B&Y Venture Partners has officially launched the Lebanese Angel Investor Network (LAIN), a new platform designed to channel investment into startups founded by Lebanese entrepreneurs, both locally and in the diaspora. The initiative is supported by Lebanon’s Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence (MITAI) and aims to strengthen the country’s early-stage investment ecosystem.
Quick Facts
- What: New angel network for Lebanese founders.
- Who: Launched by B&Y Venture Partners.
- Status: Commitments exceeded initial targets at launch.
Government Backing for a “Digital Republic”
The launch event featured remarks from Lebanon’s Minister Kamal Shehadi, who detailed MITAI’s vision for transforming Lebanon into a “digital republic.” He stressed the importance of building a robust innovation and technology investment environment to drive economic growth, positioning the government’s support for LAIN as a key part of this strategy.
Connecting Diaspora Capital with Local Talent
LAIN is designed to create a structured platform that connects promising early-stage startups with angel investors, mentors, and strategic networks. The network specifically targets both local investors and the extensive Lebanese diaspora, aiming to leverage their capital and expertise to support the next generation of founders.
The network has already introduced its first investment opportunities through the Vessel platform, presenting a curated cohort of four Lebanese-founded startups. These companies were identified through LAIN’s ecosystem connections and its outreach within the global Lebanese community.
Strong Early Momentum
Reflecting significant interest from the investment community, LAIN announced that it secured commitments exceeding its initial target shortly after its launch. The network is now officially accepting further investor commitments through its online platform as it builds out its first investment pipeline.
About The Lebanese Angel Investor Network (LAIN)
The Lebanese Angel Investor Network (LAIN) is a curated investment network launched by B&Y Venture Partners. It focuses on supporting Lebanese and diaspora-founded startups by connecting them with angel investors, mentors, and strategic networks to accelerate early-stage funding and growth.
Source: Wamda
