A Retrospective on a Decade of RiseUp: Examining the Growth of MENA's Biggest Gathering for Entrepreneurship
The RiseUp Summit, a prominent entrepreneurship and innovation event, kicked off in 2013 and has now reached its 10th edition in 2023. Originally held in Egypt, the summit has become a major platform for startups, investors, and innovators across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
A Journey of Growth and Evolution
The RiseUp Summit has seen significant growth since its inception, attracting thousands of attendees from around the world, including entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. Over the years, the event has evolved to embody Egypt's rich history and culture, often held in iconic venues such as the Grand Egyptian Museum, symbolising the country's heritage and its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Key Milestones
- 2013: The inaugural RiseUp Summit was launched, establishing a crucial networking platform for entrepreneurs and startups in the MENA region.
- In its sophomore year, RiseUp extended an invitation to MENA and the rest of the world to participate in its summit.
- In 2013, Ahmed el Alfy, founder of the GrEEK Campus, announced that the space was opening its doors to startups and entrepreneurs who wanted to set up shop and rent offices with affordable rates.
- The most talked about news of RiseUp '21 was mass transit startup SWVL making its IPO announcement and officially declaring itself a unicorn.
- In 2016, two critical changes were made to the setup of the summit: an extra day was added to the summit, and the venue expanded to include the neighboring AUC Tahrir Campus.
- The RiseUp Summit, the region's largest startup and entrepreneurship event, was held for its 10th edition at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
- Amazon's Vice President for the Middle East and Africa Ronaldo Mochawar, Manager of Content at LinkedIn "Socially Nina" Thomas, the Immersive Director at Walt Disney Studios Jeff Gibson, and Google's Head of Business Acceleration Shinez Chalabi were among the highlights of RiseUp '23's speaker lineup.
Thematic Trends
Across the decade, the RiseUp Summit has focused on increasing international participation, expanding programming, and fostering technology, social entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment. Strategic hosting at culturally significant sites like the Grand Egyptian Museum has symbolised the blend of tradition and innovation.
Looking Forward
As the RiseUp Summit turns 10, it continues to cement its role as a flagship event for fostering startup ecosystems in Egypt and beyond. With its 10th edition held at the Grand Egyptian Museum, the summit has marked a significant milestone in its journey. As the summit moves forward, it promises to continue facilitating investment opportunities, showcasing emerging technologies, and promoting regional economic growth.
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