-Shop collaborations within Oriental Weavers’ mega stores.

From Gemini Africa’s side, Eng. Adly Thoma, Chairman and CEO of Gemini Africa, commented: “Weavers of Tomorrow demonstrates how traditional industries can be reimagined when entrepreneurship, innovation, and market access come together. Our collaboration with Oriental Weavers goes beyond supporting startups; it embeds innovation directly within the value chain by integrating entrepreneurs into real market environments. This approach moves beyond training into tangible commercial opportunities, enabling scalable business models and creating sustainable growth, jobs, and long-term value for Egypt’s textile sector—while empowering local talent to compete and grow on a global level.”

The program culminated in a final pitching event and exhibition at the Oriental Weavers Haptech Store – Mivida, where 15 startups showcased their businesses before a distinguished judging panel comprising Yasmine Khamis, Samar Raouf, Adly Thoma, and Mohamed Samir. Several startups also demonstrated strong potential for long-term collaboration and investment during the acceleration phase.

Through Weavers of Tomorrow, Oriental Weavers and Gemini Africa continue to nurture talent, accelerate digital and industrial innovation, and help shape the next generation of leaders defining the future of Egypt’s textile and home décor ecosystem.

About Oriental Weavers Group:

Founded in 1979 by visionary industrialist Mohamed Farid Khamis, Oriental Weavers has built over 45 years of legacy, growing from a single loom operation into the world’s leading manufacturer of woven carpets. Drawing on Egypt’s rich textile heritage of over 5,000 years, the company is driven by a purpose to spread happiness and comfort through every piece it creates worldwide.

Employing over 19,000 people across 28 factories in Egypt and the U.S., OW produces more than 150 million square meters of carpet annually. It sells 48 carpets every minute, operates over 260 showrooms in Egypt, and exports to more than 118 countries. Its portfolio includes over 4.5 million unique designs, reflecting unmatched variety, innovation, and craftsmanship.

OW is also a trusted partner for global hospitality leaders and numerous office and government buildings worldwide. From local roots to global impact, Oriental Weavers continues to set the standard—weaving comfort, quality, and creativity into every space.

About Gemini Africa:

Gemini Africa is a one-stop leading enabler and support organization for startups and MSMEs, offering diverse investment and financial solutions, untapped business opportunities, and innovative flagship programs for youth and entrepreneurs. The company operates in two thematic areas: Social Entrepreneurship and Creative Industries. With a special focus on empowering women, Gemini Africa aspires to play a key role in driving economic empowerment and the development of the Egyptian entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As part of its mission to unlock opportunities in untapped sectors, Gemini Africa pioneered CinemaTech, the world’s first entrepreneurial track targeting creative industries.

CinemaTech aims to uplift the filmmaking sector by injecting technological solutions through entrepreneurship. Holding the intellectual property rights for this groundbreaking track, Gemini Africa works relentlessly to expand its services to address gaps within the creative industries ecosystem and extend its activities across multiple creative sectors.

Building on a proven track record of impactful programs in Greater Cairo and Upper Egypt, Gemini Africa has developed:

  • A robust knowledge base.
  • A vast network of experts and local partners.
  • A strong database of key ecosystem players.

This positions the company to accurately identify ecosystem gaps, understand youth needs, and design customized innovative programs that address their challenges.

Driven by its vision, Gemini Africa’s impact extends beyond Egypt, reaching across the African continent. The company aspires not only to bolster startups and MSMEs but also to combat socioeconomic challenges and create sustainable business opportunities for all.