How did RISE start?
RISE held its first RISE Week conference in 2007, reflecting the vision of co-creators Roy and Bertrand Sosa. In 2006, the Sosas – both successful entrepreneurs – were approached by the Kauffman Foundation to lead an initiative for Austin as part of the first “Entrepreneurship Week USA.” Their concept was to create a not-for-profit conference for and by entrepreneurs that would truly embody and celebrate Austin’s entrepreneurial spirit. They modeled RISE on a format similar to South by Southwest, in which multiple events would be held simultaneously at venues around Austin.
