Ahmed Mahmoud Abdeen

Founder & CEO

ElGameya

About El Gameya

El Gameya is a fintech platform reimagining the traditional Gameya by digitizing the entire experience. Through a secure, user-friendly mobile app, El Gameya enables individuals to join or create savings circles with ease—offering transparency, automation, and trust. By modernizing a widely practiced cultural habit, the platform empowers users with financial flexibility, early access to funds, and a smarter way to save and borrow.

What inspired the launch of El Gameya?

The inspiration came from a personal need. I used to work as a software project manager, and at one point, I tried to organize a traditional Gameya with friends. It turned out to be extremely challenging—coordinating ten people, collecting payments, dealing with delays, and managing everyone’s schedules was inefficient and frustrating. At the same time, I realized that over 60% of people in Egypt still rely on informal Gameya systems. That’s when I saw a real opportunity to solve a common problem through technology. El Gameya was built to make the entire process simple, reliable, and accessible.

What were the key challenges you faced early on?

One of the main challenges was the lack of funding, especially during the past two years. Another major difficulty has been recruitment—finding the right people, at the right time, with the right skills and expectations. Hiring the right caliber with the appropriate package isn’t easy, and it’s something we’ve continued to navigate as we grow.

Who played a pivotal role in your entrepreneurial journey?

Many people have contributed to this journey, but a few have played a particularly critical role. Some investors provided both capital and mentorship. On the advisory side, Hanan Abdel Meguid, Tarek Roshdy, and Amr Aboelazm have been with me from the early stages. Their insights, support, and belief in El Gameya added immense value—not only to the company but to me personally as a founder.

How has mentorship shaped your experience as a founder?

Mentorship has been one of the most important aspects of my journey. As a founder, you’re constantly making decisions in unfamiliar territory. Having mentors with real-life experience helped me avoid mistakes that I might’ve otherwise made. Rather than figuring everything out from scratch, I was able to lean on their knowledge and apply their lessons to my own path.

What was the first major milestone for El Gameya?

Our first major milestone was launching the mobile app on both the Play Store and App Store. Getting it live and seeing people actually downloading and using it was a huge validation of the concept. Another major turning point was securing our first investment. It wasn’t just about the money—it gave us the push and confidence to continue moving forward.

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self at the start of this journey, what would it be?

I would tell myself not to be afraid of making mistakes. I’ve made plenty—especially when it comes to hiring and team dynamics—but each one taught me something valuable. I’ve learned a lot from the tough moments, and they’ve helped shape who I am today. So the advice would be: “Mistakes are part of the process—just make sure you learn fast.”

Why did you choose to attend Techne Summit, and what has the experience meant for El Gameya?

Techne Summit has always felt like the right place to be. It offers the exposure, networking, and ecosystem support that startups like ours need. From visibility to valuable connections, the experience has been incredibly beneficial for El Gameya, and I’m thankful for everything the summit has provided us.