Under the auspices of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, the RiseUp Summit 2026 is set to redefine the regional startup landscape. Taking place from February 5th–7th at the iconic Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the 13th edition of the summit arrives under the theme “The Turning Point.”
A Revolutionary Format: Interaction Over Observation
This year, RiseUp is fundamentally reshaping the summit experience. Moving away from traditional panel discussions and keynotes, the 2026 edition introduces a hands-on, experience-driven approach. Furthermore, attendees will engage in innovative formats designed to foster real-world skills, including:
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Live Demos & Simulations: Deep dives into product functionality.
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Roast My Startup & Reverse Tank: Provocative sessions to test business models.
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Interactive Debates: High-stakes discussions on the future of tech and capital.
Abdelhameed Sharara, Founder and CEO of RiseUp, stated: “This edition marks a real reset. We are redesigning the summit around interaction and tangible outcomes so that startups leave with partnerships and real growth opportunities.”
Guaranteed Funding: The RiseUp & A Ventures Pitch Competition
One of the most anticipated highlights is the return of the RiseUp & A Ventures Pitch Competition. Notably, the competition offers guaranteed funding of up to USD 500,000. This massive investment opportunity highlights RiseUp’s commitment to injecting capital directly into the most promising startups in the Middle East and Africa.
Global Speakers and Strategic Partnerships
The summit will host a world-class lineup of experts from global giants, including OpenAI, Google, SoftBank, Meta, LinkedIn, and the World Bank. In addition, the event is supported by industry leaders such as:
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Main Partner: Madinet Masr.
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Key Partners: Seven (a Beltone subsidiary), TikTok, Deloitte, IM Motors, and Mada Capital.
Consequently, with an expected attendance of 15,000 to 20,000 founders, investors, and professionals, the summit serves as a global bridge for Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A Legacy of Success: From Local Startups to Global Impact
RiseUp has consistently been the launchpad for Egypt’s most successful ventures. For instance, Uber Bus made its Egyptian debut at RiseUp 2018, while logistics giant Bosta launched in 2016. Similarly, MNT-Halan used the platform to scale its financial services. Perhaps most impressively, Nawah Scientific—a 2017 pitch winner—has since raised over USD 23 million, proving that homegrown deep-tech can achieve global scale.
