Heba Labib

Assistant VP for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Nile University

Heba Labib, PhD, is a dynamic and accomplished ecosystem builder serving as the Assistant VP of Innovation at Nile University. With a remarkable track record, she has been leading NilePreneurs since 2017, a nationwide initiative dedicated to fostering the growth of startups and SMEs through incubation, capacity building, and innovation support. Under her guidance, NilePreneurs has successfully nurtured over 400 startups and nearly 800 SMEs, while also providing valuable training to more than 25,000 individuals and assisting industry via development of 200 products. Dr. Labib's impressive career includes serving as the Director of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Competitiveness Center (IECC) and managing the Technology Commercialization and Industry Relations Office at Nile University. She is also the visionary founder and executive director of NU100, a prominent entrepreneurship initiative empowering techpreneurs with groundbreaking ideas throughout the country. Her entrepreneurial achievements extend to being a co-founder of Palm Paper, a pioneering wastepaper recycling mill established in 2007, as well as Nile's Gift, an esteemed exporter of medicinal and aromatic plants since 2004. Recognized for her influential contributions, Dr. Labib was honored as one of the top 50 Influential Women in Egypt in 2022. Her exceptional leadership in entrepreneurship garnered her recognition as a top female entrepreneurial leader in Africa at the Triple E Awards by ACEEU, held in Barcelona in 2023. Additionally, she has been the recipient of prestigious accolades such as the Arab Business Challenge in 2007 (UAE), Business in Development Challenge in 2006 (Netherlands), and Shell's "Intelaqah for Best Business Idea" Award in 2005 (Oman). Dr. Labib holds a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University, MI, USA, and later pursued her passion for the Management of Technology, earning both an MSc and PhD from Nile University, Egypt. With her exceptional expertise and innovative mindset, she continues to drive impactful change and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.