Leading e-commerce website Souq.com announced Wednesday the launch of its Online Marketplace University, an programme that "aims to increase the entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for Egypt". The programme is the first of its kind in Egypt, Souq.com noted. Souq.com's project will be launched through two different programmes. The first, which will be in cooperation with the Education for Employment Egypt (EFE), is the Marketplace E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Programme, which will seek to assist young entrepreneurs in starting their own online ventures. The second programme is the Marketplace Incubator, which will rely on development programmes, access to mentors and shared services to "increase the success potential of the participants". "Souq.com Egypt will offer the necessary tools to kick off their ideas including shared office space, access to content and production, daily courier services, and storage space at one of the company's offices in Maadi, Cairo in addition to access to mentors and workshops," the e-commerce company said. Around 100 applicants per session will be chosen by Souq.com and EFE Egypt to take part in the inaugural eight-week course. The e-commerce website stated that applicants must be "self starters with a degree from a public institution of higher education and will be judged on their ability to innovate, lead and problem solve". Graduates of the programme will be further assisted with access to micro-financing, mentoring along with legal and business development facilities. "At the end of the program, graduates will undergo Souq.com apprenticeships during which they will put their new skills to use," Souq.com said. "The businesses that take off will receive help customising their own Souq.com online shop".
