Implemented by Berytech in partnership with IRALEB, IRI, EBN, LEITAT, and ANIMA, Lebanon Innovate concludes a 46-month journey dedicated to strengthening Lebanon’s innovation ecosystem and fostering collaboration among universities, research centers, industry, the public sector, and business support organizations. 

Throughout its implementation, the program created new opportunities for cooperation and knowledge exchange, helping transform research and scientific expertise into practical solutions and scalable opportunities that respond to market needs and contribute to a knowledge-based economy. 

Mr. Nicolas Farhat: Innovation Is Measured by the Partnerships It Builds 

During the ceremony, Berytech Deputy General Manager Nicolas Farhat emphasized that Lebanon Innovate was far more than a 46-month initiative backed by nearly €3 million in European Union funding. Rather, he described it as a collaborative journey that brought together six partners, three from Lebanon and three from Europe, to connect the various components of the innovation ecosystem and create an enabling environment for growth. 

Mr. Farhat noted that Berytech’s leadership of the program aligns with the vision established by Saint Joseph University of Beirut when it founded Berytech in 2002, a vision centered on connecting ecosystem actors and strengthening collaboration among them. 

He explained that the program’s first phase focused on mapping Lebanon’s innovation ecosystem, identifying 13 universities, six research centers, five business support organizations, and 77 industrial institutions. This exercise provided a deeper understanding of the country’s assets, capabilities, and opportunities for building a more integrated and effective innovation ecosystem. 

According to Mr.Farhat, the program’s greatest achievement lies in its ability to turn this assessment into action by strengthening collaboration between academia, research institutions, and the private sector, and by supporting the transition from research to market opportunities. 

“The true value of Lebanon Innovate is not measured solely by the activities it delivered,” he said. “It is measured by the networks it created, the capacities it strengthened, and the new spaces it opened for researchers, entrepreneurs, and institutions to collaborate.” 

Mr. Farhat stressed that the end of the program does not mark the end of its mission. Instead, it represents a call to build on the progress achieved and continue investing in knowledge, research, and innovation as pillars of Lebanon’s future economy. He also highlighted that the partnerships established between Lebanese and European stakeholders provide a strong foundation for a new phase of collaboration capable of supporting a more mature and sustainable innovation ecosystem. 

EU Ambassador: We Remain Committed to Supporting Lebanon’s Innovation Ecosystem 

For her part, H.E. Sandra De Waele, Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting innovation and strengthening cooperation between Lebanon and Europe. 

She noted that Lebanon Innovate reflects the importance of investing in Lebanese talent, particularly within universities, research institutions, entrepreneurship communities, and innovation support organizations. Building a strong innovation ecosystem, she said, requires a shared vision and continuous collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and academia. 

H.E. Sandra De Waele emphasized that the European Union’s support for the program is part of a broader commitment to helping Lebanon develop its capabilities and empower young people, researchers, and innovators. 

She also highlighted that cooperation between Lebanon and Europe creates opportunities for knowledge exchange and enables Lebanese initiatives to connect with wider networks, helping transform ideas into practical solutions. 

“Innovation is not limited to technology,” she noted. “It is also about finding practical solutions to economic and social challenges and creating bridges between knowledge and the market, between research and society’s needs.” 

The Ambassador concluded by underlining that the impact of Lebanon Innovate can serve as a starting point for a new phase centered on stronger partnerships, institutional support, and enabling innovators to access the resources and networks they need. She reiterated the importance of continuing to support Lebanon’s innovation ecosystem as a driver of opportunity, resilience, and deeper integration with Europe and the Mediterranean region. 

H.E. Eng. Joe Issa-El-Khoury: Scientific Research Is a Pillar of Industrial and Economic Development 

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Industry Eng. Joe Issa-El-Khoury said that Lebanon is experiencing profound geopolitical and technological transformations that require stronger support for scientific research. 

He stressed that research is no longer an academic luxury or a purely theoretical activity, but an essential requirement for industrial modernization, entrepreneurship, and innovation. 

The minister noted that Lebanon’s technology industry remains highly competitive thanks to the flexibility, intelligence, and creativity of its workforce, which constitutes one of the country’s greatest strengths. 

“Innovation, quality, and reputation are our main marketing tools,” he said. “Together with industrialists, we are striving to move scientific research from studies to production lines, turning knowledge into products, ideas into industries, and innovation into economic value and employment opportunities.” 

H.E. Issa-El-Khoury emphasized the need to build sustainable institutional bridges between universities and industry and called for the launch of a National Knowledge Charter. He proposed the creation of a national innovation authority, tax incentives for research and development, stronger engagement with the Lebanese diaspora, specialized research and development clusters in sectors where Lebanon has genuine competitive advantages, and a lasting partnership between universities, industry, scientists, researchers, and Lebanese experts working in leading international universities and research centers. 

H.E. Dr. Amer Bisat: Intellectual Property Protection Is Key to Turning Innovation into Economic Value 

Minister of Economy and Trade Dr. Amer Bisat highlighted the importance of fostering a national culture that encourages innovation and protects ideas, emphasizing that intellectual property is a cornerstone of the modern economy. 

He explained that protecting ideas and inventions not only encourages researchers and entrepreneurs but also plays a critical role in transforming innovation into sustainable economic value capable of generating opportunities and increasing market confidence in Lebanese solutions. 

Bisat noted that a knowledge-based economy requires a legal and regulatory environment that encourages creativity and gives innovators confidence that their ideas can be protected and scaled. 

He stressed that strengthening the intellectual property ecosystem is essential to supporting researchers, innovators, and startups because it connects knowledge production with economic opportunities and enables Lebanese ideas to become competitive products and services. 

According to the minister, innovation represents one of the key pathways toward revitalizing Lebanon’s economy, particularly when linked to market needs and institutional growth. He added that initiatives bringing together universities, the private sector, and business support organizations contribute to creating a more dynamic, knowledge-driven economy. 

He also stressed the importance of building a national culture that views ideas and inventions as genuine economic assets and recognizes scientific research as a driver of development. Programs such as Lebanon Innovate, he said, pave the way for broader institutional cooperation and contribute to a more solution-oriented economy capable of creating jobs and strengthening confidence in Lebanon’s potential. 

H.E. Dr. Kamal Shehadi: Technology and Artificial Intelligence Must Serve the State and Society 

Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence and Minister of the Displaced Dr. Kamal Shehadi focused on the role of technology and artificial intelligence in addressing national challenges. 

He stressed that digital transformation has become a necessity for Lebanon to develop practical solutions across sectors, improve its response to economic and social challenges, and build a future driven by data, knowledge, and innovation. 

Dr. Shehadi emphasized that technology and artificial intelligence should not be viewed as isolated sectors, but as tools capable of improving public services, modernizing administration, increasing productivity, serving citizens, and enhancing access to effective solutions. 

He also underlined the importance of building bridges between technology and productive sectors, as well as between researchers and institutions, to translate digital knowledge into practical applications. 

According to the minister, programs that support innovation help prepare Lebanon for a new era in which data, technology, and artificial intelligence become integral to policymaking, institutional development, and national problem-solving. 

He concluded by stressing that investment in digital innovation and Lebanese talent is essential to strengthening Lebanon’s competitiveness both locally and internationally. He called for continued efforts to create an environment that enables innovators to test and scale their solutions, transforming technology from a theoretical concept into a practical force that supports the economy, serves society, and contributes to building a more resilient future. 

A Legacy That Extends Beyond the Program 

The ceremony highlighted the impact of Lebanon Innovate through a dedicated video and live presentation showcasing the program’s key achievements and the contributions of its partners in capacity building, knowledge exchange, and connecting Lebanon with local, European, and Mediterranean innovation networks. 

The contributions of the teams who accompanied the program throughout its implementation were also highlighted, including Ms. Krystel Khalil, Programs Director at Berytech, whose guidance helped shape the program’s collaborative approach and ecosystem-building efforts, and Ms. Lea Polony, Program Manager at the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, whose continued support contributed to strengthening cooperation between Lebanon and Europe in the field of innovation.

As the evening concluded, one message stood out clearly: the end of Lebanon Innovate does not mark the end of the innovation journey it helped establish. Instead, it opens the door to a new phase of collaboration and builds on the foundations laid over the past 46 months. 

By bringing together universities, research centers, industry, government entities, and business support organizations, the program created a model of cooperation that strengthens Lebanon’s ability to transform knowledge into practical solutions and ideas into scalable opportunities. 

While the program has officially come to an end, its impact endures through the networks it built, the capacities it strengthened, and the partnerships it launched, providing a solid foundation for a more mature, resilient, and sustainable innovation ecosystem in Lebanon.

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The Founders’ Milestone Event brought together 40 stakeholders from across Lebanon’s waste valorization ecosystem to celebrate one year of building – and to launch the next chapter. 

On Tuesday, 9 June 2026, QEEMA – Lebanon’s Waste Valorization Cluster – held its Founders’ Milestone Event at Berytech, Mar Roukoz, bringing together 40 participants including founding members, representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Industry, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, international organizations including UNIDO and UN Global Compact Network Lebanon, fellow cluster builders, and sector stakeholders. 

The evening marked the culmination of QEEMA’s first year of establishment – a year defined bystakeholder engagement, strategy co-creation, field visits,  international exposure, and the building of Lebanon’s first structured platform for the waste valorization sector. 

 “The ecosystem wins. Or no one does. QEEMA exists to build that ecosystem within the waste valorization sector – and tonight, it has the governance to do it” – Ingrid Salloum, Cluster Manager, QEEMA 

A Year Built by Thirteen 

The evening also paid tribute to QEEMA’s 13 founding members – the organizations that said yes from the very beginning, co-created the cluster’s strategy, and whose commitment over the past year made this milestone possible. From field visits to international exhibitions, from strategy workshops to nucleus meetings held across their own company locations, the founding members have been the backbone of everything QEEMA has built to date. 

Their collective decision to build together rather than alone is what distinguishes QEEMA and sets the foundation for what comes next. 

Announcement of QEEMA’s Founding Board 

The highlight of the evening was the official announcement of QEEMA’s founding board – a milestone that marks the transition from a cluster in  developmentto a cluster with formal governance. The seven founding board members, drawn from QEEMA’s founding membership, bring diverse expertise across the waste valorization value chain: 

• Chahid Chamoun — Arcenciel 
• Lara El Khoury — Berytech 
• Ziad Abichaker — Cedar Environmental 
• Marc Aoun — Compost Baladi 
• Chady Makhlouf — Gemayel Frères 
• Pietro Aoun — Holdal Group 
• Mark Khoury — Phoenix Energy — Indevco Group 

Following the announcement, the founding board members signed QEEMA’s founding charter – officially marking the establishment of the cluster’s governance structure. 

Looking Ahead: Four Priorities for Year Two 

With the founding board in place, QEEMA enters its second year with four strategic priorities: 

• Public Sector Engagement — Deepening collaboration with municipalities and advancing policy dialogue with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Industry, and the National Solid Waste Management Authority. 

• Private Sector Activation — Expanding into new sectors including healthcare waste, construction and demolition wasteand agrifood waste, and building the evidence base for waste valorization through surveys and field studies. 

• Official Establishment – Completing QEEMA’s legal registration and finalizing its governance structures. 

• Innovation & Knowledge – Connecting operators, entrepreneurs, and researchers to build a pipeline of solutions for the waste valorization sector. 

An Open Invitation to Join 

QEEMA is now open to new members across Lebanon’s waste valorization ecosystem – from operators and investors to municipalities, researchers, and innovators. As Lebanon’s only waste valorization cluster, QEEMA offers its members access to a structured network, international exposure, capacity building, and a seat at the table in shaping the sector’s future. 

Organizations and individuals interested in joining QEEMA are invited to visit www.qeema.org or reach out directly to the cluster team. 

About QEEMA 

QEEMA – Lebanon’s Waste Valorization Cluster – was established in 2024 with the support of ACT Smart and co-funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It brings together like-minded organizations from across Lebanon’s waste valorization sector to collaborate, innovate, and build a stronger, more competitive ecosystem. QEEMA is hosted by Berytech. 

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A Pioneer That Kept Delivering 

Berytech holds a singular place in the history of the South Mediterranean innovation landscape. Being among the first incubators in the area, it created investment funds, business centers, and clusters that have helped generations of entrepreneurs, setting the benchmark for what an entrepreneurship ecosystem may look like. Even in the face of an unprecedented confluence of political instability and economic collapse, this pioneering spirit has never wavered. 
What sets Berytech apart is not only what was developed during stable times but also what was maintained throughout difficult times.  The organization’s personnel continued to work, support partners, and produce results that affected stakeholders throughout the Mediterranean during the recent circumstances. ANIMA explicitly praised this tenacity when giving the award, expressing how greatly delighted they were that Berytech’s operations continued to benefit project partners from nations throughout the region, even in the face of the most trying circumstances. 

A Partnership Built on Shared Values 

More than ten years of cooperation between Berytech and ANIMA, a partnership based on mutual trust, similar values, and a shared vision for the Mediterranean, are at the core of this honor. They have collaborated on projects aimed at bolstering networks of innovation, connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities, and bridging the gaps that frequently impede regional advancement. Real impact comes from connections between individuals, between industries, and beyond borders, as Mr. Chammas pointed out in his award speech. This idea has guided every phase of the cooperation. 

Looking Forward 

Receiving this award twice in a row is a testament to an organization’s perseverance and ability to maintain excellence. Berytech is well-positioned to continue spearheading innovation and ecosystem development throughout the Mediterranean thanks to its proven track record of resilience and strong regional collaborations. The prize is a directive to keep creating, fostering relationships, and making contributions to a region that needs precisely this kind of sustained dedication rather than a conclusion.  

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Beyond the Program 

For the clusters gathered here, representing Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, this was the culmination of four years of work under the EuroMed Clusters Forward (ECF) program, an EU-funded initiative coordinated by ANIMA Investment Network, with Berytech as the implementing partner in Lebanon. More than fifteen cluster managers and board members, spanning sectors from agrifood and ICT to healthcare and green industries, did not arrive in Athens to receive guidance. They arrived to become leaders. 

This three-day intensive was created by Berytech as a flagship hybrid initiative that combines a masterclass, peer interaction, and strategic retreat. Greece was no random host; Athens, located in the center of the Mediterranean, provided location and resonance as a suitable setting for a program about creating networks across a shared sea. 

The Value Question 

On the first day, participants were required to examine their clusters under the eyes of their peers rather than through internal audits. The seminar encouraged cluster managers to break down what they truly give and to whom by framing it around the idea of Different Actors, Different Value. A crucial realization kept coming up: the most prosperous clusters possess a “wow factor,” a special, vital additional value. At their core, clusters act as connectors. Their role is now defined: to create meaningful linkages, unlock opportunities, and ensure that the right actors meet at the right time to generate innovation and growth. 

Mapping the Collaboration Journey 

One key concept explored was the cooperation journey, from shared goals and communication to cooperation and true collaboration. Participants highlighted that collaboration must be intentional, with clusters clearly defining stakeholder value and measuring impact to strengthen their work. The discussion showed how clusters can evolve from networks into ecosystems that co-create value and drive long-term regional impact.  

During their presence in Athens, participants took part in site visits across the city, gaining direct exposure to local innovation actors and entrepreneurial support structures. The visits offered an opportunity to observe how collaboration models are applied in practice and how ecosystem stakeholders work together to support innovation and business growth. 

Looking Ahead 

The discussions had become more focused and forward-looking by the third day. Workshop 3 transformed the group’s combined knowledge into a tangible Cluster Development Pathway for every team, based on the unique context of each cluster, enhanced by peer exchange, and shaped by global best practices. After three days of candid, high-stakes discussion, participants departed Athens not only with ideas but also with a peer network. The Academy’s primary goal was to create ties that would endure beyond the program itself; these connections were deliberate. 

A Handoff, not a Farewell 

After four years of fostering partnerships around the South Mediterranean, the EuroMed Clusters Forward project is about to begin its last phase. With this in mind, the Cluster Development Executive Academy was created as a handoff. It is anticipated that the clusters that went through Athens will return the favor by teaching the following generation, assisting clusters that are still forming inside their respective nations, and helping to create a robust South Mediterranean Cluster Network that will outlive any one initiative. They arrived in Athens after four years of hard work and education and left with stronger connections and shared experiences.

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