Egypt's Famed Entrepreneurship Platform 'Rise Up' Comes Home!

One thing the pandemic hasn’t been able to curb is the sheer dynamo passion of our region’s entrepreneurs. Founders have proven resilient and relentless when it comes to fighting the good fight and the sentiment is echoed by those pivotal platforms working to support startups. One such platform is, of course, Egypt’s own RiseUp. 

The mega startup platform - best known for its annual RiseUp summit which usually takes place in December -  is now launching an unprecedented digital edition that would include most, if not all, the cherries on top of their traditional summit’s cake. Titled ‘Riseup From Home’ the special edition is aptly themed ‘Got Grit?’ and will focus on how the ecosystem has shifted and adapted to a post-COVID world. Everyone’s favourite summit features will be making their digital debut including keynotes, fireside chats and Q&As by regional and international superstar speakers as well as the summit’s highly sought out 101 and advanced deep dive workshops.

Far from a watered down version of the annual summit, #RiseUpFromHome will be an opportunity for entrepreneurs from all across the MENA region to attend, network and have access to online versions of on-ground activities. Look out for ‘exhibitions’ - which will allow startups to present their portfolio online on a dedicated landing page - as well as talent matchmaking for employers to meet with job seekers.

“As a company whose mission is to support startups and connect them with the most relevant resources they need to thrive, we knew we had to step in with this special edition digital event, reconnecting entrepreneurs with one another and arming them with the resources they need to build resilience in the face of shocks like COVID-19,” Abdelhameed Sharara, CEO of RiseUp, told #StartUpScene. “RiseUp from Home is for founders, for startups, for aspiring entrepreneurs, and for everyone else in the ecosystem who wants to face crises like COVID-19 with more grit.”

The crowning jewel of RiseUp Summit over the span of its six year run has always been the speaker lineup, with this digital edition being no exception. The roster of leaders, creatives, tech tycoons, industry veterans, seasoned investors and serial entrepreneurs will include Mona Ataya, founder and CEO of Mumzworld, Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer at PepsiCo, Scott Jenson, Product Strategist at Google and Amir Barsoum, founder and CEO of Vezeeta... among many others.

"Beyond shouldering the direct economic impact of COVID-19, successful entrepreneurs must cultivate a strong sense of grit in order to view setbacks as catalysts of growth and progress - not threats to survival,” said Salma Khamis, RiseUp's Communications Manager. “Grit requires strength and flexibility: it is passion and perseverance in action. These topics, and more, will be the focus of RiseUp from Home." 

The digital edition’s theme, ‘Got Grit?’ will be echoed throughout the digital summit, with previous tracks such as Creative Culture, Smart Capital, Emerging Tech and Tech for Humans making a comeback, along with a new track addition, People. The tech tracks will of course hone in on the innovations that have swept the world over in the past months, including industries such as edtech, proptech and healthtech. 

To find out more about ‘RiseUp from Home’, and to register your spot, visit the website right here.