RiseUp Summit Kicks Off Thursday Under the Auspices of the Ministry of Planning Egypt

Mustafa Eid, Cairo, 2 Feb 2026:

Egypt — RiseUp Summit, the region’s pioneering platform connecting founders, investors, and innovators across the Middle East and Africa, is set to take place at the Grand Egyptian Museum from February 5 to 7, marking its 13th edition under the theme “The Turning Point.”

This year’s edition reflects a pivotal moment for the entrepreneurial ecosystem, highlighting how bold decisions, hard-earned lessons, and the courage to grow shape defining turning points for startups, investors, and ecosystem builders, driving the continued evolution of Egypt’s startup landscape.

RiseUp Summit returns this year with a completely reimagined format, moving away from traditional panel discussions and keynote sessions in favor of a more hands-on, experience-driven approach. The new structure places attendees at the center of the action through interactive formats such as Live Demos, Debates, “Roast My Startup,” “Reverse Tank,” simulations, and other immersive experiences designed to generate practical outcomes and meaningful engagement.

Abdelhameed Sharara, Founder and CEO of RiseUp, said that the 13th edition represents a strategic reset for the summit, noting that the new vision focuses on experience, interaction, and tangible impact. He emphasized that the goal is to bring ideas, capital, and talent together in one shared space, enabling startups to leave the summit with momentum, partnerships, and real growth opportunities rather than simply attending an event.

One of the main highlights of the summit will be the return of the RiseUp & A Ventures Pitch Competition, which will offer guaranteed funding of up to USD 500,000, with the winning startups to be announced during the closing ceremony.

The summit will also host a lineup of international, world-class speakers representing the technology, venture capital, innovation, and public sectors, alongside leading entrepreneurs and policymakers. This diverse participation underscores RiseUp’s expanding role as a regional platform with global relevance, particularly as it continues to scale into new international markets beyond Egypt. Participating organizations include Google, SoftBank, IBM, DC Comics, Meta, OpenAI, the World Bank, LinkedIn, and others.

Held with Madinet Masr as the main partner, and supported by strategic partners including Seven, a Beltone subsidiary, TikTok, Deloitte, IM Motors, Mada Capital, and others, RiseUp Summit places partners at the core of the experience. Partners actively engage with attendees through real-world applications, knowledge sharing, and opportunity creation that extends beyond the duration of the event.

The three-day summit is expected to attract between 15,000 and 20,000 attendees, bringing together founders, investors, students, and professionals from across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Designed to combine learning, meaningful networking, and opportunity creation, the summit reinforces RiseUp’s position as a key driver of the regional startup ecosystem and a catalyst for entrepreneurship, providing direct access to ideas, capital, and scalable growth pathways.

Since its inception, RiseUp has served as a launchpad for some of Egypt’s most impactful startup success stories. Uber Bus made its Egyptian debut at RiseUp 2018, marking a turning point in urban mobility, while logistics company Bosta first launched at RiseUp 2016. MNT-Halan also introduced its innovative financial services through the summit, connecting with thousands of users and supporters. In addition, Nawah Scientific won USD 50,000 at the 2017 RiseUp Pitch Competition and has since raised USD 23 million, transforming a local deep-tech venture into a globally impactful company.

Founded in 2013, RiseUp is a global platform dedicated to empowering startups by connecting entrepreneurs with key stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem, including investors, corporations, policymakers, and industry leaders. The organization is best known for its flagship annual RiseUp Summit, a pioneering event that helped spark a widespread entrepreneurial movement across the Middle East and Africa over the past decade and is now expanding globally, following its recent launch in Saudi Arabia and its upcoming expansion into the Netherlands.

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