OUR FOUNDER OF THE WEEK- Every Tuesday, Founder of the Week looks at how a successful member of Egypt’s startup community got their big break, asks about their experiences running a business, and gets their advice for budding entrepreneurs. Speaking to us this week is Ali Elbeshbishy (LinkedIn), founder and CEO of Tutankhamun Football Club (TUT FC).

My name is Ali Elbeshbishy, and I’m the founder and CEO of TUT FC, a community-focused football club. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical & Green Engineering from Virginia Tech, which equipped me with problem-solving skills and a passion for sustainability. I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey with the founding of TUT FC, which was first based in Shubra El Kheima before moving to Fayoum.

Launching TUT FC was a chance to make a positive impact on the community. I saw lots of untapped potential and hidden talent in youths playing football in crowded communities, and wanted to provide a chance for aspiring players who may have not had access to play the sport professionally otherwise. To me, the natural solution was to create a platform for those willing to dedicate themselves to the sport and give them a chance to shine.

I was a newcomer to the industry and felt uncertain about entering the market. But I was determined to get this done, and so relied on people more experienced than me for guidance and on my own problem-solving skills to navigate tough situations. Learning from my own mistakes was key in gaining insight into the market and navigating it successfully.

TUT FC isn’t just driven by community — it’s also driven by technology. We stand out from the competition by integrating advanced data analytics to enhance our performance on the field. We have partnered with companies like IBM to leverage the power of that tech into maximizing our learning curve. But it would be dishonest not to attribute a lot of our improvement to human talent too. At TUT FC, we focus on nurturing our players’ skills and providing them with support both on and off the pitch, which gives them the space to commit and develop together.

Success is a journey, not a destination. Personal achievements are helpful markers of success, but a more important measure is the positive impact we have on the lives of others.

We have achieved many notable milestones along the way, but to me, our success lies in the collective effort, teamwork, and transformative influence we’ve been able to bring to the community. The progress we have made is something to be proud of, but it’s a journey we commit to everyday, not just a material objective we want to reach.

That being said, we do have our sights set on some quantifiable goals. Within the next five years, we see TUT FC elevating the standards of both men and women’s football and leaving our mark on the sporting world. Our men’s team is working to reach the second division of Egyptian football within the next three years, and we’re hoping to participate in the Women’s CAF Champions League and make a mark on the international stage.

The recent economic challenges have helped us reframe our understanding of ROI beyond monetary gain. For any successful football club, ROI should come from creating opportunities for aspiring players, fostering a sense of community, and inspiring the next generation. Instead of a financial ROI on its own, we’ve learned that the talent we foster has value beyond the platitudes we hear — prioritizing our players’ growth and well-being is the strongest foundation for sustainable success.

As members of the football industry, we’re keen to improve it. The goal is to leave the business better than we found it, and that means working to end corruption within the football industry and promoting transparency on all levels of the game. One thing we’re already working on but would like to see become the norm is an equitable system that offers everyone a chance regardless of their background or their resources. We also want to introduce more innovative tech to further revolutionize the way football is played and experienced.

But it’s not without its challenges. The hardest part of the business is the constant need to adapt and overcome. The industry is just as dynamic as the game, and staying ahead of the competition requires continuous innovation, strategic planning, and the ability to navigate unexpected obstacles on the fly. It demands resilience. You need a dedicated and committed team to manage the club, knowing that you will face uncertainty at every turn both on and off the pitch.

Balancing home and work requires a lot of flexibility. I’ve learned to divide my time effectively on a whole, but I have also had to accept that my line of work operates at every time of day. Some days I might just have eight hours of work, but other days I will have to spend the night (or several) at the office. It’s an unpredictable lifestyle that requires a lot of adaptability. The key is finding a rhythm that also allows for personal wellbeing within the chaos of the job.

The last book I read will not come as a surprise. Mike Carson’s The Manager: Inside theMind of Football’s Leaders is a uniquely insightful book that delves into the most influential people behind football. It explores their strategies, and most importantly their decision-making processes, especially in the face of immense pressure. It resonates with me especially because of our commitment to nurturing leadership qualities and management at TUT FC, which are pivotal for on- and off-pitch success.

If I wasn’t leading TUT FC, I would have likely immersed myself in other projects with the same purpose of improving others’ lives. I was lucky to be able to combine that with my love for football at TUT FC, but whether it was within the football industry or beyond it, my primary passion lies in creating opportunities for others, tackling social issues, and trying to foster community development. The desire to leave a meaningful legacy remains at the core of all my aspirations.

If I could reach out to my younger self, I would tell him to embrace failures as stepping stones to success — every setback holds a valuable lesson. Trust in your vision, but be adaptable. Believe in your ability to make a positive impact. Perseverance and resilience are harder and more important than you could ever imagine, but the journey is also more rewarding than you could ever imagine.

I would extend that advice to new entrepreneurs. I would also add this: Every challenge is an opportunity for growth. A strong support system will see you through, so surround yourself with people who can provide encouragement and reliable guidance. Embrace innovation — technological advancements can propel your business forward and set you apart. But above all, foster your determination and let it drive you, and never lose sight of your potential.