Sherine Kabesh is the co-founder of Flash, a mobile-based payments platform that is reshaping how transactions are conducted in Egypt’s largely cash-driven economy. Her journey into fintech is grounded in a career built on technology, marketing, and business development.
Before launching Flash, the businesswoman was part of Uber’s founding team in Egypt. Over five years, she served as Head of Marketing for Uber Egypt, leading strategic campaigns that contributed to the company’s regional growth. She later moved to Dubai to oversee marketing initiatives across the Middle East and Africa. Her earlier professional experience also includes working with Vodafone Egypt, where she developed a strong communications and brand positioning foundation.
In 2021, Sherine Kabesh partnered with Erik Gordon and Samir El-Sahn to establish Flash, a platform offering contactless payments through QR code technology. This removes the need for traditional point-of-sale (POS) systems. With a user-centric design, Flash aims to make digital transactions more accessible for consumers and businesses, particularly in a market where cash still dominates.
The founders’ motivation for starting Flash stemmed from a desire to bridge the financial access gap in Egypt. Recognising the challenges that SMEs face in adopting digital tools, she and her co-founders focused on building an intuitive, scalable, and inclusive solution.
Since its inception, Flash has grown to serve thousands of users and has formed partnerships with thousands of merchants, ranging from large retailers and healthcare providers to local SMEs. The company’s model has attracted the attention of global investors, and in 2023, Flash raised $6 million in seed funding from Addition, Flourish Ventures, and Global Founders Capital. The funding has been directed toward strengthening its technological infrastructure and expanding its operations across Egypt.
The company also received regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Egypt to operate as a technical payment aggregator, in partnership with Banque Misr, a critical step in aligning with national efforts to promote financial inclusion.
“We are thrilled to have obtained a technical payment aggregator approval from the Central Bank of Egypt in partnership with Banque Misr. This strengthens our commitment to developing the cashless ecosystem, introducing new products, and diversifying our digital payment portfolio. It enables us to expand the scope of our digital financial products and reach millions of micro-entrepreneurs, driving growth and advancing Egypt’s digital economy,” Sherine Kabesh notes.
As the demand for digital financial tools continues to rise, Flash positions itself as a relevant player in Egypt’s fintech sector. For Kabesh, the work goes beyond building a successful startup; it’s about creating practical financial solutions that can unlock opportunities for Egyptians.
