Berytech inaugurates training room with Minister Hamadeh (continued on p.02)

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November 08 Issue no. 02 P.01 Berytech inaugurates training room with Minister Hamadeh P.01 Berytech signs MOU with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation P.

05 Interview with Entrepreneur Cyril Joudieh P.06 From Idea to Startup - Best project selected P.06 Berytech partakes in Consortium in Jordan and delivers training P.

1 November 08 Issue no. 02 P.01 Berytech inaugurates training room with Minister Hamadeh P.01 Berytech signs MOU with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation P.02 Berytech Fund targeting the ICT sector officially launched P.03 Summer School for Entrepreneurs concluded P.04 Alf Mile wins the ESCWA- Berytech DAC competition P.05 Interview with Entrepreneur Cyril Joudieh P.06 From Idea to Startup - Best project selected P.06 Berytech partakes in Consortium in Jordan and delivers training P.07 Interview with BLB Concept team Berytech inaugurates training room with Minister Hamadeh (continued on p.02) The original date was set for April 27, Due to the prevailing situation, H.E. Minister Marwan Hamadeh was unable to make it for the inauguration of Berytech MAP (Micro-enterprise Accelation Program) Training Center which was set to take place under his auspices. Some one and a half year later, Mr. Hamadeh finally indulged in the ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of Berytech s President Mr. Maroun Chammas and the Rector of Saint- Joseph University (USJ), Reverend Father René Chamussy as well as a crowd of entrepreneurs, friends and members of the press. This training center is a strategic tool within Berytech s mission and scope of work. We are happy to report that since April 2007, and through this very room, hundreds of individuals were trained and dozens of entrepreneurs, pursuing entrepreneurship excellence, graduated declared Mr. Chammas in a small informal speech. Berytech signs MOU with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (continued on p.03) Berytech joins hands with UAE-based Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation to Promote Entrepreneurship, an agreement that will Foster Entrepreneurial Activities in Lebanon and Region. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai-based Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation was signed by Maroun N. Chammas, President of Berytech, and Sultan Lootah, Vice President - Entrepreneurship and Employment, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. The signing ceremony, held at Berytech Mar Roukoz, was attended by senior officials of both organisations and members of the press. The not-for-profit Emirati Foundation seeks to develop the knowledge capabilities of the Arab world through a series of strategic programmes in three main sectors of knowledge and education; culture; and entrepreneurship and employment. The Foundation leverages knowledge as a key platform for launching effective solutions to address key challenges facing the Arab world such as unemployment and brain drain. Berytech Technological Pole Mar Roukoz, Mkalles - Lebanon Tel. +(961) Fax +(961) Berytech Technology & Health bth.berytech.org Damascus Road, Beirut - Lebanon Tel. +(961) Fax +(961) Berytech Fund Mar Roukoz, Mkalles - Lebanon Tel. +(961) Fax +(961)

inception actively promoted, created and developed more than 70 startups and assisted in creating over 250 jobs.

This led Berytech to expand from one center to two while receiving recognition from the European Union.

These have been challenging years, and there will be more difficulties ahead. But I am very optimistic about the future of this institution as well as this country, said Mr. Chammas.

2 Continued from p.01 Berytech inaugurates training room with Minister Hamadeh He then shared few highlights of Berytech s history: Lebanon s pioneering incubation and business development center, it has, since inception actively promoted, created and developed more than 70 startups and assisted in creating over 250 jobs. More then 100 medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were supported also through training, coaching and hosting. This led Berytech to expand from one center to two while receiving recognition from the European Union. Recently the Berytech Fund, a $6M startup fund was launched to complement its offering to startups and SMEs with equity financing. These have been challenging years, and there will be more difficulties ahead. But I am very optimistic about the future of this institution as well as this country, said Mr. Chammas. Our entrepreneurs are incredibly talented, resourceful and deeply committed to the economic growth of Lebanon. Mr. Hamadeh declared: This center is but one of the numerous achievements of Saint Joseph University and Berytech, and I am proud to have been connected to it, despite the intermission. Berytech Fund targeting the ICT sector officially launched The first startup Fund targeting the Lebanese Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector was officially launched during the extraordinary general assembly of Berytech Fund SAL (Holding) which took place on Friday 30 May, 2008 at Berytech Technology & Health Beirut. The General Assembly elected the following board members: -- Mr. Maroun N. Chammas Chairman -- Banque Audi SAL represented by Mrs. Jocelyne Jalkh -- Berytech Scal represented by the Chairman -- Computer Information Systems (CIS) SAL represented by Dr. Antoine El Kareh -- Credit Libanais SAL, represented by Mr. Georges Hajj -- Fransabank SAL represented by Mr. Walid Daouk -- Lebanese Canadian Bank SAL represented by Mr. Fouad Rahme -- Libano Francaise Finance SAL represented by Mr. Walid Raphael -- MDS SAL represented by Mr. Nabil Bustros -- Pesco Telecom SAL represented by Mr. Fadi Debbane -- Saint Joseph University (USJ) represented by S.J Bruno Sion (now replaced by S.J Joseph Nassar) -- Mr. Sami Beydoun representing himself -- Service Unis Sarl represented by Mr. Ibrahim Yazigi With over $6 million under management, Berytech Fund will be investing in early-stage technology companies, providing equity capital and guidance needed to succeed. Spearheaded by Berytech Scal, Berytech Fund garnered the interest of investors from prominent Lebanese banks, large national corporations, Fortune 500 multinational companies, local NGOs, universities as well as individuals who shared Berytech s vision to support entrepreneurship in Lebanon. Intel Capital, Cisco as well as other shareholders of the Fund have expressed the intention to provide further funding in some of the portfolio companies. The Fund will be calling on their international network and that of other shareholders to pull in the necessary expertise and provide market outreach. According to Mr. Maroun Chammas, Chairman «The funding gap for seed and startup companies in Lebanon was a driving force behind the establishment of the Berytech Fund. By supporting innovation and technology in their earliest form, we have a chance to foster a vibrant ICT sector in Lebanon.» Sami Beydoun, Managing Partner of the Fund, called upon interested companies to contact him. I would be happy to sit with entrepreneurs seeking an added-value investment to match their growth needs. 4th edition of the Summer School for Entrepreneurs concluded From July 7 to 23, Berytech hosted a group of would be entrepreneurs for the 4th edition of the Summer School for Young Entrepreneurs. As usual, participants came from mixed backgrounds, industries and academic experience, but they all shared a common passion, that of entrepreneurship. The Summer School is designed to support thorough exploration of a business opportunity in a practical format. Topics and sessions included the development of skills to assess and shape an opportunity and the presentation of a business plan to a panel of business practitioners in the form of a customer-driven feasibility study. Based on the increased knowledge accumulated during the two-week session, they were able to make the decision as to whether being an entrepreneur was for them. Certificates of participation were distributed to all participants who successfully completed the course requirements. A joyful graduation ceremony gathered as well some of the instructors and panel members and the team of Berytech. A good number of the participants will be applying to the Digital Arabic Content competition, organized by ESCWA in partnership with Berytech, while others are planning to submit their business plans to Berytech s yearly Incubation Awards. Continued from p.01 Berytech signs MOU with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation One of Lebanon s pioneering incubation and business development centres, Berytech has supported more than 70 start-ups and assisted in creating over 250 jobs. Since its inception in 2002, Berytech has actively promoted, created and developed value added start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through training, coaching, hosting and facilitating access to finance. Commenting on the agreement, Maroun N. Chammas said: We are delighted and honoured that MBRF chose Berytech to deploy its program across the region. We share the Foundation s vision and goals in entrepreneurship and we are confident that the joining of such forces will yield an evidential impact on the issues at hand; namely unemployment and brain drain which Berytech has been successfully addressing for a number of years. Praising Berytech s proactive role, Sultan Lootah said: We are glad to cooperate with such a dedicated organisation that mobilises necessary resources to enhance opportunities for the Lebanese youth. It has led by example in providing professional consultancy and financial support to nurture entrepreneurial activities in the country. We are looking forward to leveraging Berytech s knowledge and expertise for promoting entrepreneurship as a favourable alternative for job creation. According to the MoU, Berytech and the Foundation will cooperate to develop broader and deeper innovation capabilities throughout Lebanon and the region, contributing to future sustainable economic growth and the creation of new employment opportunities. The partnership also aims to drive regional entrepreneurship-related research and the establishment of centres of excellence. Besides its involvement in the development of online entrepreneurship-related educational content, Berytech will also participate in organising and hosting competitions, seminars and events aimed at fostering the entrepreneurship base, both locally and regionally. Following the signing ceremony, Sultan Lootah accompanied by Maroun N. Chammas toured Berytech s incubation centre and business development facilities. During the visit, Lootah met with a number of entrepreneurs who briefed him on their fledgling projects and the kind of support they received from Berytech

Berytech in numbers Alf Mile wins the ESCWA-Berytech DAC competition I have already partners; besides, I am looking to uphold it through resellers, new partners and clients, so in this way they

18 criteria for excellence BIC Label 50 entities hosted 70 startups supported 250 jobs created $150K disbursed in grants $6M Berytech Fund The ESCWA sponsored competition for Digital Arabic Content

During stage I of the competition, candidates presented their ideas in a concise manner permitting evaluators to quickly and efficiently review the maximum number of proposals in a short time.

Projects addressed a variety of subjects relevant to the socioeconomic development of the Arab region and included software for the development of DAC as well as development of applications for

3 Berytech in numbers Alf Mile wins the ESCWA-Berytech DAC competition I have already partners; besides, I am looking to uphold it through resellers, new partners and clients, so in this way they encourage my software to other clients and their partners and so on. 18 criteria for excellence BIC Label 50 entities hosted 70 startups supported 250 jobs created $150K disbursed in grants $6M Berytech Fund The ESCWA sponsored competition for Digital Arabic Content (DAC) launched in June 2008 in partnership with Berytech, attracted dozens of meritorious projects and yielded one winner, Alf Mile, a regional gaming project driven by team leader Mr. Hassan Ayoub. During stage I of the competition, candidates presented their ideas in a concise manner permitting evaluators to quickly and efficiently review the maximum number of proposals in a short time. Candidates were also encouraged to submit more than one idea. Projects addressed a variety of subjects relevant to the socioeconomic development of the Arab region and included software for the development of DAC as well as development of applications for e-government, e-learning, e-health, and e-culture. During stage II, the evaluation committee, composed of ESWA and Berytech advisors as well as prominent experts in the ICT field, met face-to-face with candidates whose applications were accepted. Evaluators were able to experience firsthand the communication and presentation skills of their candidates and to better ascertain the maturity level of their proposals. The evaluation committee was quite pleased with the excellent quality of the great majority of applications and regretted that the conditions and requirements of the competition did not allow for more than one proposal to be chosen. Applicants who were not chosen were nevertheless encouraged to seek Berytech s advice on preparing a business plan, help in getting finance, access to business support tools and services, as well as synergy, networking, visibility and participation in events organized by Berytech. Alf Mile is an educational interactive game set in 3D virtual reality. Players will travel around a virtual Arab World learning about local customs, getting a closer look at the culture of various Arab countries, discovering large and lesser-known historical and geographical sites while meeting and interacting with other players online. The game will allow players to customize their virtual environment and will help improve their design, programming and 3D gaming skills. The DAC competition took place in the framework of a regional campaign aiming at highlighting the importance of digital Arabic content and encouraging university graduates and young entrepreneurs to submit proposals for a variety of applications. Interview with Berytech Entrepreneur Cyril Joudieh Cyril Joudieh, winner of an Incubation Award in 2007, has recently established his technology start-up, C-Metriks, in Berytech. Holder of a higher degree in Computer Sciences, Mathematics & Physics, and armed with a number of years of experience in a multinational environment, Cyril succeeded in developing a unique software mainly for market research firms and providing various services in dashboarding. Berytech: Who are the companies that should buy your software and why? Cyril Joudieh: Most of the products or solutions that we provide are geared into market research. I have developed for each customer a solution; our main customers are market research firms, field agencies, statistical companies and small to medium trade/service companies. The software has many advantages: It removes mundane tasks, provides standardized reports, it builds business intelligence in the software in order to provide insight into data from all possible angles. And these tools help managers gain approach into their business data and take precise decisions that impact enterprise performance. Being incubated at Berytech helped me a lot to start promoting my software. Berytech: How are they different from competing solutions? CJ: Each one is different in a way: Survey Analysis and Dashboarding has no comprehensive competitor, only modular substitutes. As for Revenue Analysis, it is easy to use; yet does not require training. It is efficient, customizable and standardizable. The software Qualitative Analysis (Focus groups) has many competitors; what makes it different is that you can find three languages: Arabic French and English. Task Reporting: sold at a competitive price, it does not require training and is very easy to use. For Customized Reporting and Automated Presentation Preparation we meet the client demand; also a textual analysis is available. Berytech: How are you planning to develop and promote your software? CJ: First of all, it is important to mention that being hosted at Berytech helped me a lot to start promoting my software. Berytech: Considering that you have acquired your experience via your work in a company; why have you decided to become an entrepreneur? CJ: Working in a company as an employee makes you feel that there is a potential to a certain limited growth. As a matter of fact, I noticed that the market is in need for dashboarding tools, thus I decided to build up the software. Berytech: How did Berytech help you? CJ: Berytech helped me a lot in many stages: Developing a business plan, Hosting, Clustering (we can benefit from each other) and mostly being an entrepreneur at Berytech helped me gain the trust of big entities and groups. I gained the trust of big entities and groups 04 05

From Idea to Startup Best project selected A panel of judges selected the best project submitted within the course From Idea to Startup which was delivered for the second year in a row by Berytech,

In the 2008 edition of the course, Byblos Bank, one of Berytech s shareholders, offered a cash prize for the best projects presented.

curriculum. Instructors included team experts from Berytech in the areas of entrepreneurship, management, finance and marketing. The most promising idea was selected by a panel of mixed expertise.

4 From Idea to Startup Best project selected A panel of judges selected the best project submitted within the course From Idea to Startup which was delivered for the second year in a row by Berytech, within the curriculum of the Faculty of Engineering at Saint Joseph University (ESIB). In the 2008 edition of the course, Byblos Bank, one of Berytech s shareholders, offered a cash prize for the best projects presented. From Idea to Startup is a course designed to teach entrepreneurial skills in terms of management, marketing, finance and business planning to engineering students within the framework of their curriculum. Instructors included team experts from Berytech in the areas of entrepreneurship, management, finance and marketing. The most promising idea was selected by a panel of mixed expertise. Winners received cash prizes and certificates of merit. Their project will be financed by Byblos Bank through a Kafalat Innovative-guaranteed loan and the company will be incubated in Berytech. By sponsoring this project, Byblos Bank has reinforced its commitment to the engineering faculty of USJ (ESIB), and for the support of young Lebanese in projects that will guarantee them a prosperous future. Berytech partakes in Consortium in Jordan and delivers training From August 24 to 27, Berytech delivered a training session to the staff of the Project Management Unit (PMU) within a program for the Support to Research and Technological Development & Innovation Initiative & Strategies in Jordan (SRTD) of which it is part. The training was carried out at the Higher Council for Science and Technology in Amman where the PMU is headquartered. Consisting of a 16-hour course, equally divided between lectures and workshops, Managing the Market was delivered by Berytech s Communication Director, Mrs. Tania Saba Mazraani, and covered the importance of developing marketing orientation, applying a marketing mix for a product or service, and applying the appropriate communication strategy within a market. Trainees demonstrated a high level of discipline and focus as they worked assiduously on the tasks at hands and engaged actively in group discussions. Commenting on the training, one of the participants, Ms. Dina Al Hajji from Optimiza, declared: It was both interesting and constructive. Ms. Mona Al Najdawi, Communication Coordinator at the PMU, commented that although she had taken marketing within university courses, she found this training to be very practical. A lot was covered, she underlined. The SRTD Project works towards increasing the contribution of Jordan s Research & Technological Development (RTD) and Innovation sectors to Jordan s economic growth and employment, by developing the country s scientific and technological capacity. It is managed by a Program Management Unit (PMU). In a nutshell, the SRTD Project aims at developing an innovation culture based on a spirit of international cooperation and competitiveness, as well as on collaboration between the research community and the business sector. Berytech is member of the consortium providing Technical Assistance to the project. Other consortium members include Transtec, the European Business & Innovation Centre Network (EBN), Centre de Recherche Public Henri Tudor and Aide à la Décision Economique (ADE). Interview with BLB Concept Three young Lebanese professionals and entrepreneurs, living in Lebanon, working in Lebanon, and crazy about Lebanon met and decided to create something smart and innovative for Lebanon. The blb concept came to life in the incubator of Berytech. Berytech: Could you please explain to us the activity of BLB? BLB: BLB concept is an online retail company that uses the e-commerce concept, specifically e-tailing to sell products over the Internet via the World Wide Web. The company deals with high quality branded T-shirts with designs related to Lebanese culture and customs which are the core of BLB concept. They could be submitted online by designers from all around the world, through a special portal. Designers could partner with BLB Concept in case their designs were approved and implemented, where they get commission for each t-shirt sold. Once the transaction is completed online, t-shirts will be shipped to customers address around the world through a private courier company. In sum, BLB concept is a merge of various factors combined together to create an entertaining platform for doing business. Berytech s support was a huge added value for the creation of our business. Berytech: What is the origin of your idea? BLB: The main concept was driven from a non formal brainstorming session between two of the founders of BLB Concept. We decided to create a business built on an entertaining platform, and which matches high-end clothes with creative designs about Lebanon. Berytech: What are your targets and which generation are you focusing on? BLB: Our target is Lebanese e-shoppers living abroad. The products will relate to those customers by creating a nostalgic feel of belonging through graphics, wordings, sayings and cultural insights. The provided products will cover this need and elevate the sense of belonging in the customers. Also, a secondary target would be Lebanese people living inside Lebanon. BLB Concept will adapt an internal strategy to accommodate local taste. Berytech: Who are your competitors? BLB: We have two main competitors: 1- INLEB operating through Virgin Mega Stores, and 2- dot community (.community) operating from ABC Ashrafieh. Berytech: What is the support that Berytech has offered to you so you can proceed in your project? BLB: Berytech s support was a huge added value for the creation of our business. They supported us through an incubation program where they provided a fully equipped office and meeting rooms, in addition to regular advising sessions to orient us towards the right techniques and business strategies. In addition to that, their moral support and enthusiasm towards our project was very motivating. Berytech: Where do you see BLB in five years? BLB: In five years, hopefully, we see BLB Concept a leading company in the Lebanese Gift Items category worldwide. Berytech: Finally, what advice would you like to give to young people who have an innovative idea but do not dare making it real? BLB: Ideas will remain ideas until you take action. An innovative idea is a good start, but it should be developed. You will never know all the answers, but once you believe in your project and work to achieve it, opportunities will open up. Success will not come unless you take some risks, but you need to know which risks to take. In all this, Berytech will definitely help you

16-08) Philips / Berytech Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative

5 Science Parks Managers Conference (Nov 17, 18-08) Berytech Pavilion at Termium (Nov 19, 23-08) Gala Dinner & Incubation Awards (Dec 16-08) Philips / Berytech Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative (Jan 09) Berytech s Entrepreneur Forum (Mar 09) Design by WonderEight.com

Call for Projects LIRA 13

Call for Projects LIRA 13 Forum of Technology and Industrial Innovation 2017 Call Description LIRA program, headed by the Ministry of Industry, the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, the National