An Egyptian app facilitates connection between residents and their building managers in high-end communities.

1. This Is What You Need to Know about
a Significant Investment in an
Egyptian Digital Real Estate Platform
DR. EHSAN BAYAT

2. This Is What You Need to Know about a Significant Investment
in an Egyptian Digital Real Estate Platform
 The real estate industry in Egypt has reached a point of great potential with the
development of a new administrative capital outside of Cairo and new
construction projects planned in the current capital. To modernize the Egyptian
real estate industry, engineers launched iCommunity. This community
management platform and social network connects real estate developers to their
residents, as well as individuals who live near each other.
 Recently, iCommunity announced that it has secured $600,000 in Series A funding
from Algebra Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on tech. iCommunity will
use this money to continue expanding through Egypt and then potentially move
to international markets. The company will also use the money to attract top
talent to the organization as it grows.

3. Tapping into the Potential for Digitization
of Real Estate in MENA
 The digitization of the real estate industry throughout the Middle East and North
Africa has already begun. The introduction of technologies like blockchain have
the potential to cut down on corruption and increase confidence. The growing
popularity of iCommunity represents a different form of digitization. The platform
is aimed at facilitating communication between real estate developers and the
people who live in the homes they build, as well as residents of a particular
community.
 The product offers value to both developers and residents. It also has the
potential to continue evolving along with the changing needs of these customers.
The Algebra Ventures investment signifies the Cairo-based fund’s belief in the
potential for continued digitization of the real estate processes in the region.

4. Providing Value and Adapting over Time
 So far, iCommunity has focused primarily on top-tier gated communities and
currently serves a significant portion of this market throughout Egypt. To facilitate
growth, the company has formed relationships with a number of the top real
estate developers in Egypt. This could facilitate access to other markets.
 iCommunity has grown quickly due to its focus on customer satisfaction and
improving the experience of moving into a new community. The developers have
focused largely on what is necessary to ease this transition and facilitate closer
relationships between neighbors and service providers. The iCommunity team will
continue to work with residents to track changing needs and adapt as necessary.

5. Connecting Residents to Property Managers
 Using a smartphone app, iCommunity revolutionizes the experience of living in a
gated community in Egypt. Community managers can easily send out
announcement related to events, emergencies, or maintenance to all residents to
keep everyone informed. iCommunity brings these messages directly to residents
as push notifications to keep everyone in the loop.
 In addition, residents can use the app to submit service requests and then track
progress with the task. Instant emails and push notifications let residents know as
soon as a service request is either updates or resolved. Residents can view the
status of their requests in real time and use comments to voice any concerns or
issues that arise.

6. Connecting Residents to Each Other
 The other important features of iCommunity involves engagement with neighbors. The
app makes it easier than ever before to keep updated about what is happening in a
community. Individuals can send their neighbors private messages directly or start
larger, group discussions.
 In addition, the app even lets residents post recommendations and classified ads that
their neighbors can see. Residents can post about local news or share events that they
want their neighbors to attend.
 The iCommunity app can also play an important role in improving the security and
appearance of public areas. Residents can use the app to report and track any issues
that they see with public areas, including streets, parks, and common areas. This
connectivity makes it easier than ever before to recognize, report, and deal with
potential problems.

7. Connecting Residents to the Community
 Businesses may also become more involved with iCommunity moving forward.
Already, residents can browse through various community and local business
listings sorted by category. This feature makes it easier than ever before to find
vendors that understand the needs of a particular neighborhood.
 Currently, the listings include restaurants, retailers, healthcare providers, and
other services. Moving forward, businesses may be able to use the app to provide
special deals or other incentives for residents of a particular neighborhood.

8. Promoting Safety and Security for All Residents
 iCommunity understands the need for privacy and security. Just as neighbors
want to keep their physical communities secure, they also need a safe and
trusting environment online.
 Individuals can only join iCommunity for their particular communities after being
verified as residents. Furthermore, all residents are required to use their real
names. This prevents any issues with anonymity and holds everyone accountable
for the information that is shared.
 Moreover, residents have a great deal of control of the privacy settings for their
particular neighborhood group. This makes it possible for everyone to create the
type of social network that makes them feel secure.