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Innovating the Water–Energy–Agriculture Nexus in Lebanon

Maria Chahine — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:37:57 +0000

STARTUPS AT THE CORE OF SYSTEMIC IMPACT

UNDERSTANDING THE WATER–ENERGY–AGRICULTURE (WEA) NEXUS

Lebanon’s agricultural future depends on how effectively it manages three vital resources:water, energy, and land. The water–energy–agriculture (WEA) nexus provides an integrated lens to understand how these systems interact, and how innovations optimized practices in one can strengthen the others. Water and energy are the lifelines of food production. Every irrigation system, storage unit,and processing facility depends on them. Yet the relationship flows both ways: agricultural practices also shape how much energy and water are consumed or conserved. When one system becomes inefficient, the others inevitably suffer.
The nexus approach encourages collaboration across disciplines and sectors. It moves beyond fragmented fixes toward solutions that reflect how interconnected these challenges truly are. Through innovation, circularity, and technology, agricultural systems can conserve resources while increasing productivity.
Startups are becoming key actors in this transformation. Their agility allows them to design context-based solutions that respond directly to Lebanon’s sustainability needs, from renewable energy and smart water use to waste valorization and adaptive farming.
Together, these innovators form a growing ecosystem proving that sustainability can be both achievable and economically viable.

WHY THE NEXUS MATTERS FOR LEBANON

Lebanon’s economy and food system are highly vulnerable to external pressures. For decades, the country has relied heavily on imported fuel, fertilizers, and food, leaving it exposed to fluctuating global prices and regional instability. This dependence has weakened local production capacity and turned sustainability into a national concern.
At the same time, Lebanon faces mounting environmental stress. Water scarcity

and land degradation continue to worsen, driven by both climate change and outdated farming practices. Over-irrigation, soil exhaustion, and inefficient energy use have placed increasing strain on natural resources, threatening the livelihoods of small and medium farmers. Yet these same challenges are now giving rise to opportunity. The combined economic and energy crises have pushed the country toward decentralized, homegrown solutions. Across Lebanon, startups are experimenting with solar solutions, alternative fertilizers, and soilless
agriculture, building a new model of resilience that directly addresses local realities.

These emerging solutions share three defining qualities:

Together, they are laying the groundwork for a new era of food security and sustainability, one where growth is measured not only by scale but by resilience.

STARTUPS DRIVING IMPACT ACROSS THE NEXUS

Renewable Energy
Powering agriculture through clean, efficient, and decentralized systems.
Energy is the backbone of agricultural production; it fuels irrigation, processing, and storage. Renewable energy solutions reduce dependence on costly, polluting fuels and allowfarmers to access reliable, locally managed power. By integrating clean energy into the agricultural value chain, these startups help stabilize production costs and make farming
more sustainable.

Caesar’s Flame

Caesar’s Flame converts organic and agricultural waste into biomass briquettes and pellets, clean, long-burning fuel that replaces diesel and heavy oil.

By turning farm residues into energy, Caesar’s Flame closes the loop between production and power. It provides farmers and agri-processors with a renewable, locally sourced alternative that reduces fuel costs, lowers carbon emissions, and prevents waste from becoming an environmental burden.

Green Grid Trade

Green Grid Trade enables households, farms, and cooperatives to produce, consume, and trade solar power through a shared digital platform.

The model decentralizes energy generation, giving farmers access to collective solar infrastructure that stabilizes power supply and reduces dependency on national grids. This enhances the sustainability of energy-intensive operations such as irrigation, refrigeration, and food processing.

Nuwatt

Nuwatt designs smart solar systems and software that monitor energy generation and consumption in real time, integrating directly with irrigation and pumping networks.

Impact on the agricultural sector: By linking energy management to water systems, Nuwatt allows farmers to optimize both simultaneously, reducing waste, securing stable water access, and lowering operational costs.

Soilless Agriculture

Transforming how food is grown through water-efficient, space-saving, and circular systems.
As accessible land and water resources shrink, soilless farming is offering new possibilities for production. Through hydroponics, aeroponics, and biotechnology, these startups reduce resource use while expanding agriculture into urban and degraded areas.

Cultiva

Cultiva uses biotechnology to convert banana tree waste into organic fertilizers and soil substitutes that restore soil microbiology and fertility.
Cultiva simultaneously addresses soil exhaustion and waste accumulation. By turning crop residues into nutrient-rich organic matter, it gives farmers a local, affordable alternative to imported fertilizers, reinforcing soil health and closing material cycles.

Urban Leaf

Urban Leaf designs hydroponic systems that grow crops in nutrient-rich water instead of soil, cutting water consumption by more than 80%.
Its systems make farming possible in homes, schools, and small urban spaces, diversifying production sources, increasing water efficiency, and promoting awareness of sustainable food practices.

AgroConnect

AgroConnect integrates aeroponics, greenhouse engineering, and digital monitoring into modular systems suited for both home and commercial use.
The startup demonstrates how precision control and modular design can raise productivity while conserving water and land. It enables high-value cultivation even in non-arable zones, expanding the geography of Lebanese agriculture.

Agri-Input Producers

Providing farmers with the resources to cultivate resilient, high-yield crops.
Healthy inputs, seeds, soil, and nutrients form the base of every sustainable system. By developing bio-based fertilizers and preserving local seed varieties, these startups strengthen the foundations of production and help farmers adapt to climate and market pressures.

Grade A Plus
Grade A Plus produces natural fertilizer pellets from sheep wool, rich in nutrients and water-retentive properties. The product improves soil structure, enhances moisture retention, and supports stronger
root systems, reducing the need for irrigation and chemical fertilizers. This helps farmers maintain yields under dry conditions and contributes to long-term soil resilience.

Gharset Kheir
Gharset Kheir collects, enhances, and distributes native Lebanese seed varieties through a national seed bank. By reviving seeds adapted to local climates and pests, Gharset Kheir strengthens food
sovereignty and biodiversity. Farmers benefit from crops that require less water, resist disease naturally, and preserve Lebanon’s agricultural heritage.

INTERCONNECTED INNOVATION: THE TRIANGLE OF SYNERGY

The impact of these eight startups is deeply interconnected in potential. Individually, they tackle specific challenges within the Water–Energy–Agriculture nexus, yet their solutions naturally complement one another. If leveraged collectively, their combined impact could multiply across the agricultural system, turning stand-alone innovations into collective impact.

Some of the strongest examples of this complementarity come from within the same subsectors. Cultiva, for instance, turns banana waste into organic soil alternatives that restore fertility. But not all plants thrive in these soils, and that is where AgroConnect’s aeroponic systems can step in. Together, they make it possible to grow a wider range of crops with minimal water and land.

A similar link exists between Gharset Kheir and Grade A Plus. Gharset Kheir develops local, climate-adapted seeds that strengthen Lebanon’s biodiversity but can struggle with lower yields. Grade A Plus, producing fertilizers from sheep wool, has worked with them to enhance soil quality and boost growth. The collaboration connects resilient genetics with natural soil enrichment, pairing biodiversity with productivity.

Each startup solves part of the challenge, energy, water, soil, or seed, but together, they show how local innovation can address agriculture as a whole. Renewable energy powers production; sustainable agriculture conserves resources; and eco-friendly inputs close the loop.

This triangle of synergy creates a continuous cycle where energy fuels agriculture, agriculture feeds input production, and sustainable inputs make energy and water use more efficient. It’s a model that shows how Lebanon can move from scattered efforts to a truly circular, collaborative agricultural economy.

SCALING THE SUPPORT SYSTEM

The insights drawn from these startups point to a clear direction for Lebanon’s innovation landscape: it’s not only about creating new solutions, but about connecting the ones that already exist. Innovation and interconnection must advance hand in hand.
Encouraging the creation of new ideas remains vital, Lebanon still needs technologies that respond to its specific resource, climate, and market realities. But equal value lies in fostering innovations that bridge sectors and subsectors, where energy meets agriculture,
waste meets production, and technology meets sustainability. These are the points where small breakthroughs can turn into systemic change.
To nurture that kind of growth:

Accelerators and incubators can pair startups from different sectors within joint

programs, prompting collaboration between complementary technologies.

– Investors and donors can prioritize cross-sector solutions, ones that generate value simultaneously for multiple industries or communities.

– Research and academic institutions can drive applied innovation that connects disciplines and translates scientific knowledge into integrated solutions.

– Public partners can strengthen enabling frameworks, from circular economy incentives to green procurement, that make collaboration economically viable.

Over the years, Lebanon has often turned to creativity and resourcefulness to navigate difficult times, turning scarcity into ingenuity and crisis into opportunity. By pairing that same mindset with nexus thinking and interconnectivity, the country can move from individual breakthroughs to collective progress, unlocking an even broader and more lasting impact.

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Bridging the Gap: From Research to Market in Agri-Food Innovation

Berytech Team — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:50:29 +0000

Turning ideas into tangible products is never simple, but Lebanon’s agri-food sector is showing that it’s possible with the right mix of collaboration, expertise, and support.

As part of the Seeds of Innovation II initiative, organized by the Agrifood Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) under the EU-funded Lebanon Innovate Program, and in collaboration with EBRD, a high-level panel titled ““Bridging Academia, Industry, and Policy in Agri-Food Innovation” was organized. The event brought together key players from government, academia, Business Support, and industry to explore how Lebanon can strengthen its agri-food R&D ecosystem and transform research into market-ready solutions.

Bridging Academia, Industry, and Policy: Advancing Agri-Food Innovation in Lebanon

Lebanon Innovate, under the Seeds of Innovation II initiative organized by the Agrifood Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) as part of the EU-funded Lebanon Innovate Program, recently hosted a high-level panel on “Bridging Academia, Industry, and Policy in Agri-Food Innovation”. This panel brought together governments, academics, financiers and industry leaders to explore how Lebanon can strengthen its Agri-food R&D ecosystem and and turn research into market-ready solutions.

The panel featured Mr.s Carla Wehbe – Head of Intellectual Property at the Ministry of Economy & Trade, Mr. Jad Zgheib – Principal Manager at EBRD, Dr. Sandy Rihana – Director of the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at USEK, and Mrs. Nathalie Kazan – General Manager at Delta Group.

A central theme of the conversation was the importance of intellectual property as a foundation for innovation. Carla Wehbe emphasized that protection must begin at the earliest stages of research, stressing that awareness and guidance are essential for both academia and the private sector. The ministry has launched training programs for schools and universities and is supporting the development of IP-focused educational programs, while also leveraging international frameworks to safeguard Lebanese innovations. For Mrs. Wehbe, embedding IP protection into the innovation process ensures that ideas have the time and space to develop into viable products.

From the academic perspective, Dr. Sandy Rihana explained how USEK’s TTO bridges research and market application by supporting inventors throughout the innovation journey. The office offers market studies, technical assessments and legal guidance. By connecting researchers with BSOs, industry partners and advisors, the TTO ensures innovations respond to real market needs. Dr. Rihana highlighted key areas in agrifood innovation, such as automation, smart farming and waste valorization, demonstrating how research can adapt to create solutions that are both technically and commercially viable.

Representing the financial and developmental perspective, Jad Zgheib shared the role of structured support programs in fostering collaboration between universities and companies. By offering financial and technical guidance, these programs help innovators move from research to practical application. Mr. Zgheib noted that while companies may approach innovation cautiously, the agri-food sector is showing a strong willingness to experiment, especially when supported by expertise and resources that link research to market needs.

Bringing the industry perspective, Mrs. Nathalie Kazan outlined Delta Group’s journey in transforming research into market-ready products. With targeted support from EBRD, the company collaborated with researchers to develop a range of Mediterranean food mixes under the “Makadear” sub-brand. Combining R&D, branding, packaging, marketing, Delta Group demonstrated how practical collaboration across disciplines can turn ideas into products that meet consumer needs. Mrs. Kazan emphasized that successful innovation requires both academic insight and practical expertise, highlighting the value of multi-disciplinary teamwork and access to market-oriented resources.

Panelists concluded by identifying priorities to accelerate agri-food innovation in Lebanon:

Establishing shared platforms for collaboration

Strengthening IP protection and literacy

Creating dedicated support mechanisms for SMEs

Promoting mentorship opportunities from larger companies to smaller innovators.

The discussion highlighted that Lebanon’s agri-food innovation potential lies in integrating research, industry, and policy into a cohesive ecosystem. By institutionalizing TTOs, promoting IP awareness, and providing the necessary technical and financial support, Lebanon can transform fragmented initiatives into a connected, resilient, and sustainable ecosystem.

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Cluster Corner at PowerX Summit 2025 Drives Euro-Med Collaboration Through Innovation and Matchmaking

Yvona Nehme — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 09:45:11 +0000

Berytech proudly concluded the first edition of Cluster Corner, held on May 13 and 14, 2025, as a flagship activity within the PowerX Summit—Lebanon’s premier regional event for innovation and entrepreneurship. Over two days, the event successfully convened 16 clusters from 6 countries across the Euro-Mediterranean region, generating over 50 high-level matchmaking meetings and laying the groundwork for future joint ventures, cross-border initiatives, and strategic partnerships.

Cluster Corner was created as a dedicated space for clusters to engage in curated networking, explore cooperation opportunities, and align with broader regional innovation goals. Participants included cluster managers and representatives from key sectors such as agri-food, healthtech, ICT, green energy, and creative industries. Despite challenges posed by geopolitical constraints, Berytech ensured strong participation by securing regional representation and adapting logistics to maintain the impact and integrity of the event.

The activity was organized under the Euromed Clusters Forward program, funded by the European Union, and featured:

Structured matchmaking sessions powered by the B2Match platform, enabling participants to schedule and manage strategic meetings.
Panel discussions and expert presentations focused on cluster development, innovation policy, green transition, and economic alignment.
A high-impact networking dinner that brought together over 150 guests, including stakeholders from across the entrepreneurial and development ecosystem.
Access to the PowerX exhibition, offering clusters direct interaction with innovative startups, SMEs, and support programs active in Lebanon and beyond.

Post-event feedback strongly affirmed the value of the activity:

100% of respondents confirmed having made new professional connections,
88% identified peers for knowledge exchange,
71% reported securing international collaboration opportunities, and

Berytech’s seamless organization, hands-on support, and the relevance of content and contacts were widely praised. Participants especially valued the diversity of attendees, the strategic nature of discussions, and the opportunity to explore Lebanon’s growing innovation landscape firsthand.

“Cluster Corner created a powerful entry point for regional cooperation. It showed that despite external challenges, cross-border collaboration is not only possible—it’s necessary for sustainable development in the Mediterranean,” said the Berytech team.

The success of Cluster Corner sets a strong precedent for future editions. Plans are already underway to expand the initiative in 2026, with broader participation, deeper industrial engagement, and continued alignment with the goals of the Euromed Clusters Forward program, funded by the European Union.

For press inquiries or more information:
jessica.hajjar@berytech.org | rayan.chaaban@berytech.org
Euromed Clusters Forward | Berytech

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Agriculture in Crisis: The Post-Conflict Impact of Explosives and Heavy Metals on Lebanon’s Crops

Berytech Foundation — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 12:56:30 +0000

On February 18, 2025, Berytech hosted a crucial discussion on the impact of explosives and heavy metals on Lebanon’s crops. Titled “Agriculture in Crisis: The Post-Conflict Impact of Explosives and Heavy Metals on Lebanon’s Crops”, the webinar brought together experts in agricultural sciences and food safety to unpack the growing risks facing the country’s food supply.

The session was organized by the Agrifood Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) under the EU-funded Lebanon Innovate project. Berytech coordinated the event alongside key program partners ANIMA, EBN, IRI, IRA, and Leitat, with Berytech’s COO, Ramy Boujaoudeh, moderating the conversation.

With Lebanon’s farmlands bearing the scars of recent conflicts, the discussion shed light on contamination concerns, their impact on crop quality, and the urgent need for mitigation strategies.

The Background of the Crisis

Lebanon’s agricultural sector, particularly in the south, has been severely impacted by conflict, with explosives and heavy metals posing a serious risk of soil contamination. The webinar highlighted both the immediate and long-term consequences of this contamination, not just for farmers, but also for public health and food safety. Experts in agriculture, food safety, and environmental science came together to discuss how conflict has altered soil conditions, the risks posed by various contaminants, and potential strategies for remediation and recovery.

Key Discussion Points and Expert Insights

Dr. Roula Amil, Head of the Plant Breeding Department at LARI and a lecturer at USJ, opened the discussion with an overview of the situation in southern Lebanon. She emphasized that farmers are facing two major challenges: physical displacement and uncertainty about the future health of their land. Dr. Amil noted that contamination, particularly from heavy metals, could pose a serious threat to the long-term viability of olive cultivation, one of the region’s key agricultural products.

Dr. Rose Bechara Perini, Founder of Darmmess High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, shared her firsthand experience of how the conflict has impacted agriculture. “On October 8, 2023, we were in the middle of our olive harvest when war broke out. On top of that, nature had already dealt us a tough year,” she explained. The region’s olive trees, already struggling with environmental challenges, experienced drastically reduced yields, and contamination concerns have further complicated recovery efforts. She expressed deep concern:

“Our primary concerns among us and them is the potential contamination of the land…It’s an existential one because any lasting impact on our health, on our land health will not only affect the season, but the long-term sustainability of our olive cultivation in the region.”

Dr. Mohammad Abyad, a professor at AUB and Director of the Lab for Environment, Agriculture, and Food (LEAF), reinforced these concerns. While he noted that the presence of white phosphorus in the soil was not a significant issue, heavy metals and explosive residues remain major threats.

“The biggest concern in that area is the contamination with heavy metals and explosives,” Dr. Abyad explained. Barium, arsenic, lead, cadmium, as well as explosive residues like TNT and RDX have been found in soils, including in areas still affected by previous conflicts, such as the 2006 war. He further warned that leafy vegetables, due to their shallow roots and rapid growth cycles, are particularly vulnerable to absorbing these contaminants, posing a serious food safety risk.

Impact on Soil and Crop Productivity

Dr. Salem Hayar, Founder and Head of the Laboratory for Pesticide Residue Analysis, emphasized the complexity of assessing contamination levels in soil. “We have to analyze the situation first,” he stated, explaining that factors such as soil texture, pH levels, and organic matter content play a crucial role in determining how contaminants interact with plants.

Understanding these variables is essential for identifying which crops are most at risk and for developing effective remediation strategies. While leafy vegetables are highly vulnerable, legumes and root vegetables can also be affected, depending on the depth and concentration of contamination.

The discussion also addressed how heavy metals impact soil health and crop productivity. Dr. Hayar pointed out that key ecosystem parameters, such as microbial activity and organic matter content, influence how contaminants are stored or stabilized in the soil. He suggested that crop rotation, when combined with thorough soil analysis and continuous monitoring, could be a viable strategy for mitigating contamination risks.

The Role of Testing and Research in Mitigating Risks

When it comes to practical solutions, Dr. Abyad emphasized the critical role of testing in detecting and analyzing contaminants in soil and water. “For heavy metals, we use ICP inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,” he explained, highlighting that this method can detect even trace amounts of contaminants. He also shared that his lab has collaborated with the Lebanese Army and the Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to develop reliable testing methods for explosives. This collaboration is crucial for identifying residues of TNT and RDX in soil, especially in conflict-affected areas.

The discussion underscored the essential role of research in mitigating contamination risks. Dr. Abyad stressed that research institutions play a key role in raising public awareness and refining testing methodologies. Long-term monitoring and capacity building are critical, ensuring that farmers have access to the knowledge and tools needed for recovery. “We will continue working on long-term studies and creating collaboration networks with all stakeholders to address this challenge,” he noted.

A Call for Collaboration and Support

A key theme of the webinar was the need for cross-sector collaboration between researchers, producers, and government agencies. Dr. Bechara Perini emphasized the importance of supporting farmers through guidance, resources, and recovery programs to help them regain stability.

Dr. Abyad also called for greater support from international organizations, NGOs, and policymakers to help stabilize Lebanon’s agricultural sector. He stressed the need for comprehensive funding for research and recovery initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability.

In addition, Dr. Bechara Perini highlighted the urgency of stricter food safety regulations, particularly for exports from conflict-affected regions. “We should work together to educate consumers, raise awareness through marketing certifications, and partner with global organizations to attract support,” she urged.

Moving Forward

The webinar provided valuable insights into the challenges facing Lebanon’s agricultural sector in the aftermath of conflict. Expert discussions made it clear that addressing long-term contamination risks in soil and crops requires a coordinated effort between farmers, researchers, and policymakers.

By combining advanced testing, targeted research, and sustainable land management strategies, Lebanon can work toward a more resilient agricultural future, mitigating the lasting impacts of conflict on its crops and food security.

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Berytech Launches Batch 7 of the Agrytech Accelerator Program

Noor Maroun — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 12:44:00 +0000

Berytech has officially launched the seventh batch of the Agrytech Accelerator Program, welcoming 11 innovative startups developing solutions across the agrifood value chain. Out of more than 49 eligible applicants, these 11 teams were selected to join the Acceleration Phase, based on the scalability of their business models, the strength of their technology integration, and the potential impact of their solutions.

What’s New in Batch 7

Building on lessons from past cohorts, the updated program is once again targeting startups at the prototype and MVP stage, providing them with the support to validate, refine, and scale their solutions. The program follows a two-phase structure: a six-month Acceleration Phase, followed by a four-month Incubation Phase.

Selection was carried out through a rigorous multi-step process, including application reviews, a pitching day in front of a panel of experts, and final evaluations to identify the most promising solutions in agrifood innovation.

“We’re happy to welcome the 7th Batch of Agrytech startups and see these teams take their ideas to the next level. Our goal is to support them as they refine their solutions and grow, and we are excited to see their progress along the way”. – Ghiwa Daccache, Programs Coordinator

Startups of Batch 7

This year’s cohort is innovating in aquaculture, healthy snacks, biofertilizers, eco-friendly animal feed, insect–based protein, AI-powered advisory tools, and more:

Aquavita – Innovative aquaculture farming system for the production of Red Tilapia fish by recycling rainwater and microbial waste-to-protein conversion, doubling yields of traditional systems while conserving water.
2XPND – Reinventing snacks using an innovative extraction process and a single-ingredient. They produce a protein-rich expanded cheese snack without any additives.
Peatler (Cultiva) – Transforming banana plant residues into a banana peat, which is a biofertilizer enhanced with nanotechnology that boosts yield and minimizes the use of chemical fertilizers. .
DeCasa – Repurposing whey from artisanal cheese production into high-quality protein powders, as an import substitute product.
Honeylicious Treats – Creating 100% pure honey powder through freeze-drying technology, offering a natural low-glycemic sugar alternative.
AgriSmart – AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot acting as a virtual agricultural consultant with subscription-based services.
Farming Bee – Breeding resilient queen bees via artificial insemination and natural mating to strengthen honey production.
Elma’s – Producing Black Soldier Fly Larvae feed as a soy alternative while turning organic waste into compost.
Wiggles – Converting food waste into insect-based protein powder through mealworm cultivation, while extracting valuable by-products such as oils, and chitin, tackling global protein shortages sustainably.
Recranation – Designing modular, push pipe clips for efficient irrigation piping systems for green houses reducing waste and allowing improved crop growth.

Kicking Off with Capacity Building

The Acceleration Phase opened with an intensive Design Thinking Bootcamp, followed by a Validation workshop. These workshops challenged the startups to refine their customer targeting, optimize their MVPs, and validate their solutions with experts.

What’s Ahead for Batch 7

Over the next six months, the startups will benefit from tailored capacity building, sector linkages, and a cash grant of up to $12,000 cash grant to further develop their prototypes. They will also gain access to pitching opportunities, networking events, and investor connections.

About Agrytech

Launched by Berytech and funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lebanon, the Agrytech Accelerator Program was designed to position Lebanon as a hub for agrifood innovation. With resources, expertise, and funding valued at around $100,000 per startup, Agrytech empowers entrepreneurs to build competitive agrifood businesses capable of scaling internationally.

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Femme Francophone Entrepreneure 2023 Celebrates Women’s Innovation in Lebanon

Nagham Barakat — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 08:25:26 +0000

In the face of the critical economic challenges that Lebanon and the region are currently facing, the spirit of women who dare to take risks, mark their paths, and embark on entrepreneurial journeys with determination is more inspiring than ever. These women are not just a ray of hope , but they express the essence of initiative and dynamism. After 11 years dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurship, AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie) and its partners have launched the 12^th edition of the Femme Francophone Entrepreneure competition, recognizing and rewarding startups from Lebanon, the Middle East, and Africa.

Femme Francophone Entrepreneure Winners

The results were announced on September 28th, during a final event hosted at the AUF Francophone Employability Center . The competition was intense, with 33 initial applications narrowed down to 10 in the capacity building phase, and 7 in the semi-finals. Ultimately, only three exceptional ventures stood out, earning well-deserved recognition.

1. Metle Metlik: Empowering Women’s Health Education

At the forefront, the groundbreaking educational digital platform, “Metle Metlik,” captured the attention of the jury. Developed by two visionary female doctors, obstetrician-gynecologist Gaëlle Bou Ghannam and sexologist hypnotherapist Sandrine Atallah, Metle Metlik is not just an innovation; it’s a catalyst for change. This platform, dedicated to women’s reproductive and sexual health, emerged as the grand winner of the 2023 Francophone Women Entrepreneurs Prize. The competition, jointly organized by the Middle East branch of AUF and Berytech, in partnership with L’Orient-Le Jour, reaffirms its commitment to empowering female entrepreneurship in Lebanon. Metle Metlik’s mission is to provide comprehensive educational support on reproduction and sexuality to Arab women throughout their lives via pre-recorded online courses, webinars, and interactive chats. Its initial focus markets include Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

2. Gaïo Cosmetics: Crafting Beauty with a Purpose

The second prize was awarded to Gaïo Cosmetics, a venture born in 2020 from the resilience and determination of pharmacist, Gaëlle el-Chaer. Handmade with love and expertise, Gaïo Cosmetics offers a curated range of personalized cosmetic products tailored for every skin type. It’s more than a cosmetics brand; it’s a commitment to natural, minimalist, environmentally friendly, cruelty-free, and budget-conscious beauty. Following her injury in the devastating explosion at the Port of Beirut on August 4th, she transformed adversity into inspiration, and Gaïo Cosmetics is her way of regaining the zest for life and sharing it with the world.

3. Vietrail: A Stained Glass of Artistic Innovation

In third place, we have Vietrail, a venture led by the talented creator Christelle Gemayel. Vietrail offers a captivating reimagination of stained glass, creating personalized souvenirs and art objects that resonate with a deep commitment to innovation and Lebanese cultural heritage. Each piece is a reflection of Christelle’s passion for art and her dedication to preserving and promoting Lebanon’s rich artistic legacy. Vietrail is not just a business; it’s a space where cultures converge, and creativity thrives.

4. Alex-stars: A translation service startup headquartered in Alexandria – Refaat El Hattab.

Established in Alexandria, Alex-stars launched its operations in 2018 initially focusing on organizing social events within French-speaking and family circles through Facebook and word-of-mouth. With a passion for growth and a desire to enhance their translation skills, the team at Alex-stars is now keen on expanding its interpretation services into the Cairo market.

Promising Solutions: The Impactful finalists of the FFE Competition

Jennifer Aouad – Ata3allam

Jennifer Aouad’s Ata3allam is a revolutionary platform that teaches the Arabic curriculum to children aged 4 to 8. Using interactive technology and playful methods, Ata3allam offers over 400 exercises, 30 educational and entertaining videos, and songs to facilitate the learning of the Arabic language for young children. Launched in 2022, Ata3allam is already making waves worldwide and is set to soon be available in schools that embrace technology in education.

Marie Nawal and Rawane Gemayel – Rowine

Marie Nawal and her daughter Rawane Gemayel’s Rowine are on a mission to revive peach farming in the Bickfaya region. Recognizing the challenges faced by farmers, Rowine transforms peaches into a liqueur, a product that can be enjoyed year-round, encouraging farmers to replant peach trees. This natural peach liqueur is crafted using traditional methods, preserving the essence of this delightful fruit.

Alaa Ghandour – Ta Mabsouta

Alaa Ghandour’s Ta Mabsouta specializes in creating educational and therapeutic materials tailored for teachers and speech therapists in the Arabic language. The primary goal is to fill the gap in educational and therapeutic resources in Arabic, promoting evidence-based practices. Ta Mabsouta bridges the gap between practical applications and research in the field of language and learning. The aim is to implement innovative and responsible solutions to enhance Arabic language teaching and support the linguistic development of both children and adults.

These women entrepreneurs serve as an inspiration and showcase the resilience, creativity, and determination of women entrepreneurs in the region. The Femme Francophone Entrepreneure competition, now in its 12th edition, continues to celebrate and support female entrepreneurship to reach new heights of success.

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Berytech launches the STAND Up! Textile Eco-Innovation Challenge

Yara Karkafi — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 13:12:33 +0000

Berytech launched the Textile Eco-Innovation Challenge, part of STAND Up!, a European Union funded project under the ENICBCMed, that aims to empower the fashion, clothing, and textile industries in Lebanon.

The Textile Eco-Innovation Challenge will offer early and growth stage ventures and independent entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop sustainable innovations for real-life challenges faced by companies in this field.

The Textile Challenge

Innovative ventures in the textile and fashion industries are called to offer their solutions to the challenges shared by La Brocante, Skaff, and Ahla Fawda. The most innovative and realistic two will be selected to develop sustainable solutions addressing the needs of the companies, benefitting from a voucher of €20,000 for development and implementation.

The challenges will offer the possibility to fund the expertise, technology and services needed to action the solutions that the entrepreneurs have fostered and facilitate and support the matchmaking and agreements between entrepreneurs and SMEs by means of the Eco-innovation Platform to develop business partnerships.

Meet the Challengers

La Brocante – Production of Sustainable Fabrics for Furniture Upholstery

La Brocante, an initiative created by Arcenciel (AEC) – a Lebanese-based non-profit NGO, whose mission is to promote diversity, integration, and development through 5 core programs: Agriculture & Environment, Mobility & Health, Responsible Tourism, Youth Empowerment, and Social Support. La Brocante’s main challenge is the increase of non-recyclable fabrics in its workshop. Therefore, they are seeking a solution that concentrates on developing new sustainable fabrics and materials that will be utilized in repurposing donated furniture.

“We faced a shortage in the fabrics that we use to upcycle furniture sorted by La Brocante, which in turn is given a new home to people in need or sold for a lower cost. We are looking for a sustainable innovative solution that would assist us with our textile sustainability challenge,” says Jihad Jilwan, La Brocante Project Manager.

About the STAND Up! Project

The STAND Up! project aims to enhance scalable, replicable, and inclusive circular economy ventures in the Mediterranean by developing an ecosystem of business support, innovation, and technology transfer that will lead to sustainable job creation for youth and women. Learn more about the STAND Up! project.

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The WEEL Project Supports Diet Delights to Expand into Healthy Food Production

Nagham Barakat — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:11:59 +0000

Diet Delights (Food Delights) was established in Lebanon in 2004 with a joint effort of a group of highly qualified licensed dietitians to fill a gap and to address a growing need in the Lebanese and regional market for a nutrition center that offers professional educated counseling, aiming at managing weight & health and changing eating behavior in individuals.

Their main mission is to raise awareness about the importance of shifting the mindset for diet success through the promotion of positive mental well-being and fostering a positive relationship between the body and mind, along with promoting healthy food choices.

We talked to Diet Delights Team about the impact of the support received through their participation in the WEEL project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France.

Growth and Impact

“Applying to the project was an opportunity to respond to the high demand for healthy snacks locally and in the region, allowing clients to have healthy yet tasty options sparing them the feeling of deprivation and guilt. We received support to create that snack line through the installation of an automated horizontal food packaging flow-pack machine at our central kitchen, along with receiving technical support to extend the product’s shelf life.

The support received through WEEL will contribute to our company’s growth through sustaining our existing jobs and creating more, ensuring financial stability to our team by injecting the hard currency generated through export ,and promoting healthy habits in our community

Our main business challenge resides in the lack of adequate food packaging for mass sales, low production quantities with a short shelf life, along with the absence of an online e-commerce platform to increase our market share locally and internationally.

Through WEEL, we are able to reach our main goal which is to increase our products readiness through shelf-life extension, R&D, and the use of an automated packaging machine that will help us enhance existing product quality, develop a new line of healthy snacks and be able to export to MENA region and international markets.”

About WEEL

WEEL is part of a larger programme, the EU for Women Empowerment (EU4WE), a 42-month programme (October 2019 – March 2023) funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France. It aims at promoting full and unconditional equality between men and women in Lebanon. The specific purpose of EU4WE is to reduce gender-based violence through women’s empowerment and enhance existing institutional mechanisms working towards gender equality.

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Geek Express: Supported by the WEEL Project to Expand in the GCC

Nagham Barakat — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:11:42 +0000

Geek Express started as an art gallery in 2016 and transformed into an Ed-tech platform in 2017 that now offers more than 50 courses in coding and tech literacy. It became an academy with summer camps, yearly programs, franchising locally and regionally, creating our DIY kits, collaborating with schools, universities, and running competitions. In 2019, Geek Express went online, and with that growth, it now has the capabilities to serve parents and children across the region.

Today, it is the first online tech school with an accredited k-12 curriculum, a frictionless journey for parents, and an engaging experience for the children. It has a team of 22, with 170 dedicated Geek Express trainers, serving 1800 students.

We talked to Geek Express Team about the impact of the support received through their participation in the WEEL project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France.

Growth and Impact

“We were planning on expanding into Saudi, and we needed to achieve a large market penetration to localize the brand to appeal to the Saudi audience with a well-known marketing agency who could help us: hyper-localize our landing pages and communication funnels, launch a market penetration campaign including concept, production, and distribution across digital media and influencers and handle the recurrent digital media presence after phase 2 is done. The WEEL project, funded by the European Union assisted us in subsidizing a large part of this campaign.

Through the support of the WEEL project we aim to launch a large-scale market penetration campaign in Riyadh. The campaign will lead to a solid user-base in the largest ed-tech market in MENA, Saudi Arabia, increasing our MRR, and preparing us for the Series A. It will also lead to an increase of 20-30% of hired undergraduate and graduate Lebanese trainers who teach our courses to accommodate for the increase in demand. We will also have an opening of 2 full time job opportunities in the field of training and sales in Lebanon, to cater or the newly landed market.

Geek Express aspires to expand geographically within the Middle East and North Africa, starting with the GCC and Egypt. The business has started making progress on these plans by setting up operations in the UAE, where we currently have a legal entity. The Geek Express team is continuously working on tech stack development, supporting teachers, collaborating with renowned governmental and private entities, and content development. The business is also striving to be more data-driven and has been investing heavily in gathering insight from marketing analytics and assessing various metrics to inform its future direct-to-client strategy.

Our ability to scale is directly intertwined with access to resources, be it financial support such as grants and fundraising opportunities, or other types of interventions including technical support and human capital development.”

About WEEL

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Ground Vertical Farming: Supported by the WEEL Project to bring technology to farming

Nagham Barakat — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:11:17 +0000

Ground Vertical Farming (GVF) brings a simple but affordable system, especially designed to offer the benefits of vertical farming to deprived agricultural areas. The startup uses existing and proven technologies, but in a novel way. Its patent-pending planting meshes consist of hydrophilic mediums containing pockets capable of handling a wide range of plants. In a greenhouse, the meshes are stretched over inclined frames. The vertical inclination of the frames, their orientation, spacings and sizes are optimized to maximize available sunlight, minimize electricity consumption, and be easily handled by standing workers.

We talked to the GVF Team about the impact of the support received through their participation in the WEEL project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France.

Growth and Impact

“We applied to the WEEL Project because we knew that this project would allow us to develop our product and help us push forward. The grant that we received is helping us expand and accelerate our manufacturing process and eventually, this can improve our chances of success. The Project was a tremendous catalyst for Ground’s growth.

GVF is a Lebanese-made solution with huge economic and social impact run by a dedicated team. We take minimal technical risks to ensure our growth and are fully aware that our solution has a large demand base in Lebanon and is the technology of the future.

Lebanon is shifting to a local production-based economy, in addition to having more export opportunities with the devaluation of the Lebanese pound. We are expecting to have donors and NGOs support the agricultural sector. Moreover, we are protecting our solution by filling a patent, as well as decreasing our cost by extending our reach to mass production.

Since June 22, our research and development phase started to reach optimization of our product. Thanks to the WEEL grant, our focus will be on decreasing our production costs to reach a larger client audience. To further improve our study and to attract more projects, we started by collecting data to shed light on the metrics and positive benefits. Our plan extends further than the Lebanese sector and thanks to WEEL’S grant we will soon be filing an international patent to strengthen our solution from being copied. The WEEL project is helping us strengthen our company’s governance and team to accelerate its transformation to expand our reach to the MENA, vulnerable regions, and beyond.”

About WEEL

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