The fourth annual Relationship and Information Series for Entrepreneurs (RISE) returns to Austin, Texas, March 1-5, 2010 with five full days of free sessions covering a wide range of topics of interest to aspiring, new and established entrepreneurs in all industries. If you’re interested in becoming a host or participant, you can register online at www.riseaustin.org.

RISE, known for innovation and new ideas now has new areas of the organization.

-RISE Funding Forum
-RISE Fast Pitch Competition and the
-RISE Clean Technology Session Series.

Speakers this year include:

Red McCombs- One of Texas’ best known entrepreneurs.

Blake Mycoskie- A respected social entrepreneur who founded TOMS Shoes based out of Santa Monica, California.

“We are reminded in times of crisis that the American economy thrives when small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive,” said Red McCombs. “RISE is such a powerful way to connect them to what they need most to succeed – knowledge, resources and one another – and a great example of what the entrepreneurial spirit can achieve. I’m proud to be part of it this year.”

The basic premise of RISE is that it provides a unique forum where attendees can exchange expertise with entrepreneurs from diverse industries and backgrounds and form lasting professional connections. Unlike a traditional conference, RISE is a non-profit event with no cost to participate, and sessions are independently organized, peer-led and limited to 25 participants. Sessions take place in venues around Greater Austin. It is certainly an advantageous event to take part in and an asset to the community.

For any entrepreneur seeking input and ready to test their ideas in front of many, the RISE Fast Pitch Competition and RISE Funding Forum are new events designed to give aspiring entrepreneurs venues where they can gain experience pitching their business ideas, receive expert feedback and connect with potential investors and partners. Ten groups will deliver a one-minute business pitch as they vie for Crowd Favorite and Grand Prize Winner in the Fast Pitch Competition on March 3rd. In the RISE Funding Forum, several distinguished panels of experienced investors, executives and entrepreneurs will consult with six groups of entrepreneurs as they share in-depth reviews of their business plans. Early-stage entrepreneurs of all types may apply to participate in either or both events online at www.riseaustin.org before February 12.

Returning to RISE 2010 are the popular Hispanic Entrepreneurs Series and the Austin Women Entrepreneurs Series, both introduced last year. These and other series – including the new Multicultural Entrepreneurs Series, Clean Technology Series and Retail and Restaurant Entrepreneurs Series – are a signature component of RISE each year designed to ensure sessions reflect the diversity of the region’s entrepreneur communities.

RISE participation is free due to the generosity of returning sponsors Acton School of Business, Austin Business Journal, Austin Ventures, Capital One Bank, Ernst & Young, Holtzman Moellenberg Panozzo Perkins, LLP and Silverton Foundation and new sponsors Brown McCarroll, LLP, DLA Piper, Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas, The Entrepreneurs’ Organization, FOLIO Communications Group, LLC, Green Mountain Energy, Nationwide Insurance and Sweet Leaf Tea Company.

Created in 2007 by Roy Sosa and Bertrand Sosa, brothers and accomplished Austin entrepreneurs, RISE has grown to attract 1,800 attendees in more than 120 sessions in three short years. In 2010, RISE expects to attract 2,500 entrepreneurs to participate in more than 150 sessions.

For more information on RISE, visit www.riseaustin.org, follow RISE on Facebook and Twitter or contact Annie Frierson at annie@riseaustin.org.