Introduction
In a world where women in tech are often overlooked, one Egyptian entrepreneur dared to defy the odds, disrupt a male-dominated industry, and build a global platform from scratch. Mai Medhat, the name may not ring as loud as Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk, but her story resonates with grit, intelligence, and unapologetic ambition.
She isn’t just a CEO; she’s a symbol of Egypt’s rising digital economy, a role model for female founders in the Middle East, and the brain behind one of the most transformative event tech companies in the region: Eventtus.
This is the journey of Mai Medhat, the coder, the entrepreneur, the dreamer, and above all, the doer.
Early Life: A Curious Mind in Cairo
Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Mai showed early signs of curiosity and a love for logic. As a child, she was fascinated by how things worked. While most of her peers were navigating adolescence, Mai was tinkering with computers and developing a passion for technology.
She later attended Ain Shams University, where she studied computer engineering — a course that not only sharpened her technical skills but also planted the seeds of entrepreneurship. In college, she was known for her persistence and innovative ideas. But what truly set her apart was her ability to see problems as opportunities.
The Spark: A Frustrating Event Experience
The idea for Eventtus was born from a personal pain point.
Back in 2011, Mai attended a tech conference in Cairo. Despite being an exciting event, the logistics were chaotic. There was no central place to view the schedule, network with attendees, or get updates. Frustrated by the disorganization, Mai began brainstorming a solution.
What if there was a platform that could simplify event management?
What if attendees could engage in real time, network, and receive instant updates — all from their phones?
It wasn’t just a fleeting thought. It became her mission.
Founding Eventtus: From Frustration to Fortune
Together with her co-founder Nina Curley, Mai launched Eventtus in 2012.
Eventtus was designed to be a mobile-first event engagement platform. It helped organizers manage events and provided attendees with real-time updates, networking opportunities, interactive sessions, and feedback tools — all within a sleek app interface.
What started as a small project quickly caught the attention of major players in the MENA startup ecosystem. Within months, they were accepted into Flat6Labs, one of Egypt’s top startup accelerators. The idea wasn’t just promising, it was scalable.
Scaling Across the Middle East
Under Mai’s leadership, Eventtus quickly expanded beyond Egypt.
It wasn’t just the functionality that made it stand out; it was Mai’s vision of human-centered technology. Eventtus wasn’t just about logistics — it was about making connections easier, creating meaningful event experiences, and empowering communities.
From Dubai to Riyadh, Eventtus powered major conferences, exhibitions, and summits. The app was used by tens of thousands of attendees, and the company partnered with major organizations across the region.
By 2017, Eventtus had supported over 10,000 events and was used in more than 15 countries.
Breaking Gender Barriers in Tech
As a female tech founder in the Middle East, Mai’s path was anything but easy.
Tech entrepreneurship has long been a male-dominated field, particularly in MENA. But Mai was determined to rewrite the narrative. She became an outspoken advocate for female inclusion in technology, encouraging women to not only participate but lead.
Her mantra?
“You don’t have to be invited to the table. Build your own.”
Through workshops, panels, and mentorship, Mai inspired a new generation of Arab women to explore coding, product design, and startup leadership.
A Global Spotlight: Obama, Zuckerberg, and Mai Medhat
In 2016, Mai’s impact reached global heights. She was invited to speak on a high-profile panel at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Silicon Valley — alongside Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg. It was a powerful moment not just for her, but for Egypt and Arab women worldwide.
The world watched as a young Egyptian woman confidently shared her vision with two of the most influential figures on the planet. Her message was clear:
Innovation doesn’t have borders.
This moment catapulted her visibility and credibility on the international stage.
Funding, Growth, and Partnerships
Following the global spotlight, Eventtus began attracting serious investor attention.
The startup secured multiple rounds of funding from regional and international investors, including Egypt’s Sawari Ventures and Raed Ventures in Saudi Arabia. With capital in hand, Mai focused on improving the platform, enhancing analytics, and integrating AI to better understand attendee behavior.
Eventtus was now more than an app, it was a complete event tech solution trusted by governments, corporations, and NGOs.
Navigating the Pandemic: Pivot with Purpose
Like many event-tech companies, COVID-19 hit Eventtus hard. As in-person gatherings were canceled globally, their core business model was disrupted overnight.
But true entrepreneurs don’t panic, they pivot.
Mai led her team through a strategic transformation, shifting Eventtus to offer virtual and hybrid event capabilities. They introduced live streaming, virtual networking rooms, and engagement tools tailored for online audiences.
This quick adaptation not only saved the company but positioned it for post-pandemic relevance.
Acquisition by Bevy: A New Chapter
In 2021, Eventtus was acquired by Bevy, a U.S.-based community event platform backed by Andreessen Horowitz and other major Silicon Valley investors.
The acquisition marked a major milestone — not just financially, but symbolically.
An Egyptian-founded startup had been recognized by a global player for its innovation and scalability.
Mai joined Bevy’s leadership team as VP of Innovation, continuing her mission on a broader scale.
Lessons from Mai Medhat’s Journey
Mai Medhat’s story is more than just a tech success — it’s an entrepreneurial blueprint. Here are key takeaways:
1. Solve Real Problems
Eventtus was born from personal frustration. The best startups often start with “there has to be a better way.”
2. Be Relentlessly Resourceful
From bootstrapping in Cairo to speaking in Silicon Valley, Mai didn’t wait for permission — she created her own path.
3. Diversity Is a Superpower
Her leadership as a woman in tech gave Eventtus a unique edge. Different perspectives drive better innovation.
4. Pivot with Purpose
When COVID-19 disrupted her business, she didn’t fold. She evolved, proving resilience is more powerful than hype.
5. Legacy > Profits
Even after the acquisition, Mai continues to mentor and advocate for others, showing that the ultimate ROI is impact.
The Legacy of Mai Medhat
Today, Mai Medhat stands as one of Africa’s most inspiring tech entrepreneurs. She represents the future of innovation — diverse, bold, and deeply rooted in purpose.
She’s not just building software; she’s building a movement. One where young people, especially women, see that their background doesn’t limit their future. That with vision, grit, and community, anything is possible.
Final Word: Why Mai Medhat Matters
Mai’s journey is important not just because she succeeded, but because she succeeded her way — with authenticity, empathy, and excellence.
In a digital age where success is often loud and showy, she reminds us that true power is quiet, consistent, and deeply transformational.
To every aspiring entrepreneur reading this:
Let Mai’s story ignite your boldness. Whether you’re in Lagos, Nairobi, Cairo, or anywhere else — your idea matters.
And to the world watching: the next global innovation just might come from the heart of Africa — led by a woman, built from passion, and powered by impact.
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