Diaa Yousef

Founder & CEO

AgriCash

"AgriCash is a user-first digital platform empowering Egypt’s smallholder farmers with access to credit, insurance, and flexible payment solutions—bridging a long-standing gap between farmers, vendors, and financial institutions."

1. What inspired the creation of this startup?

 It all started with one big, bold question: why are Egypt’s smallholder farmers still invisible to the financial system? Despite being the heartbeat of our agriculture sector, most farmers struggle to access credit, insurance, or even basic payment flexibility. That gap inspired us to build AgriCash—a user-first, digital platform connecting farmers directly with vendors and financial institutions. Practical. Inclusive. Scalable. And built with farmers and their stakeholders in mind from day one.

 2. What were the challenges that you encountered when you started?

 Trust. That was our Everest. Many farmers had seen flashy tech come and go without actually serving them. Convincing them (and vendors) that we were different took time, listening, and humility. Technically, building a secure platform that worked offline in rural areas and handled sensitive financial data—was no walk in the field either!

3.Who helped you the most in your journey?

 We owe a lot to our early partners; from forward-thinking agribusinesses to grassroots cooperatives. And honestly, other social entrepreneurs. Those fueled our brainstorms and very honest voice notes kept us sane and on track. We’re also honored to have worked with the Ministry of Agriculture, GIZ, the Egyptian Food Bank, and local civil associations who amplified our mission on the ground.

4. Role of mentorship? Did you have a mentor to guide you throughout your entrepreneurial journey?

Yes! Mentorship played a key role in our journey. We had the privilege of learning from experienced entrepreneurs in the AgTech and FinTech space. Their insights on market entry strategies, regulatory navigation, and investor readiness helped us avoid major pitfalls and accelerate our growth curve.

 5. What was the first major milestone for the company?

 Securing our first round of vendor partnerships and successfully financing 100+ farmers in a pilot phase was a turning point. It validated both our business model and social impact goals and showed that our approach could work at scale.

 6. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self when starting out, what would it be?

 Don’t wait for the “perfect” product to launch—start with a lean basic version, get it into users’ hands, and iterate based on real feedback. Execution beats perfection every time.

7. Why did you choose to attend Techne Summit, and how has it impacted your journey?

 Techne Summit is one of the few platforms in the region that brings real cross-sector collaboration to the table. We joined to connect with potential partners, investors, and ecosystem builders—and we walked away with much more than that. It gave us credibility and visibility at the right time.

8. What specific support from the Techne Corporate Innovation program helped AgriCash the most?

 The tailored matchmaking with corporate partners and the strategic workshops on product-market fit were game changers. Techne didn’t just offer us a stage; it connected us with actionable opportunities that led to long-term collaborations.

 9. What advice would you give to startups considering joining Techne Corporate Innovation?

Come prepared with a focused, clear ask. Whether it’s market access, corporate validation, or technical support—be specific about what you want and how Techne can help. The more targeted your approach, the more valuable the program will be for you.

10. Looking back, what was the most valuable lesson you took away from the program?

 That innovation isn’t about building a cool app! — it’s about solving real problems with empathy, speed, and scalability. Techne helped us reframe our solutions through that lens, and it’s shaped how we grow today.