Lebanese Republic 
Entrepreneurship competitions
Francophone Entrepreneurial Women’s Award (Berytech) | Global Social Venture Competition (Berytech) | Startup Booster Track (Berytech) | Agrytech (Berytech) | MSFEA (AUB) | Darwazah Student Innovation Contest (AUB) | NVC (USEK) | SocialChallenge (USEK) | GEW | Young Entrepreneurs Competition (INJAZ Lebanon)
The aim of this page is to highlight the role of stakeholders (incubators, educational sector, programs, business development and mentorship…) in promoting and supporting startups and SMEs, thus bringing awareness about their successes and needs to ensure growth and sustainability.
Francophone Entrepreneurial Women’s Award (Berytech) |
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Francophone Entrepreneurial Women's Award (FFE) is a yearly competition organized by Berytech in partnership with the Agence universitaire francophone (AUF), L'Orient-Le Jour and le Commerce du Levant designated to French-speaking woman entrepreneurs with a business idea or a startup. The winning projects get business and incubation support in addition to grants. Contact |
Winners of the 2017 edition
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Labne&Facts (L & F) is a platform where Lebanese people who dream of both social and economic progress can learn, produce and publish information that represent them. Contact Needs |
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YallaBus is the 1st Bus Assistant platform in Lebanon, where and like many other countries, traffic, pollution and over usage of cars as the only reliable alternative to commute, are haunting society. Their mission is to enhance, reshape and facilitate the use of transportation facilities in a city or country. Contact Needs |
Global Social Venture Competition (Berytech) |
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The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) is a global competition that empowers the next generation of social entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into fundable, scalable ventures that address the world’s most pressing challenges. Berytech is the Regional Partner of GSVC in Beirut. Contact
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Winner of the 2017 edition
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Fabric AID is a platform gathers second-hand clothes, sorts them, grades them, cleans them and then distributes them to the 250 pre-exiting second-hand shops in Lebanon or to their very own pop-up shops in under-privileged neighborhoods. Contact Needs |
Startup Booster Track (Berytech) |
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Berytech is a partner of a European funded project called The Next Society, aiming at empowering innovators in the MENA region. In the context of this project, there is a special track designed for STARTUPS, the “Start-up Booster Track” which opens key opportunities to support international growth for startups and access to markets. 3 winning startups were selected from Lebanon and got access to the following opportunities:
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Winners (Video Summarizing the winning teams)
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Moodfit is a hassle-free online home furnishing and decoration service from carefully selected professional interior designers. Moodfit is the 1st interior design platform in the MENA region. Contact |
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Recyclo is the digital marketplace for scrap material trading offering a suite of services that helps scrap traders, garbage collectors, small and medium businesses (SMEs), factories, construction companies, universities, schools, local municipalities, NGOs working in the recycling industry, and small holder recyclers, trade scraps and recyclables at the local level and across borders and navigate price volatilities. Contact |
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209 is a marketplace platform offering the most exhaustive and diverse choice of Lebanese wines. It also offers an unmatched experience, advice, and service to help consumers select the right wine and get it at home hassle-free guaranteeing an unmatched wine experience. Contact |
Agrytech (Berytech) |
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The Agrytech Accelerator aims to advance innovative ideas in the Agri-Food sector into successful businesses with a global impact through startup funding, prototyping facilities, business coaching, customer access, industry connections and follow-up mentoring. Contact |
Program's final beneficiaries
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Startchy synthesizes starch-based bio-plastic coating for fruits and vegetables aiming to offer an organic alternative to wax and vacuumed plastic for preserving food to extend their shelf-life. Contact |
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Mekaprep Mekaprep is launching a new concept in the Lebanese/Arab fast food production where it offers freshly made fast food through vending machines. The startup will launch through “Bake&Go”, a vending machine that offers the Lebanese Manoushe in under two minutes. Contact |
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Smart Gourmet is a new cooking concept for ready-to-eat food with zero preservatives and long shelf-life using the sous-vide technique to cook traditional authentic food while attaining a standard recipe with great taste for every meal. ContactJad Atallah: jad@mobigates.com Charbel Kyrillos |
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EasyReady EasyReady Hummus aims to create a fresh hummus dispenser, based on natural ingredients free from any preservatives. Recipes will be customizable and the hummus can be served by restaurants, fast-food chains, and supermarkets, replacing labor and/or refrigeration needs. ContactFadi Fayad |
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Mother's cooking
Mothers Cooking is an online platform that connects hungry foodies with cooking mothers, allowing you to search your neighborhood for a delicious and healthy homemade cooked meal. ContactRudy Rizk |
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Makanat
Makanāt is an online platform that connects food lovers, food entrepreneurs, and food businesses to short-term facility and processing line rentals. ContactGabriel Bayram Zeina Haroun |
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209 Lebanese Wine
209 is an online marketplace platform offering the most exhaustive and diverse choice of Lebanese wines. It also offers an unmatched experience, advice, and service to help consumers select the right wine and get it at home hassle-free guaranteeing an unmatched wine experience. ContactSelim Yasmine |
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LifeLab
Lifelab provides the world’s smallest turnkey vertical hydroponic modules. These modules connect to each other and then ultimately to an industrial grade automation system that runs the entire grow process with very little human intervention. ContactAli Makhzoumi |
MSFEA Accelerator Program (AUB, April 2018 awards) |
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Internet of Building (IoB) Infrastructure-less energy monitoring and optimization of buildings. A smart Internet of Things electronics device that can replace the light switch in buildings to help them reduce their electric consumption (thus saving them money and contributing positively to the planet) by monitoring the energy consumption of various electric systems/devices, recommending ways to reduce it, and ultimately automatically optimizing the energy consumption for enterprises. Contact |
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A non-invasive, instantaneous, skin anomaly scanner aiming to change dermatology diagnostics. SkanMD uses the technology of electromagnetics to diagnose non-invasively by radio waves. As opposed to traditional diagnoses that begins with a biopsy and concludes with a result after ~ 1 or 2 weeks, skanMD provides instantaneous on-the-spot results. Contact |
Darwazah Student Innovation Contest (AUB) |
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The Darwazah Student Innovation Contest is organized and sponsored by Samih Darwazah Center for Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship of the Olayan School of Business. The competition is open to all AUB undergraduate and graduate students. Participants to the competition submit a proposal for an innovative product, service, or a business process. The purpose of this competition is to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation among AUB students. It also aims at encouraging collaboration between students from different disciplines, to share knowledge and come up with a well-rounded and complete business proposal for a new product or service. Contact |
Darwazah Student Innovation Contest 2018 Winners
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WOODY (1st place - $10,000) Woody is the future of safe, eco-friendly, and durable claddings. Fire resistant, aesthetic, and economic! Contact |
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WonderEd (1st place - $10,000) KG-level algorithmic gaming - WonderEd teaches children algorithmic statements and develops their cognitive skills through storytelling. Contact |
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DeLOC (2nd place - $5,000) Lab on chip for oncology research – DeLOC created a Biochip that enables the growth of the full ductal tissue (cells & matrix) inside of it, in a way that mimics structurally and functionally the real human tissue. Knowing that ductal tissues are common places for the initiation & growth of cancers, and its metastasis to other parts of the body. Thus, the chip that we built, is a precise model that could be used by pharmaceutical companies to test the effects of the drugs that they are producing on the cancer metastasis in ductal tissues, in lower costs and a shorter period of time. Contact |
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Mappin (1st runner up) Mappin is a platform that connects tourist with reliable locals who can provide unique and authentic experiences. Our platform will allow tourists to experiences such as beekeeping, olive picking, but also hiking new trails, discovering hidden gems and living memorable adventures. Through our platform, locals will act as experience providers, gain exposure by reaching a large audience and benefit from extra income. Contact |
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MIXREAPP (2nd runner up) A software for a hands-free plug-and-play solution using smart glasses which maximizes the efficiency of warehouse employees in large spaces by assisting them in navigation, package scanning and training. Contact |
USEK NVC |
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The USEK New Venture Challenge (USEK NVC) is the annual entrepreneurship competition organized at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik by The Asher Center. The teams receive the mentoring and the help needed in order to be able to pitch their ideas in front of investors and jury members. Contact |
NVC 2018
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Overlay(1st prize winner) Create phone covers. Contact Needs |
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Fusion (2nd prize winner) Collaborative music platform. Allows people in remote geographical locations on collaborating to create music. Contact Needs |
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Parasun (3rd prize winner) A new Lebanese bio-liquid product that coats fruits and perishable food to extend its shelf life. It's 100% natural, harmless, flavorless and is aiming to be international. Contact Needs |
NVC 2017
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FreeKey (1st prize winner) Serves revolutionary snacks rounding up the best healthy ingredients. Contact Needs |
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HelpMePlant (2nd prize winner) A gardening platform with 4 inputs (sun, water, altitude, type of plant) gives you the directory of suitable plants under these conditions, and links you to plant stores where you can buy them. Contact Needs |
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Startchy (3rd prize winner) A new Lebanese bio-liquid product that coats fruits and perishable food to extend its shelf life. It's 100% natural, harmless, flavorless and is aiming to be international. Contact Needs |
USEK Social Entrepreneurship Challenge |
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The Social Entrepreneurship Challenge is a competition that was held on January 19, 2018 at The Asher Center. The teams received the assistance and the mentoring needed from the mentors and had to pitch for their startup that is involved in solving a social problem. Contact |
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You2Better (1st prize winner) A platform that links patients with psychotherapists on an online platform. Contact Needs |
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The Adventurist (2nd prize winner) The adventurist puts a world of outdoor activities in the palm of your hand. Using prices, locations and reviews from people that experienced activities, you’ll be able to choose the right outdoor activity for you in a fast, easy and personalized way. Contact |
Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) |
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Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is a celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors, introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities. Millions who had never before considered launching their own ventures soak up advice and inspiration from the likes of Richard Branson, Michael Dell and Muhammad Yunus. How to get involved You can create any event, activity or workshop during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Every organizer or host may put their own spin to their event (see some examples of events). GEW in Lebanon To get involved with GEW in Lebanon, aim to organize events during the 3rd week of November. Get in touch with the GEW team for further details. NEW: Find events for the GEW week Lebanon starting on Monday 12 November 2018. |
Young Entrepreneurs Competition (INJAZ Lebanon) |
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Company Program provides high school and university students the opportunity to start-up, build and manage actual enterprising companies in their local communities. The program is an entrepreneurial process of creativity, innovation, team work, planning, discovery, all through Learning by Doing. The students learn about real life processes and functions, the challenges and benefits of entrepreneurship, and the contribution that entrepreneurs make to economies and societies in the MENA region. The program culminates in a national competition where the winners of both university and school teams participate in a regional competition organized yearly by INJAZ Al-Arab. Contact |
Winner of the 2018 edition (University Track)
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Dr. Leda Dr. Leda is an online platform that provides help to every individual struggling with their mental and emotional health through professional anonymous affordable psychological counseling. The company empowers it’s counselors to deliver the highest quality service to its users and to expand efficiently to the entire MENA region by 2022. Contact Needs |
Winner of the 2018 edition (School Track)
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Re-Patch Re-Patch is a social enterprise that employs marginalized women in producing bags, quilts, and hand-made crafts out of wasted fabrics. The company’s mission is to protect the environment by decreasing waste, encouraging people to use less nylon bags, and providing employment opportunities. We also plant trees to encourage sales. Contact Needs |
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