The Asher Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACIE) at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) has officially concluded its IdeaLab program, marking the end of a three-year initiative dedicated to nurturing early-stage entrepreneurship in Lebanon. The fifth and final cycle culminated in a Demo Day at the university campus, celebrating the journey of the latest cohort of innovators.
The 10-week program, executed in collaboration with Berytech and co-funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lebanon, has been a cornerstone for aspiring entrepreneurs since its launch. It provided a structured pathway for founders to validate their ideas and develop innovative solutions, with a specific focus on the Agri-Food Tech and Clean Tech sectors.
A Three-Year Legacy of Early-Stage Support
Over the past three years, the IdeaLab program served as a critical platform for emerging talent, offering a space to test, pivot, and transform concepts into tangible solutions. The initiative successfully fostered collaboration between academia and Lebanon’s broader entrepreneurship ecosystem, supporting multiple cohorts of innovators.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the USEK President, Senior Advisor Professor Naim Ouaini highlighted the program’s alignment with the university’s core mission. “This event embodies the creativity and perseverance that Lebanon needs today,” he stated, emphasizing that innovation is a fundamental pillar of the university’s message. He noted that IdeaLab provided “a real space for young people to test their ideas and turn them into concrete solutions.”
Dr. Nancy Saliba, Director of ACIE, reflected on the program’s evolution. “IdeaLab has grown significantly since its inception, becoming a platform that empowers young innovators to refine their ideas, challenge assumptions, and embrace a culture of experimentation,” she said. “Each cohort has shown a high level of commitment, working closely with trainers and experts to develop innovative solutions. The experience was based on learning, experimenting, and growth.”
A Partnership-Driven Ecosystem Model
The program’s success was significantly bolstered by its strategic partnership with Berytech, a key player in Lebanon’s tech ecosystem.
Iyad Moawad, Director of Programs at Berytech, described IdeaLab as “more than just a program,” viewing it as a model for genuine partnership aimed at developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. “Berytech’s role is not limited to supporting individual startups, but includes strengthening the entrepreneurial environment as a whole,” he explained, pointing to the pivotal role ACIE plays within the university in guiding students and young entrepreneurs through crucial stages of innovation.
Final Cohort Showcases Sustainable Solutions
During the final Demo Day, ten emerging ventures presented their proof-of-concepts and prototypes developed throughout the program. The projects addressed significant challenges in sustainable agriculture, food systems, clean energy, environmental monitoring, and resource efficiency, reflecting the program’s focus on creating social and environmental impact.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participating teams, followed by an interactive networking session where the startups showcased their projects. The official closing of the fifth cohort marks the conclusion of the three-year IdeaLab initiative, which has made a valuable contribution to strengthening early-stage entrepreneurship in Lebanon.
About IdeaLab
IdeaLab was a three-year early-stage startup program initiated by the Asher Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACIE) at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK). Run in collaboration with Berytech and with co-funding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lebanon, the program was designed to help innovators validate their ideas and develop solutions in the Agri-Food Tech and Clean Tech sectors.
Source: Al Markazia
