Theme: Built Not Born

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

TEDx NIS_Tg
Nis new capital نرمين إسماعيل العاصمة الجديدة, Cairo Governorate Desert, Cairo Governorate 4823205
Cairo, Al Qāhirah, 11321
Egypt

Ahella ElSabban

Co-Founder of EXITS & Founder of Lumas Global

Named one of Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen in 2025, Ahella El Saban is a driving force behind startup growth, investment innovation, and AI adaptation in the MENA region. From her early career at Google, helping businesses unlock the power of digital marketing, to co-founding EXITS MENA — a pioneering investment advisory firm connecting startups and SMEs to investors and working towards building AI powered platform for dealmaking — Ahella has worked at the intersection of tech, business, and behavioral insight. She is a strong advocate for adaptability of AI for enablement of capacity among entrepreneurs and works in multiple projects. She is also the founder of Lumas, a research and training venture that has empowered over 150,000 individuals and partnered with global leaders and ecosystem players in the region. As a speaker, PhD researcher, and advocate for accessible growth, she brings her full journey — and her voice — to every stage she steps on.

Ahmed Ghoniem

Founder of AG Creations, Radiologist

I’m a radiologist who’s always loved the field, but I’ve also been endlessly curious, especially about making things with my hands, starting with Lego bricks at age five. What began as a playful experiment turning empty glass bottles into lamps, evolved into a passion for woodworking. Today, I balance life as a full-time woodworker and a part-time radiologist, exploring how creativity and craftsmanship can reshape our lives.

Ahmed Nagy

Founder of Anspire Agency

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Farida Maksoud

Founder & CEO of BACABUME

Farida Maksoud — a bold entrepreneur, media strategist, and the founder of a purpose-driven consulting and business networking company based in Cairo. Farida brings a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and deep human insight to everything she does. To reach where she is today, she has been through a turbulent path that eventually led to her true calling. She’s passionate about helping businesses grow through meaningful connections and impactful communication. Today, throughout the story of her journey, she’s here to share a story that’s raw, real, and sure to leave you inspired.

Fatma & Youssef AbdelRahman

Founders & Owners of Fatis

The two siblings, Fatma Youssef and Abdelrahman Youssef, co-founded the cloud-based bakery, Fati's, in November 2021, specializing in making donuts. Starting from a home stove, Fati's expanded into a two-floor production facility capable of producing thousands of pieces daily. It processed 8,593 orders in 2023 and 29,330 between January and September 2024. They broadened the delivery reach from a single zone to cover all of Cairo and Giza, while the team grew from 35 employees to over 55. It currently serves 6,500-7,000 customers every month. They were among Forbes Middle East's 30 under 30 in 2024.

Heba Khaled

Mental Health advocate

Managing Director of Sky Productions, social media strategist, and dedicated mental health advocate. 💡🧠 With a media career spanning 20+ years, Heba has seen the digital world evolve — and she’s made it her mission to humanize it. From traditional TV to leading digital strategies, she’s helped brands connect with purpose and authenticity. Now completing her thesis in work psychology, Heba is diving deep into how our online lives impact mental health, productivity, and emotional well-being.

Hesham Mesbah

Egyptian judoka

Hesham Mesbah (Egyptian Arabic: هشام مصباح; born 17 March 1982) is an Egyptian judoka.[1] He won a bronze medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Egypt's first judo medal in 24 years. He was also the 2006 African Judo Championships and 2007 All-Africa Games champion in his weight category.

Khamila ElGuindy

Award-Winning Literary Translator | Head of Translation Department & Foreign Rights Manager | Workshop Founder & Instructor | Author | Literary Scholar | Advocate for Cross-Cultural Exchange in Publishing

Khamila ElGuindy, our very own graduate, extraordinary translator and head of Translation and Rights at Al-Rewaq Publishing House, has won the Best Translated Book award from the National Translation Center for “اسمها فلسطين”!

Omar Hegazi

Handicapped Athelete, 3-Ginness World Record Holder Amputee Athelete

An Egyptian adventurer has become the first amputee to swim from Egypt to Jordan, crossing a 20-kilometre (12.4 miles) stretch of the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba last month in under nine hours. Omar Hegazy, a 26-year-old banker, lost his left leg two years ago in a motorcycle accident he said left him with an identity crisis. He is also a board member of national council of childhood and motherhood.

Youssef Raouf

Founder & CEO of Brixeler

Mechatronics engineer who turned a set of failures into success; Brick by Brick he built Brixeler for teenagers who feel lost or falling behind, just like he did during college.