The Grand Finale in Cairo: Ending Ouissal’s 2025/26 Kick-Off Series in Style

The third Kick-Off Meeting of the 2025/26 OUISSAL cohort took place in the historic and vibrant city of Cairo, bringing together 11 mentees from Egypt, Palestine, Libya, and Germany and 4 mentors from Germany and Egypt for the first time. Over three days, the participants shared inspiring encounters, intensive workshops, and meaningful networking moments all set against the extraordinary cultural backdrop of Egypt.

 The kick off began with a warm and inspiring reception at the German Embassy in Cairo graciously hosted by The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Jürgen Schulz, and Mrs. Sheila Stanton. The evening featured inspiring remarks from Ambassador Schulz, H.E. Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, as well as Clara Gruitrooy, founder of Ouissal. Their speeches highlighted the deeper purpose of the program: empowering women entrepreneurs, fostering cross-border collaboration, and strengthening leadership across the region.

The first full day began with a scenic walk through the lively streets of downtown Caire to La Maison Treize, the workshop venue. There, Clara Gruitrooy welcomed the participants with warm words before leading the opening session on the new “Get Together & Mentoring Concept”, alongside our mentor and workshop leader Daniela Greiffendorf. Participants introduced themselves and their businesses, sharing their entrepreneurial journeys and the motivations that brought them to OUISSAL. The afternoon session, “Matching and Leadership,” marked an important milestone as the Growth Teams were announced for the first time and participants received their first collaborative task. The day concluded with a memorable dinner at Felfela Restaurant, where the group enjoyed authentic Egyptian cuisine and continued building connections in a relaxed setting.

The second day was filled with a different kind of adventure! A The second day was dedicated to strengthening leadership skills and teamwork. Participants worked intensively within their Growth Teams during the “Leadership Essentials” sessions, designed to enhance their leadership capacities and collaborative approaches. After lunch, the workshops continued with a dedicated session for Growth Team work, giving participants the opportunity to deepen their connections, exchange ideas, and prepare for the final presentations scheduled for the following day. The evening offered a magical highlight: a Nile River cruise on the iconic Nile River, where participants enjoyed breathtaking nighttime views of Caire while reflecting on the day’s experiences.

On the third and sadly final day of the Kick-Off, each Growth Team presented their final pitch, sharing their roadmap for the mentoring year and outlining the goals they hope to achieve by the end of the program. The event concluded with a memorable lunch overlooking the monumental Pyramids of Giza, one of the world’s most extraordinary historical sites. Then later a professional photoshoot which captured the spirit of the cohort and marked the closing of an inspiring Kick-Off experience.

We extend our deepest thanks to every participant, mentor, partner, and supporter who contributed to making this Kick-Off such an energizing and meaningful experience. Special thanks also goes to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) who are funding OUISSAL and the Agency for Business and Development (AWE) for supporting our project.