RISE: The Journey ofJesse and Giselle
From a chance meeting at The Precinct to winning top prize at Momentum x iLab
I first met Jesse , the curly-haired guy behind Rise, on 9th May 2024 at an event held at The Precinct in Brisbane. The event was called "Startup Capital Raising Series" and it was aimed at early stage founders trying to make sense of funding. At that time both Jesse and I were new to the startup scene, raw and keen to learn.
The Precinct, Brisbane - Where the journey began
StartClub_BNE: The Foundation
Not long after that meeting I joined the StartClub_BNE pre-accelerator program , an initiative funded by the Queensland Government to support emerging entrepreneurs. It was a 12 week transformation. I learned a lot about what it really takes to turn an idea into a viable business.
A Partnership Formed
A few months later Jesse joined the second cohort of the same program. I remember watching him pitch Rise for the first time, and that night I had the privilege of meeting his co-founder, Giselle . From the start the two of them showed complementary strengths: Jesse's grounded curiosity paired with Giselle's drive and clarity of vision.
iLab Accelerator: Taking Flight
Our paths crossed again when I was accepted into the iLab Accelerator Program delivered by UQ Ventures . I was genuinely pleased to discover that Jesse and Giselle had also been selected into that prestigious and competitive program.
During the iLab journey I got to see their work up close. Their energy and commitment to Rise were remarkable. At the iLab 2025 pitch night Giselle presented. Even though English is her second language and she had only recently arrived in Australia, her presentation was authentic, clear and compelling. It was obvious that Rise was no longer just an idea but a business starting to make real impact.
What Does Rise Do?
Rise is a person-centred digital operating system that helps NDIS providers get registered and stay compliant from day one. Rise streamlines registration, automates real-time audits using AI, and simplifies legislation into usable workflows and documentation. Providers get ready-to-use policies and forms and can remain always audit ready, so they can focus on delivering exceptional care instead of paperwork.
Momentum x iLab: First Prize
After iLab their momentum grew. They were active across the startup community, continuing to refine the platform and sharpen the problem they were solving for providers. More recently I watched them pitch as part of the Momentum x iLab program. This time Giselle led the pitch and her delivery was even more polished and confident. Their progress was obvious. Rise won first prize and secured up to $100,000 in investment from UQ Ventures.
Rise wins first prize at Momentum x iLab 2025
The year 2025 has been about planting seeds for Jesse and Giselle : hard work, learning and building foundations. I am confident 2026 will be their year of growth and harvest. They have shown persistence, teamwork and a genuine commitment to improving care through better systems.
We have had the privilege of supporting Rise with trade mark protection, making sure their brand, reputation and the hard earned goodwill behind Rise are protected as they scale.
From that first conversation at The Precinct to watching them take home top prize at Momentum x iLab, their journey has been inspiring. Jesse and Giselle show what is possible when purpose and persistence come together. Here's to Rise, and to the headlines they are bound to make in 2026.
Celebrating the Win
UQ Ventures
ScaleUP Showcase & iLab x Momentum
Thank you for being part of an inspiring day celebrating innovation, ambition and collaboration. Together with more than 400 investors, mentors, founders and supporters.
🎉 First Prize: Rise
🌟 Entrepreneurs-in-Residence: Tripzy
💬 People's Choice: activATAR
Click to view on LinkedIn
Syed Mosawi
Registered Trade Marks Attorney & Founder of Joi
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