After more than a decade of consistent growth, Egypt’s startup ecosystem is entering a new phase of maturation. This year’s RiseUp Summit, taking place from February 5–7 at the Grand Egyptian Museum, is set to capture this evolution with a deliberate theme: The Turning Point. Now in its 12th year, the event signals a shift from building momentum to defining a clear, intentional direction for the future.
From Emergence to Durability
The early years of Egypt’s startup scene were defined by establishing access to capital, networks, and global frameworks. That foundational work has paid off, leading to an ecosystem that has significantly expanded in scale and confidence.
The central question has now evolved. The focus is shifting from the speed of growth to the challenge of building durable, resilient companies. RiseUp Summit 2026 aims to provide a platform for founders, investors, and operators to engage with this new paradigm, moving beyond early-stage experimentation toward sustainable, long-term success.
A Global Agenda for a Maturing Ecosystem
This year’s agenda reflects the increasing interconnection between technology, capital, and the creative economy. Instead of focusing on a single vertical, the summit brings together a diverse lineup of speakers to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue.
Senior leaders from global giants like AWS, Google, IBM, Shopify, and SoftBank Investment Advisers will be present, alongside prominent regional and global investors from firms such as 500 Global and Quona Capital. Their participation underscores the ecosystem’s move towards scale, sophisticated execution, and global relevance. Key discussions will address how founders can navigate longer funding cycles, the foundational role of AI, and the strategies required for regional startups to achieve international competitiveness.
The Significance of Place and Purpose
The choice to host the summit at the Grand Egyptian Museum is a symbolic one. It places the future of Egyptian entrepreneurship within the context of a rich historical legacy, suggesting that innovation builds upon history rather than abandoning it.
In a rapidly changing global landscape, the trajectory of Egypt’s ecosystem will be defined not just by its growth rate, but by the deliberateness of its evolution. RiseUp Summit 2026 is positioned as a critical moment for alignment, offering the community a chance to reassess its direction before the next wave of acceleration begins.
About RiseUp
RiseUp is a leading platform dedicated to connecting startups in the Middle East and Africa with the most relevant resources worldwide. Through its flagship summit and various year-round activities, RiseUp fosters entrepreneurship, facilitates networking between founders and investors, and provides a stage for showcasing the region’s most promising innovations to a global audience.
Source: Waya
