RiseUp Summit 2017 to focus on how innovation can improve human experience

RiseUp, a movement that supports startups across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by connecting them to resources, is set to hold its third annual RiseUp Summit in Cairo, Egypt between 1 and 3 December.

This year’s edition of the RiseUp Summit is themed “Innovation to Improve Human Experience”.

In a press release to Ventureburn, organisers of the summit said the three-day summit will feature over 150 speakers, 150 exhibiting startups, 200 investors, up to 50 pitches and 20 workshops.

The summit is set to bring together key players in the MENA ecosytem and give them an opportunity to meet and pitch to investors as well as  learn about best practices.

RiseUp Summit 2017 will take place between 1 and 3 December in Cairo

“Our focus is on ideas that are unique, creative and disruptive, so we can push thought leaders to confidently conquer their markets, not only inside their countries, but also across the region, and very possibly, the world,” RiseUp Summit manager Dalia Kamar said in the release.

Confirmed speakers include Chris Do, founder of concept design platform The Futur, Udacity CEO Vish Makhijani and Udacity COO Clarissa Shen.

Sharif El-Badawi, a partner at 500 Startups and TechWadi chairman, will be among the seed investors in attendance at the summit.

Alongside the summit, more than 50 Satellite Events will be held where demo days, panel discussions, fireside chats, hackathons and other activities will take place.

“Every year, we continually enhance the experience we offer our attendees. The summit itself is a truly enriching experience, but our Satellite Events help us add more value than ever before. Hosting these events is open to everyone, giving us a chance to reach a wider audience and offer even more diverse, value-adding content,” said Kamar.

In addition, during the summit, RiseUp will in partnership with Egyptian venture capital firm Algebra Ventures to showcase 18 of the MENA’s most high potential startups (HIPOs).

“HIPOs will not only get the chance to meet potential investors, employees and customers, but they will also get opportunities at world class educational institutions like Harvard, Stanford, IE
and Singularity. We believe in their potential, and we want to do our part to put them on the entrepreneurial map,” Kamar added.

Find out more information on the RiseUp Summit 2017 agenda here.