Leading the way is Rise N Start Ignite, Ethiopia’s pioneering Startup Pitch Competition for students.

This competition, hosted by RiseBack, is set to shape Ethiopia’s youth into tech trailblazers and emerging startup leaders, in alignment with the Ethiopian government’s vision of fostering innovation-driven economic growth.

Participants are encouraged to tackle challenges in sustainable development, HealthTech, Agritech, EV, and AI, inspiring them to craft inventive solutions.

What sets Rise N Start Ignite apart is its inclusivity – it’s open to both individuals and groups with no application fees, inviting students from schools and universities to participate.

The brightest minds stand not only to gain certificates but also to attract potential funding for their visionary concepts.

• Hackathon Event: January 19th-20th, 2024
• Location: Addis Ababa
• Application Deadline: January 10th, 2024
• No Application Fees

Affordable IT Education and Training: Igniting a Tech Revolution

RiseBack.org recognizes the pivotal role of accessible IT education and training in molding the next generation of tech leaders.

By democratizing technology education, RiseBack.org seeks to equip Ethiopian youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish startups, create high-paying jobs, and drive economic growth.

“Ethiopia, the best-performing African country, has set its sights on the IT and startup industry, recognizing that this focus could be a game changer,” said Zebib Sultan, RiseBack Ethiopia. “Technology, the cornerstone of our economy, is central to our vision, and with Rise N Start Ignite, we aim to empower our youth to become entrepreneurs and technopreneurs, potentially positioning Ethiopia as a leading tech hub in Africa.”

Recent years have seen Ethiopia’s economic progress fueled by a thriving startup ecosystem and a rapidly expanding internet economy. In 2022, Ethiopia’s startup ecosystem secured a prominent position in the African region. It is swiftly gaining ground in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Fostering Tech Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystems

Rise N Start Ignite is set to unleash a realm of opportunities for Ethiopian youth. By promoting innovative problem-solving and collaboration, the competition nurtures the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Affordable IT education equips participants with the skills not just to be job seekers but to create startups that drive the tech ecosystem forward.

Dr. Tausif Malik, Founder of RiseBack.org, emphasized, “Ethiopia’s brighter future lies in the hands of our youth. By offering affordable IT education and training, we are nurturing a new generation of tech-savvy entrepreneurs and innovators. Our aim goes beyond personal growth; it aligns with the Ethiopian government’s vision of a prosperous future driven by innovation.”

Expanding to Multiple Cities

In addition to our launch, RiseBack Ethiopia is committed to reaching youth beyond the capital. We plan to host the Rise N Start Ignite competition in other Ethiopian cities, providing young talents nationwide with opportunities for growth and innovation.

Ethiopia Startup Ecosystem

Ethiopia has made its mark in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index, securing a position in the top 100 for the first time and climbing five spots.

This accomplishment reflects Ethiopia’s vibrant startup ecosystem and its recognition on the global stage. Notably, according to Startupblink, there are several private sector organizations actively assisting entrepreneurs in Ethiopia’s business environment.

What sets Ethiopia apart is the unique trend of the Ethiopian diaspora returning to the country to champion digitalization and economic modernization.

They are granted special permits by the government to invest and operate in the country, further fueling the growth of the Ethiopian startup ecosystem.

The startup ecosystem overview with a population of over 122 million people shows Ethiopia as a huge untapped market for entrepreneurs to satisfy, especially as it transitions to a more digital economy. However, to secure and keep its rank for the next year Ethiopia has lot to do.

RiseBack.org’s expansion is a call to action for businesses, institutions, and government bodies to unite in building a brighter future for Ethiopia.

By investing in the youth and providing them with the tools to excel, RiseBack is paving the way for a tech-powered renaissance.

For more information about the Rise N Start Ignite Pitch Competition, and partnership opportunities, please visit HERE.

On Saturday January 21st 2023 Asian African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (AACCI), a bilateral chamber with presence in Africa & Asia launched their Maharashtra chapter and announcement of Brajesh Kumar as Chapter President at the Hotel Aurora Towers.

The chamber successfully completed 5 years of operation, the event was attended by professionals, entrepreneurs, heads of various business chambers, investors, & business persons from Pune & Maharashtra.

The event was hosted by Shivani Bhimraj Bhalsing, Asst Manager Youth Success Association.

The was graced by the following keynote speakers:

• Dr. Tausif Malik, founder RiseBack.org
• Mr. HP Shrivastava, Vice President Deccan Chamber of Commerce
• Mr. Nisar Sagar, President Muslim Chamber of Commerce
• Mr.Kamlesh Panchal, President Hindu Economic Forum

Brajesh Kumar as Chapter President AACCI welcome the invited guests and invited the keynote speakers and introduced the Dr.GD Singh, chairman AACCI and MJ Puri, Director AACCI

Dr.GD Singh, chairman AACCI, in its opening remark welcomed the invited guests and briefed them about the vision and objectives. His beliefs about spirituality, humanity, peace and progress.

MJ Puri gave the achievements, facts & figures about AACCI and welcomed the guests to be part of the AACCI.

Edtech Startup founder Dr.Tausif Malik thanked Brajesh Kumar and AACCI for the invitation and wished them for launching AACCI Maharashtra Chapter. Dr Malik in his address spoke about Affordable University Education from India and its impact on the global economy.

He highlighted the importance of IT and IT education and how Startup Edtech RiseBack is empowering American & African students and professionals with Affordable University Education from India starting at $75 per month.

Dr. Malik  also said that India and Africa have a long history with Africa and RiseBack have made strategic partnerships with organisations to promote Indian University education.

Mr. Nisar Sagar, President Muslim Chamber of Commerce in his address quoted the Holy Quran about humanity and beauty about humanity.

ALSO READ: Top 10 EdTech Startups to Watch 2023

He said their chamber’s visions align with the vision of AACCI. He said they have agreed to the partnership with AACI and would be looking forward to working with AACCI.

Mr. HP Shrivastava, Vice President Deccan Chamber of Commerce in his address spoke about his personal experiences of doing business with African countries, the business opportunities with India and Africa. He also shared with the audience about the partnership with AACCI and wished them for their launch.

Mr. Kamlesh Panchal, President Hindu Economic Forum in his address wished AACCI and its team about the launch of AACCI Maharashtra chapter, He said the India growth story is how the IT industry became a driver for the economic process and success of the Indian economy.

In an anecdote he said Indian brains create the best IT services for the world, which the Chinese cannot replicate. The IT industry will remain the economic driver and lead India in decades to lead the world economy.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Brajesh Kumar, Maharashtra Chapter President and Shivani Bhimraj Bhalsing, the event was open for networking.

RiseBack is one of the first and only EdTech platforms offering Undergraduate & Graduate degree programs and has partnered with leading Indian Universities to offer Affordable Colleges Degrees to American, African, and GCC region professionals & students.  RiseBack.org Edtech offers Affordable University Degrees starting at $75 per month.

Launched by Indian American Social Entrepreneur Dr. Tausif Malik, RiseBack offers affordable college degrees starting at $75 per month to students in the USA, Africa & GCC region.

The startup is one of the first and only EdTech platforms offering Undergraduate & Graduate degree programs, and has partnered with leading Indian Universities to offer affordable University Degree to students & professionals in USA, Africa & GCC region.

Many people would argue that current education needs a reboot, and online education has offered a new solution, which is democratic, one can avail it from anywhere anytime.

Organizations (non-profits or for-profits) have been actively leveraging the technology to help individuals and companies through YouTube, EdTech platforms, or Zoom. The majority of them support tutoring kids and preparing for competitive exams, entrance exams, or skill-based training programs.

It has impacted the lives of millions of students, one shining example is Khan Academy. There are various examples of entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg et al, who were college dropouts and established global corporations.

But, later these corporations are managed by University educated professionals. Hence, there will be always a need for qualified individuals and professionals.

Over the years, the cost of university education, especially in the US, has skyrocketed, which has resulted in many shying away from enrolling in degree programs for fear of student loans.

This has led to a shortage of qualified individuals and millions of individuals stuck up in their careers. Some challenged their situations and started their businesses, but many couldn’t take risks due to their circumstances.

Malik said that “He has lived across the GCC region and America. I have observed and met individuals and professionals working in the GCC region (UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain & Saudi Arabia) who are talented, intelligent, and hardworking, but because of lack of a University degree they are not able to get better positions and pay.”

Further, he said that “As an immigrant, I had the educational advantage of holding two Masters’ degrees from India, which I earned without high student debt. In fact, I could pay the tuition on my own, without taking any help from my parents or family or student loans. So, when I compared this with my fellow Americans, I had an advantage in that I didn’t have high student loans.”

As the future belongs to Africa, RiseBack aims to help individuals and organization to achieve personal, professional, and organizational goals by connecting Indian Universities and their affordable degree programs.

RiseBack would be hosting webinar series for students & professionals from Africa, America, & GCC for details and registration visit the site.

How education helps:

Individuals:

According to various research conducted by various organizations such as indeed.com. Income for undergraduates is greater than a 40% increase compared to an associate degree. Besides improved earning potential, it equips an individual with a larger range of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, resulting in growth for the professionals. The earnings increase from the bachelor’s level to the master’s level is approximately 20% (Indeed, 2021).

Education helps in an increase in remuneration, higher disposable, job security, retirement, and health benefits, and helps in ownership of the home.

Organizations:

An educated workforce helps increase the talent pool for organizations. Helps in reducing downtime & loss, creates innovation, helps in the expansion of business, and achieves goals & profit.

Economy:

In general, education — as a critical component of a country’s human capital — increases the efficiency of each individual worker and helps economies to move up the value chain beyond manual tasks or simple production processes (WEF 2016).

The idea of RiseBack was inspired by the Native American saying “To rise like a phoenix from the ashes”. Leveraging technology and connecting students & professionals with globally recognized Indian universities to pursue Undergraduate & Graduate degree programs and achieve their personal and professional goals.

The degree programs are not only affordable and accredited but can be studied from the comfort of their homes. The degree programs are so affordable that the average monthly fee starts at $75 per month.

Hence, No Student Debt, No cost of campus lodging and boarding, & learn while you earn.

Indian universities are established under the University Grants Commission of India, hence degrees are accepted globally, hence students can pursue their professional and academic careers.

Indian Universities over the years created super successful alumni who are heads of Fortune 500 companies, Noble Laureates, Scientists, Academicians, IT Professionals, Serial Entrepreneurs & investors.

RiseBack would be hosting webinar series for students & professionals from Africa, America, & GCC for details and registration, click here.

RiseBack is a small step in empowering the students to earn their future without Student Debt, this would make them more confident in achieving their higher professional goals, leading to higher disposable income and triggering economic activity.

Important quotes to digest:

“Education can propel the fast growing African countries into to high speed growth especially through startups & ITES sector”

“African Students & Professionals can study from the comfort of their homes and upgrade their careers”

“RiseBack is a small step in empowering the professionals to earn their future without Student Debt, this would make them more confident achieving their higher professional goals, leading to higher disposable income triggering economic activity”

RiseBack is one of the first and only EdTech platform offering Undergraduate & Graduate degree programs and has partnered with leading Indian Universities to offer Affordable Colleges Degree to American Students and the African Students & Professionals.

Students & professionals can study for Undergraduate & Graduate degrees at affordable fees and they don’t need to worry about the High cost of Education & Student debt. RiseBack wants to focus on offering affordable Undergraduate & Graduate degree programs to students, as academic degree programs paves the foundation for higher-paying jobs and education.

The objective of RiseBack is to leverage globalization by connecting students with Indian Universities, so they achieve their personal and their family’s dream of going to college

Indian universities are established under the University Grants Commission of India, hence degrees are accepted globally, hence students can pursue their professional and academic careers.

Malik said that “RiseBack is a small step in empowering the students to earn their future without Student Debt, this would make them more confident achieving their higher professional goals, leading to higher disposable income triggering economic activity”.

Africa is one of the fastest growing regions of the world with one of the highest youth populations and with recent various government initiatives the region is seen to be hub for the new economy such as startups, cryptos, blockchain, AI et al.

According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2022 showed that the Foreign Direct Investment inflow into Africa grew to $83 billion, which was an increase of 1.1% compared to 2020 reflecting the massive potential of Africa’s startup ecosystem.

Online education is gaining a traction post COVID-19 thanks to cheap mobile phones and hence, students and professionals can enrol through RiseBack.org platform to achieve their professional goals.

Educated and well informed workforce will help in contributing towards faster economic growth of the African economy. 

RiseBack benefits to students?

1. Affordable Education

2. Study from the comfort of home

3. Work and Study

4. Path to earn and achieve professional goals

What is RiseBack?

1.EduTech Platform connecting Students with Indian universities to earn their Undergraduate degree.

2. RiseBack additionally service offers – Skill & Professional Training & Certification Programs * US Evaluation of Degrees assistance * Recruitment assistance * Internship assistance * Incubation & Acceleration services for Students Startups.

How does RiseBack work?

1. RiseBack is an EduTech platform, where students can review, choose and register for Undergraduate degree programs – B.A, B.Com, BBA, BCA & Masters (Graduate) degree programs MA, M.Com, MBA, MCA degree programs offered by Indian Universities.

2. The Indian Universities directly deliver the lectures, assignments, and tests to the students.

RiseBack offers value-added courses related to their Undergraduate & Graduate degree program or as per their career objectives.

Indian Universities over the years created super successful alumni who are heads of Fortune 500 companies, Noble Laureates, Scientists, Academicians, IT Professionals, Serial Entrepreneurs & investors.

Dr. Malik concludes that this would be the best partnership for the Africa and India and it would be a win-win situation.

Students & professionals from across the globe can visit at RiseBack.org to know more about the degree programs.