UPEI Cairo Team Leads the Way at Connect X Hackathon
Friday, May 2nd, 2025
In a world defined by rapid technological change, the ability of industries to adapt, collaborate, and innovate is more critical than ever.
That’s the driving force behind Connect X — a challenge designed to revolutionize knowledge-sharing in the furniture industry through digital innovation.
Hosted by the Entrepreneurship Center at Universities of Canada in Egypt (EC by UofCanada), Connect X brought together 16 student teams from 9 universities in a high-impact, two-phase journey of creativity and discovery.
Their mission? To design practical, scalable knowledge management solutions that could transform how furniture companies capture, retain, and share knowledge.
From Ideas to Impact
Students collaborated, coded, and competed throughout the challenge, turning ambitious ideas into working prototypes.
The process tested their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while pushing the boundaries of what young innovators can achieve when given the necessary tools and mentorship.
The results were nothing short of inspiring.
Teams explored technologies like AI, machine learning, and data-driven UX design to create tools that could improve collaboration, retain institutional knowledge, and enable smarter decision-making in the furniture sector.
Celebrating the Champions
After two rigorous phases, the team from UPEI Cairo Campus emerged as the winner, recognized for their outstanding innovation, tangible impact, and seamless execution.
Congratulations to:
- Shahd Mohamed Abdelmageed
- Omar Darwin
- Youssef Othman
Your project stood out not just as a prototype but as a real-world solution with the potential to drive change in the industry.
Powered by Partnerships
Connect X was only possible thanks to the dedication and support of an incredible network of partners and mentors who guided students every step of the way:
- Industry Partner
Amr Orensa, Design Industry
- Technical Partners
Seif AbouZeid, Creativ
Sherif Awad, People of Data
Mohamed Sharabassy, People of Data
- Strategic Partner
Mohamed Ayman, Kaaf – Creative Ismailia
Lamees Koura, Kaaf – Creative Ismailia
Khaled Eyada, Kaaf – Creative Ismailia
- Community Partner
Codebusters Club
- Entrepreneurship Center & DMZ Cairo Team Support
Habiba Shawkat
Nermine Sabek
Radwa Younes
Each of these contributors played a vital role in shaping the challenge, mentoring teams, and ensuring that Connect X empowered students and delivered real value to industry stakeholders.
Looking Ahead
Connect X was more than a competition — it was a glimpse into what’s possible when real-world challenges meet purpose-driven education.
At the Entrepreneurial Hub, the mission goes beyond hosting events. It’s about cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset across campus and creating opportunities that push university students — especially those at UPEI Cairo — to think big, act boldly, and turn ideas into real businesses.
Initiatives like Connect X Hackathon are designed to spark innovation and give students the tools, mentorship, and confidence to launch their own startups — and even step into CEO roles before graduation.
This is just the beginning.