Innovations in Lebanese agro-food industry

The Agrytech Accelerator in Lebanon has reportedly completed the first phase of its program with Demo Day held last Wednesday in Saint Joseph University’s (USJ) Abu Khater Amphitheatre. The event embraced 17 teams showcasing their innovative solutions in the agro-food industry in the presence of industry specialists, fund managers, business professionals, startups, entrepreneurs and the media. Owners of the 17 participating startups underwent a 2-month bootcamp during which they learned different business practices and communicated with sectoral experts. This allowed them to put into effect their acquired know-how to validate their business models and test the market and potential users, in addition to briefly introduce their viable products. Additionally, a USD 3300 worth of grant was dispensed to each team to cover the costs of the validation process. It should be noted, that owners of startups have presented their final demonstration earlier on July 10 before a jury of entrepreneurship, technology, investment and agri-food experts. Eleven teams have been shortlisted for the second phase of the program which will include a 4-month acceleration with USD 16 thousand in support grants. On the occasion, charge d’affaires of the Embassay of the Netherlands to Beirut, Han-Maurits Schaapveld, said that uniting great talents and efforts will help create ultramodern innovations and technologies to solve local and regional problems, like water scarcity and mismanagement. (An Nahar, July 15, 2017)

Previous related news:
Workshop on “Agrytech” in Saida
Center for Smart Innovations for Agri-food targeting emerging enterprises in Lebanon