Upcoming Events
Past Events
Evidence-based Innovation & Investment in Education
The first in a series of Summits, this event is a gathering of education innovators, researchers, investors, and other capacity-building organizations to highlight effective solutions and co-create collaborations for action that enable an evidence-based scale up of innovations that are driving impact in Egypt.
By invitation only; learn more at here.
A World of Opportunities
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation, the ILO Cairo Office and the Middle East Council for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship (MCSBE) will hold the third Egypt Entrepreneurship Summit in Red Sea governorate from 16 to 18 November 2016, titled "A New World of Opportunities”. RISE is proud to participate in this year’s roundtable on women-led enterprises in Egypt.
By invitation only.
Philanthropy & Civic Engagement
We are proud to be presenting work at this year’s conference under the theme “Philanthropy in Transition: Exploring the Paths to the SDGs”. RISE will be presenting a paper on Evidence-based Innovation and Investment toward the SDGs in Egypt, as well as facilitating a panel on Entrepreneurship for Development in Egypt. Come visit us if you’re planning to attend!
By application only; learn more on the AUC website.
RISE Egypt is a community partner for ABANA’s first Tech Summit, where there will be a pitch for start-ups looking for investment. Hosted by the Harvard Business School Alumni Angels of NY (the largest angel investment group on the east coast), the Harvard Arab Alumni Association, and HOF Capital. If you’re in the NYC area or can be, this will be a special event and opportunity not to be missed.
About the Conference
The U.S.-MENA Tech Summit is the first in an annual series of Tech Summits focused on sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, family offices, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs interested in technology-driven entrepreneurship and with ties to the Middle East and North Africa region.
Open to the public with registration fee; learn more at http://www.abana.co/
Impact of CSR Initiatives on Improving Egypt’s Economic Competitiveness
RISE Egypt will be participating in this event with a table. If you’re around, please stop by and say hi.
About the Conference
The ILO Cairo Office and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) in cooperation with USAID will hold the Third Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Conference in Cairo on 10 April 2017, titled "Impact of CSR Initiatives on Improving Egypt’s Economic Competitiveness".
The conference will highlight the opportunities offered by business through its CSR programmes to create new jobs opportunities, to develop entrepreneurship, to support supply chains.
Registration is free and open to the public; learn more at http://www.ilo.org/
We celebrate an important milestone of graduating our first class of RISE Fellows with supporters and partners from our community.
By invitation only.
December 3-4, 2016 in Washington D.C.
January 8, 2017 in Cairo, Egypt
RISE kicks off its new Global Ambassadors Program by bringing together our inaugural class of Ambassadors from North America, Europe and the Middle East to co-create our vision and milestones for the coming year together. This program will be crucial in expanding strategic global outreach and creating local events that feed into our global events and work on the ground in Egypt.
By invitation only.
Agents of Change: Arabs reimagining the future
Representing RISE Egypt, Mona Mowafi, will be speaking at the 'Agents of Change ' panel, which will take place Friday, November 11 between 2 - 3:15 pm.
About the Panel
The Arab world is facing many challenges across various sectors—from political stability to human capital development, job creation, inclusive economic growth, and diversification. Such challenges are hindering the development of many Arab countries, leaving millions of discouraged youth with little hope for their future. Despite these realities, there are some Arab men and women who are determined to turn regional obstacles and challenges into opportunities. These "agents of change” have created interventions and initiatives that have made a difference, not only to their communities but also globally. In doing so, they have helped to rectify the negative perceptions of the Arab world. Their stories showcase determination in shaping a brighter future for the region. They are a source of inspiration for younger generations and a reminder of the immense talent and potential the Arab World holds.
Tickets for available purchase; learn more at http://harvardarabweekend.com/
RISE Egypt will participate in this conference bringing together voices in the SME sector in Egypt to talk about finance, capacity-building, and the regulatory environment.
Open to the public; learn more at http://smebeyondborders.com/egypt/
RISE Egypt is a proud Programming Partner for the upcoming Concordia Summit during United Nations in New York City from September 19-20, 2016. We will be running two sessions around the theme "Seeds of Change: Entrepreneurship for Development in the Middle East." Global leaders, c-suite executives, philanthropists and public policy leaders from around the world will gather to discuss the role of public-private partnerships in addressing global development challenges of the day.
By invitation only; learn more at www.concordia.net.
Join the region’s top business plan competition, drawing hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, and others interested in supporting the region’s up-and-coming innovators. RISE Egypt will be present and we hope you will join us for this important regional event.
Open to the public; tickets at MITEF Pan Arab Region.
Collaboration for Community Change: Insight, Innovation, and Impact
This event will bring together academics and practitioners from across the region to network and to share effective practices for community change. RISE Egypt has been selected to present a paper entitled “Case Studies in the Role of Creative Partnerships and Data-Driven Approaches in Supporting Entrepreneurship for Development in Egypt.”
Open to the public. More information on the AUC website.
Egypt’s premier conference to bring together the entire entrepreneurship ecosystem! Panels, pitches, workshops, social events and networking. RISE Egypt will present its work on a panel entitled ‘Entrepreneurship with Impact’ on December 13th.
Open to the public; tickets at www.riseupsummit.com.
Throughout these 2 weeks, RISE global advisors will visit fellows in Egypt to engage hands on in their places of work. Cross-cutting workshops for all fellows and social events bring together the whole community to deepen ties, networks, and depth of work conducted together.
RISE fellows, staff, and global advisors/partners.
Entrepreneurship Conference & Evening Gala
Entrepreneurs, capacity-building organizations, and public policy officials will present their work to support Arab and Arab-American entrepreneurs to the public and diplomatic communities. RISE President Mona Mowafi will present RISE Egypt’s work from the past 3 years - come join and network with DC’s Arab-American and diplomatic communities.
Free and open to the public.
Reducing Risks, Unlocking Potential
The 3rd Annual Conference on Egypt hosted by MEI will convene a diverse group of Egyptian and American officials, scholars and entrepreneurs to look beneath the surface of Egypt’s most pressing issues. RISE fellow Seif Abouzeid (Tahrir Academy) will join a panel entitled ‘Economic Development and Entrepreneurial Innovation,’ with co-panelists Amr Adly (AUC), Heba El-Gazzar (World Bank), and Mohamed Zaazoue (Healthy Egyptians), moderated by RISE President, Mona Mowafi.
Free and open to public. More information on their website.
RISE is launching Global Town Halls! Join us for our inaugural town hall where we will pool insights from you about some of Egypt’s most pressing issues in education. In our first town hall, we will stimulate a lively discussion, fostering diverse dialogue between community members from all professional backgrounds and drawing in experts on education reform to push our thinking to new heights. RISE Town Halls place the agency of change in our hands, leveraging the smarts of our global community to tackle key development challenges in Egypt. Town hall resolutions will inform the RISE Research and Policy Initiative.
Free and open to the public.
Following the Middle East Institute event, join us to unwind on a beautiful dinner cruise on the Potomac River. This will be a chance to get to know the RISE Entrepreneurs, organizational partners, and other members of the RISE community in a more relaxed and intimate setting.
Open to public; tickets $100/person.
In partnership with the Middle East Institute, join us for a stimulating discussion with RISE Entrepreneurs, policymakers and investors on how to scale investments in education, the environment, and other critical sectors to create positive social and economic impact in Egypt.
Open to the public.
RISE fellows engage in cross-cutting workshops then travel to meet global advisors, attend conferences, and develop business partnerships on individual team basis. Throughout six cities across the United States, as well as, Bogota, Columbia.
RISE fellows, staff, and global advisors/partners.
RISE Egypt Presents
RISE Egypt was honored to keynote at the Egyptian Cancer Networks' annual gala in Montreal, Canada.
RISE fellows join staff in a 1-day orientation followed by deep dive consultations between each team and staff members to assess needs and outline program for stage 1 of the fellowship (first 6 months). The week will be capped by a group retreat.
RISE fellows and staff only.
Conference & Reception
RISE finally moves from pre-launch to launch! Come join us at a tour-de-force event where top speakers from industry, entrepreneurship/investment, research and policy backgrounds will share their insights and engage in dynamic discussions around what it takes to accelerate entrepreneurship for development in Egypt. The first class of RISE Fellows will also be announced and will present their work.
Open to the public. For more information, go to http://www.riseegypt.org/launch-event/
The MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab is the largest conference and business plan competition in the region, drawing thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, capacity-building organizations, and the public in a 3-day event. RISE Co-founder & President will speak on the ‘Social Impact Rising’ panel to discuss the role social enterprise can have in spurring job-creation, innovation, and impact in the MENA region.
Open to the public.
Destination MENA - Unlocking the Region’s Potential
Wharton Business School’s premier conference focused on entrepreneurship and investment opportunities in the MENA region. This year’s conference will shed light on the social and economic changes taking place in the region today, and the opportunities to grow the region further. RISE Egypt President Mona Mowafi will join Mercy Corps’ Investment Coordinator to discuss the role and potential of impact investing in the MENA region.
Open to the public; tickets at www.whartonmenaconference.org.
Weak economic opportunities were a central driver of the 2011 Arab uprisings. Three years later, unemployment and underemployment remain high across the Middle East and North Africa. Yet, in Egypt and across the region, entrepreneurship is on the rise, and many see it as central to generating economic stability and growth. In this roundtable meeting, speakers James Harmon and Mona Mowafi will discuss how entrepreneurship can help Egypt overcome its economic challenges.
By invitation only.
This panel event, sponsored by the Middle East Institute, explores the possibilities for investment in Egypt. Speakers include Mona Mowafi (Co-founder & President, RISE Egypt), Dina Sherif (Co-founder & Managing Partner, Ahead of the Curve), Jim Harmon (Chairman and CEO, Caravel Management, LLC; Chairman, Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund), and Yumna Madi (Co-founder & Business Development Director, KarmSolar). Moderated by Chris Schroeder, author of "Start-up Rising".
Free and open to the public.
RISE senior research advisors convened to discuss and structure RISE’s think tank.
By invitation only.
RISE global accelerator - pilot for the fellowship program with the 3 winners of the Egypt NEGMA competition from MIT. Held between Boston and Washington DC.
Closed to the public.
Newsletter Archive
We have compiled an archive of all our old newsletters so you can get up to date on all the events and projects we have been involved in since our conception.
If you are interested to stay in the loop you can subscribe to receive quarterly updates from our newsletter.
2017
2016
December 23 / End of Year Update [pdf]
September 11 / September Update [pdf]
August 26 / Two Great Opportunities to Make an Impact [pdf]
July 27 / Global Ambassadors Program [pdf]
June 10 / Ramadan Kareem | The Gift of Opportunity [pdf]
May 22 / A City for All Conference [pdf]
March 11 / Taking a Leap in 2016 [pdf]
2015
October 14 / Fall Developments [pdf]
July 30 / Spotlight Series 1 [pdf]
July 11 / Highlights from 2015 RISE Global Accelerator [pdf]
June 4 / RISE Community Cruise [pdf]
June 2 / RISE Spotlight Launch [pdf]
May 20 / 'Social Enterprise in Egypt' Event [pdf]
May 5 / Summer Developments [pdf]
January 16 / Spring Developments [pdf]
RISE President, Dr. Mona Mowafi, will serve on the judging panel for the social enterprise track at the 11th Annual MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Competition. If you are planning to attend, please come by and say hello.
By invitation only; learn more at www.mitarabcompetition.com.