From GCU Business Grad to CEO: Zach Hamptonstall on Building Rise48 Equity

Zach Hamptonstall graduated from GCU's Colangelo College of Business in 2016 and co-founded Rise48 Equity just two years later. He credits GCU's MBA program with giving him the leadership and business skills to make it happen, and he's now actively recruiting GCU grads for their work ethic and strong values. He also shares what it's like sitting in on CCOB board meetings, where he's seen students build real, profitable businesses through Canyon Ventures. Learn more about GCU at https://www.gcu.edu About Grand Canyon University: Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is an Arizona-based private Christian university and one of the largest universities in the country.* We’re committed to delivering an affordable and transformative higher education that serves its students, the community and God. Based in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona, GCU integrates a welcoming Christian worldview into 385 academic programs, as of March 2026, on our vibrant, growing campus. And if you need more flexibility, over 315 programs are offered within our online learning environment, giving you the personal freedom and support you need to earn your degree in the time you have — from wherever you are. At GCU, we work to develop servant leaders. We challenge and inspire you to become an innovative thinker, effective communicator, global contributor and the kind of changemaker who invigorates your community by placing the interests of others before your own. GCU aims to not simply teach but provide a path to moral, emotional and spiritual well-being in an environment that opens our hearts to students from all backgrounds and denominations. With an ongoing commitment to academic excellence, GCU is experiencing an exciting era of community impact and campus expansion that includes new residence halls, amenities, academic and athletic facilities and immersive, hands-on labs that allow for experiential learning. Whether you’re looking to earn a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree, GCU believes that quality education should be accessible to all with a supportive graduation team behind you. Learn more about GCU’s programs, competitive tuition rates and scholarship offers from your dedicated university counselor who takes a personalized approach. Find your purpose at GCU. Visit http://www.gcu.edu or start your journey at GCU today: https://www.gcu.edu/rmi/ApplyNow Explore Grand Canyon University: Visit GCU’s website: http://www.gcu.edu Follow GCU on Facebook:   / grandcanyonu   Follow GCU on Instagram:   / gcu   Follow GCU on X:   / gcu   Connect with GCU on LinkedIn:   / grand-canyon-university   *National Center for Education Statistics. May 2021. Fast Facts: Highest Enrollment. https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.... Retrieved April 14, 2023. Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLCommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Approved and verified accurate by the Director of the T.W. Lewis Center for Student Success of the Colangelo College of Business on June 19, 2026.