The Adnan Kassar School of Business at the Lebanese American University (LAU), in collaboration with SYMZ CAPITAL, has launched the SYMZ CAPITAL Venture Lab Ignition Program. The initiative is designed to connect academic innovation with practical venture building, equipping students and participants to translate their ideas into investor-ready companies.
Quick Facts
- New venture program launched in Lebanon.
- Partnership between LAU and SYMZ CAPITAL.
- Focuses on turning student ideas into startups.
- Offers mentorship, training, and funding opportunities.
Bridging Academia and Venture Building
This collaboration positions LAU’s business school as a key player in regional entrepreneurship education. The program aims to create a direct channel for students to engage with the market, moving beyond theory to build tangible projects.
Dr. Dima Jamali, Dean of the Adnan Kassar School of Business, stated that the initiative reflects a commitment to linking education with real-world impact. “We are creating a space where students and graduates can go beyond theories to develop effective solutions that respond to real-world challenges, in addition to keeping pace with the major transformations in the world of industry and innovation environments,” she said.
From Theory to Execution
SYMZ CAPITAL, a venture builder with deep experience in launching, mentoring, and investing in startups, brings market-focused expertise to the partnership. The firm will provide participants with access to investor networks and practical guidance throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
“Entrepreneurship is not just about ideas, but about disciplined execution and long-term value creation,” explained Michel Bayoud, CEO of SYMZ CAPITAL. “Through our partnership with the Lebanese American University, we aim to support founders who are ready to build scalable projects.”
A Path to Funding
The program integrates modern technologies, including AI, to help participants enhance their ventures. It features a distinct competition, the “SYMZ Capital Venture Forge challenge,” where students will pitch their projects to a panel of experts, industry leaders, and investors.
Applications for the challenge are set to close on May 15, 2026. Winners and selected participants will then have the opportunity to join the SYMZ CAPITAL Venture Lab Ignition program, which begins on May 18, 2026. Standout teams will be eligible for funding opportunities, including grants for prototype development and initial seed investments to support their growth.
About the SYMZ CAPITAL Venture Lab Ignition Program
The SYMZ CAPITAL Venture Lab Ignition Program is an academic platform supported by LAU’s Adnan Kassar School of Business. It aims to redefine entrepreneurship education by providing students and graduates with the tools, mentorship, and funding pathways needed to test, launch, and scale their business ideas in Lebanon’s ecosystem.
Source: NNA
