Launched in 2023, Rising Herts is a student-focused entrepreneurship program delivered through a strategic partnership between Gemini Africa and the University of Hertfordshire (hosted by the Global Academic Foundation – UH-GAF) in Egypt. Implemented over two consecutive academic years (2023–2024), the program aims to equip university students with the entrepreneurial mindset, skills, and practical experience needed to transform ideas into real business projects. Rising Herts bridges academic learning with real-world entrepreneurial practice, preparing students to engage confidently with Egypt’s startup ecosystem as founders, innovators, and future business leaders.

The program was implemented in Cairo, completing two cohorts and reaching 50 university students. Participation reflected a strong commitment to inclusion and youth empowerment, with female and youth representation embedded within the program’s design.

Participants progressed through a structured entrepreneurship journey that combined learning, mentorship, and ecosystem exposure. Through Gemini Africa’s signature 3Ms framework — Mentorship, Matchmaking, and Money — students received tailored guidance to develop and refine their entrepreneurial ideas while gaining meaningful exposure to key actors within the startup ecosystem. The program also featured speaker sessions and networking opportunities, enabling students to engage directly with founders, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals, and to gain real-world insights and inspiration. The journey culminated in pitching sessions and demo days, where student teams presented their ventures before panels of entrepreneurs and experts, receiving structured feedback, strategic guidance, and potential seed support opportunities.

Through Rising Herts, participants developed comprehensive business models and pitch decks while creating student-led startup projects ready for incubation or further acceleration. They strengthened key employability skills, including critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and communication, and gained direct mentorship exposure from entrepreneurs and industry experts. The program also provided access to broader startup ecosystems and professional networks, expanding students’ opportunities beyond the classroom. Top-performing teams were awarded cash prizes and seed funding support, encouraging the continued development and scaling of promising ideas.

In terms of impact, Rising Herts has demonstrated the value of sustained university–industry collaboration, with multiple editions — including Rising Herts 2.0 — reflecting strong and ongoing commitment from both partners. The program plays a meaningful role in preparing students to move beyond theory, engage with entrepreneurship in practice, and actively contribute to Egypt’s innovation and startup ecosystem.