In a region where summers are growing hotter and water is becoming scarcer, one Lebanese startup is looking 4,000 years into the past to find answers, and turning them into a thriving business.  

Meet OyaWay , the first company to bring oyas, ancient clay irrigation pots, to the Lebanese and broader MENA market. The concept is elegantly simple: a porous ceramic vessel buried near a plant’s roots slowly releases water directly into the soil through osmosis, delivering exactly what the plant needs, when it needs it, with near-zero waste from evaporation or surface runoff.  

The result? Up to 70% less water used, and plants that thrive on their own, without daily attention from their owners  

70%  

water saved vs. conventional irrigation  

4,000  

years of proven irrigation history behind the oya technique  

1st  

company to market oyas in Lebanon and the region  

The Problem Worth Solving  

Watering plants and gardens sounds simple enough. But for millions of households and businesses across Lebanon and the wider MENA region, it is anything but. Between the fear of over or underwatering, the daily time commitment, and the mounting anxiety of water shortages during peak summer months, many people end up either neglecting their plants or wasting precious water in the process.  

OyaWay’s founders identified this friction and responded not by reinventing the wheel, but by reviving and updating one of humanity’s most time-tested inventions. Their clay oyas, manufactured locally, act as underground reservoirs. Buried at the root level, water slowly and consistently seep through their micropores into the surrounding soil. Plants draw moisture only when they need it, with watering taking place over 5 to 10 days on average.   

“Oyas provide both households and businesses with an easy, convenient, and hassle-free watering system that allows plants to take just the right amount of water, only when needed”.  

— Paul Samaha, Founder  

From Selection to Acceleration: OyaWay’s Journey Inside ScaleSmart  

OyaWay was selected as one of only four startups to join the third batch of ScaleSmart, Berytech’s competitive pre-investment acceleration program designed to help growth-stage companies become investment-ready.   

Since joining, OyaWay has been immersed in an intensive, structured program that spans financial modeling, marketing strategy, governance, fundraising, and product development, all tailored to the unique realities of each startup.  

December 2025
Application & Outreach  

OyaWay applied to ScaleSmart Batch 3 following Berytech’s outreach events including the Raise Smart Webinar and the Meet the Sharks event.  

January 2026  
Due Diligence & Selection  

After passing due diligence checks and ScaleSmart interviews as a Top 10 candidate, OyaWay was selected into the final cohort of four startups.  

February 2026  
Induction & Needs Assessment  

OyaWay completed its online induction with the ScaleSmart team, submitted a self-assessment, and began one-on-one needs assessment clinics with the Investment Unit.  

February – April 2026  
Workshops & Expert Clinics  

Intensive workshops in financial modeling & valuation, marketing & growth hacking, and personalized clinics in product optimization and growth strategy with external industry experts.  

May – June 2026  
Fundraising, Governance & Pitching  

Workshops and clinics in fundraising roadmap, sales strategy, governance for scaling, and now pitching, with the demo day approaching.  

What OyaWay Is Building Right Now  

Being first to market always comes with a particular challenge: you must educate your audience before you can sell to them. Very few people in Lebanon, let alone the wider MENA region, have heard of oyas, and OyaWay’s team is acutely aware of this. A significant focus of their work inside ScaleSmart is figuring out the right strategies to raise awareness and bring a genuinely unfamiliar product into the mainstream.

“What works, says Paul, founder, is word of mouth - which allowed us to secure deals with offices, restaurants, and guest houses. In the end, both businesses and households face the same watering challenges”. 

Challenges Faced, Current Focus, and ScaleSmart’s Support   

One of OyaWay’s biggest priorities upon entering ScaleSmart was gaining a thorough understanding of its finances and validating its multi-year sales projections with confidence. Today, the team is focused on raising awareness in a first-to-market category while scoping the operational needs to establish its own oya manufacturing unit. Through ScaleSmart, OyaWay is also building a solid growth strategy with concrete KPIs to measure success and strengthen its readiness for future investors.  

The Vision  

Looking ahead, OyaWay envisions sustainable growth through investor partnerships and continuous product innovation for households and businesses across the MENA region.  

On the operational side, OyaWay is also working toward establishing its own manufacturing unit, a move that would allow greater quality control, scalability, and cost efficiency as demand grows. It is an ambitious goal that the ScaleSmart program is helping them plan for methodically.  

Why This Matters Beyond the Business  

Lebanon faces one of the most acute water stress challenges in the world. As climate change intensifies summer droughts and public water infrastructure remains unreliable, solutions that drastically reduce water consumption are not just commercially interesting; they are genuinely necessary. OyaWay’s product sits at the rare intersection of ecological responsibility, cultural heritage, and practical everyday utility.  

Looking Ahead 

As ScaleSmart Batch 3 heads into its final stretch, OyaWay is preparing to take their growth further with exposure, networking, and opportunities at upcoming ScaleSmart matchmaking and investment events. But their ambition stretches beyond:   

The team aspires to use ScaleSmart’s offerings to establish OyaWay as the definitive name in sustainable irrigation across MENA, continuously innovating their product for both households and businesses, and building the kind of investor-backed foundation that turns a first-mover advantage into lasting market leadership.  

“We want to leverage ScaleSmart’s mentorship, resources and network connections to set OyaWay on the path for healthy growth through strong partnerships, and to innovate our offerings for both households and businesses in the MENA region.”  

–  OyaWay Team  

Follow OyaWay’s journey on Instagram and LinkedIn, and explore their full product range at oyaway.com.  

The post Ancient Wisdom, Modern Impact: OyaWay Brings a 4,000-Year-Old Solution to the MENA’s Water Crisis  appeared first on Berytech.

This year’s edition welcomes 14 startups working across agrifood and cleantech technologies. For the first time, they will progress through much of the program as one cohort, learning side by side while continuing to receive the specialized support each venture needs to grow within its own field. 

Over the next six months, participating startups will follow an intensive acceleration program designed to help them validate their solutions, strengthen their business models, and prepare for growth. Through workshops, technical clinics, one-on-one mentorship, business coaching, and hands-on guidance, founders will be supported every step of the way. Following the acceleration phase, selected startups will continue into a four-month incubation phase, receiving additional support to further develop and commercialize their innovations. 

While each team faces its own technical and market-specific challenges, many of the entrepreneurial skills needed to build a successful business are shared. More importantly, this approach reflects the way innovation increasingly happens today. Agrifood startups are increasingly looking to technologies that improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, optimize production, and strengthen sustainability. At the same time, many cleantech solutions find their greatest impact when applied to real challenges faced by industries such as agrifood. 

Bringing these entrepreneurs together creates opportunities that go beyond sharing the same workshops. It allows founders to learn from different perspectives, discover unexpected synergies, and challenge one another’s thinking, while continuing to benefit from tailored guidance that responds to their unique technologies, markets, and stage of growth. The result is a richer learning experience that combines the strength of a shared entrepreneurial foundation with the depth of sector-specific expertise. 

Throughout the program, participants will also gain access to Berytech’s wider network of mentors, investors, industry experts, corporate partners, and innovation stakeholders. Along the way, they’ll build valuable connections, strengthen their market readiness, and gain exposure to local and international ecosystems that can help open doors to partnerships, funding opportunities, and new markets long after the program comes to an end. 

The selected startups represent a diverse range of solutions tackling some of today’s most pressing challenges across agrifood and cleantech. Over the coming months, they will work closely with Berytech and its network of partners to transform promising ideas into scalable businesses with the potential to create lasting economic and environmental impact. 

“An accelerator isn’t just about helping startups move faster. It’s about exposing founders to the right people, the right questions, and sometimes the unexpected conversations that completely change the way they think. This edition isn’t simply about combining two programs. It’s about intentionally creating the kind of environment where different experiences collide, assumptions are challenged, and innovation happens in ways you can’t plan for.” 

• Elise Sfeir, Program Manager 

As the Agrytech Accelerator enters its eighth edition and the Clyntech Accelerator reaches its fifth, this joint cohort marks an exciting new chapter for both programs. By bringing together entrepreneurs working on complementary challenges while preserving the specialized support that defines each accelerator, Berytech continues to build an innovation ecosystem where stronger businesses, and stronger solutions, can grow together. 

Meet the selected startups  

From pollination drones to recycled fabric fibers, the fourteen startups below show just how wide-ranging agrifood and cleantech innovation can be. Each one brings a different idea and market, but they all share the same goal: building a sustainable, scalable business. 

• Beaver: An educational construction system using wooden bars, reusable connectors, and a child-safe cutter to help kids build real structures from their own ideas, sustainably. 

• BeeBot: An autonomous pollination drone using AI flower detection to support orchards during critical bloom periods, reducing labor dependency and pollen waste. 

• Eggs with Benefits: A Lebanese agrifood brand producing organic, nutrient-enriched free-range eggs (Omega-3, Vitamins A & E) with no antibiotics or hormones. 

• Fotra: A biotech startup growing edible and medicinal mushrooms indoors, with a long-term vision of mycelium-based materials for construction and furniture. 

• FullFarm: A mobile app that digitizes livestock farm management, replacing paper tracking with digital cow profiles, milk production logs, and smart health reminders. 

• Krich: Biotech that converts poultry feather waste into high-value keratin-based ingredients for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. 

• Lebotanica: A Bekaa Valley agritech venture turning crops and by-products into oils, extracts, and skincare goods through regenerative farming and in-house processing. 

• Nawah: A smart food scanning platform that gives instant, personalized health scores by analyzing nutrition, additives, and allergens. 

• Nexora: A cleantech startup converting post-consumer PET waste into recycled Polyfloss fibers, a sustainable alternative to virgin polyester filling. 

• Ovitech: An agritech startup with a proprietary device for controlled artificial impregnation of sheep. 

• Sapore Del Sud: A circular olive oil venture in Deir Mimas producing EVOO, olives, and soap, while converting byproducts into eco-friendly fuel briquettes. 

• SIMAR: A traceability platform connecting verified local producers directly with restaurants and retailers via lab-tested, QR-coded digital records. 

• Tenue: An AI-powered digital closet and stylist app that reduces impulse buying by matching new purchases against your existing wardrobe. 

• Tiny Tummy: A virtual restaurant delivering fresh, ready-to-eat meals designed for infants and toddlers, via cloud kitchens and subscriptions. 

The post One cohort, two accelerators: Berytech launches a special joint edition of the Agrytech and Clyntech Accelerators  appeared first on Berytech.

Some startups scale their product; others scale their vision. Awfarli did something rarer: it scaled its purpose, evolving from a consumer app into technology that now sits inside Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy and Trade. 

When Hussein joined ScaleSmart as part of an early Berytech cohort, Awfarli was a functioning mobile app with a clear mission: help Lebanese consumers compare supermarket prices, make smarter purchasing decisions, and navigate an economic landscape where price transparency was sorely lacking. The app worked, the need was real, but a bigger question remained: what kind of company could Awfarli truly become? 

A year later, that question has a remarkable answer. Awfarli’s technology and learnings have been woven into the broader innovation work of HTech, its holding company, and the platform now powers a dashboard used by Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy and Trade, following the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding. What began as a consumer price tracker has become part of the country’s public-sector infrastructure for market transparency. 

Where It All Started 

By the time Awfarli entered ScaleSmart, it was not a prototype or an idea, it was a live product. The app and its accompanying analytics dashboard were fully operational, the market need had been validated, and the team had built genuine technology to address price opacity in Lebanon’s retail sector. 

The challenge was never about proving the problem existed, it was about direction. As Hussein explains, the team was already thinking beyond the consumer app, sensing that the real value of what they had built extended to businesses, institutions, and policymakers. ScaleSmart came at exactly the right moment to help them structure that next phase with rigor and strategic clarity. 

When they joined ScaleSmart 

• PA validated consumer app looking for its next chapter 

• Live mobile app and analytics dashboard 

• Proven need for price transparency 

• Focused on consumer downloads and user activity 

• Business model not yet fully structured 

• Potential for institutional use unexplored 

One year later 

• A data platform embedded in national infrastructure 

• Technology deployed at the Ministry of Economy 

• MoU signed through holding company HTech 

• Repositioned as a market transparency & data platform 

• Clear revenue streams, unit economics, and stakeholder value 

• Integrated into HTech’s public-sector innovation work 

The Shift That Changed Everything 

Inside ScaleSmart, the most important transformation was not operational, it was conceptual. The program pushed Hussein and his team to move past vanity metrics and think more seriously about the fundamentals: revenue streams, unit economics, long-term sustainability, and, crucially, who the real stakeholders of a price transparency platform actually are. 

The answer that emerged reshaped everything. Awfarli was not just useful to individual shoppers making decisions at the supermarket aisle. Its data, infrastructure, and analytical capabilities were potentially far more valuable to businesses benchmarking competition, and to government institutions trying to monitor, regulate, and protect consumers at scale. 

“The program pushed us to think beyond downloads and user activity, and to focus more seriously on revenue streams, unit economics, stakeholder value, and long-term sustainability.” 

Hussein, Founder, Awfarli / HTech 

This reframing, from “price comparison app” to “market transparency and data-driven platform”, opened an entirely different category of opportunity. Within a year, it led directly to the most significant milestone in the company’s history. 

From Startup to State Partnership 

The MoU with Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy and Trade is more than a commercial win. It is a validation that the problem Awfarli set out to solve, the lack of price transparency in Lebanon’s consumer market, is recognized at the highest levels of government as a structural, national challenge. What began as a tool for consumers is now helping policymakers monitor market dynamics and protect consumers at scale. 

MoU 

signed with Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy and Trade through HTech 

Live 

dashboard actively used by the Ministry for market transparency 

HTech 

holding company now integrating Awfarli into broader public-sector innovation work 

This evolution reflects a broader thesis that ScaleSmart helped crystallize: the most durable tech businesses in Lebanon are not those that chase the consumer market alone, but those that build infrastructure, data, platforms, and systems that governments, businesses, and institutions are willing to depend on. Awfarli, it turned out, had been building exactly that, without yet fully realizing it. 

Advice for the Next Founder Walking Through the Door 

When asked what he would tell a founder considering applying to ScaleSmart, Hussein did not lead with the workshops or the network: 

“Join only if you are ready to be challenged. ScaleSmart is not only useful for improving your pitch or business plan, it pushes you to question the fundamentals of your startup, your model, your growth path, and the way you communicate your value. Enter the program with an open mind, be honest about what is not working, and use the feedback to sharpen both the business and the vision.” 

For Awfarli, that process produced something concrete: a technology platform now embedded in Lebanon’s public-sector infrastructure, a holding company with institutional credibility, and a founder who understands the difference between building a product and building a platform with real, lasting impact. 

The post From App to National Infrastructure: How Awfarli Grew Beyond Its Own Vision  appeared first on Berytech.

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.

The post Berytech Concludes the Lebanon Innovate Program After 46 Months of Strengthening Innovation in Lebanon appeared first on Berytech.

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. 

The post QEEMA Marks a Milestone: Lebanon’s First Waste Valorization Cluster Announces Its Founding Advisory Board  appeared first on Berytech.

As the cohort moves deeper into the incubation phase, Berytech’s Clyntech program delivers a hands-on governance workshop to equip eight early-stage startups with the frameworks they need to grow responsibly and attract investment.

Growing a startup is not just about increasing revenue, it is about building the internal infrastructure that makes growth sustainable. With this in mind, Berytech organized a half-day governance workshop for the eight startups currently enrolled in the Clyntech Incubator Program, bringing in a specialized consultant to guide founders through the organizational and governance challenges that define this critical stage of their journey.

Having already completed the Acceleration phase, where they validated their products and tested their business models with early adopters, the Clyntech cohort is now focused on a new set of priorities: structuring their organizations, defining leadership roles, and becoming investment-ready. The governance workshop was designed precisely to address these needs.

“Good governance is not bureaucracy, it is the architecture that lets a startup scale without losing its soul.”

Workshop themes

Four Pillars, One Foundation

The workshop covered Four interconnected areas that together form the backbone of any investment-ready startup.

On organizational structure, founders explored how to map their team’s current needs against the demands of their growth stage, identifying gaps in skills and roles, establishing clear reporting lines, and understanding the fundamentals of cap table structuring. The session also tackled the often-overlooked but critical topic of co-founder dynamics and how shared decision-making authority should be formalized early.

The culture and leadership segment challenged founders to reflect on the values that define their companies and on their own role in embodying and sustaining those values as their teams grow. Participants worked through accountability frameworks that balance high performance expectations with team wellbeing, a balance that becomes increasingly difficult to maintain without deliberate design.

The internal governance segment provided founders with a practical roadmap: from understanding the different levels of governance appropriate to each startup growth phase, to learning how to establish a board of advisors, run effective board meetings, and manage the relationships between management, shareholders, and other key stakeholders.

What comes next

From Workshop to Action: One-on-One Clinics

The workshop was just the beginning. Each startup in the cohort will benefit from up to two dedicated one-on-one clinic sessions with the consultant, where the concepts introduced during the workshop will be applied directly to each team’s specific governance situation, their structure, their cap table, their leadership dynamics, and their growth plans.

Following the first clinic session, the consultant will assess each startup’s needs and recommend whether a second session is warranted — ensuring that support is targeted, practical, and genuinely useful for each team’s stage and context. The process will be coordinated closely with the Clyntech program team at Berytech.

The ultimate deliverable: a finalized, full governance plan for each of the eight startups — a living document they can use to guide decisions, reassure investors, and build with confidence.

For cleantech startups with disruptive scientific or technological ambitions, getting governance right is not a formality, it is a competitive advantage. Investors look for founders who understand not just their market, but their organization. The Clyntech program’s governance track is built around exactly that conviction.

The Clyntech Incubator Program at Berytech supports early-stage cleantech startups that have completed the Acceleration phase and are ready to develop further. The program equips founders with the tools, networks, and knowledge needed to become investment-ready and create sustainable impact.

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Selected from a competitive pool of eleven applicants, the cohort gathered for a full-day session spanning program design, investment readiness, OKRs, and a warm welcome from Lebanon’s highest offices.

Berytech officially welcomed the eight startups selected for its Clyntech program at a dedicated induction session held at its premises. Chosen from eleven applicants who made it through the competitive screening process, the cohort represents a new wave of Cleantech innovators ready to scale through Berytech’s structured incubation and growth pathway.

The session opened with a comprehensive overview of the program, giving founders a clear picture of what lies ahead: the program’s design, the technical support and resources made available to them, the timeline of key milestones, and the dual objectives of incubation and sustainable growth.

“Eight teams. One shared mission, to drive innovation and create lasting impact through the Clyntech program.”

The MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) team then took the floor to walk founders through the operational side of the program, outlining the procedures they will follow, the requirements expected of them, and the reporting and accountability frameworks that will guide their progress throughout the engagement.

Program sessions

A Day Built for Founders

Beyond onboarding logistics, the induction day featured a series of substantive knowledge sessions designed to equip the cohort with the strategic and financial foundations they’ll need from day one.

Elise Sfeir, Accelerator Manager at Berytech, led a focused session on Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) a goal-setting framework the startups will use to define, track, and measure their ambitions throughout the program. Najib Zbeidy, Investment Specialist at Berytech, followed with a session on the broader economic and investment landscape, offering founders critical context on how to position their ventures for funding and long-term viability.

A Welcome from Leadership

The induction day was elevated by the presence of two distinguished guests who underscored the significance of this cohort and the Clyntech program within Lebanon’s broader development agenda.

• Maroun N. Chammas, Chairman and CEO of Berytech, joined the session to personally welcome the eight startups; expressing confidence in their potential and reaffirming Berytech’s commitment to fostering homegrown innovation.
• Kamal Shehadi, Minister of State for Technology & Artificial Intelligence, also attended, signaling the government’s recognition of Clean-tech as a strategic pillar for Lebanon’s economic resilience and technological advancement.

Their presence sent a clear message to the cohort: the work ahead carries weight beyond the individual startup, it is part of a national effort to rebuild, innovate, and grow.

The Clyntech program at Berytech supports early-stage and growth-stage startups in their sector. The current cohort will undergo a structured journey of incubation, mentorship, technical assistance, and investment readiness over the coming months.

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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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The program, co-funded by the Kingdom of The Netherlands, supports Cleantech innovation in Lebanon by empowering startups to move from prototype or MVP to market-ready solutions that can scale. 

Inside Selection Day 

Selection Day is where the acceleration journey becomes real: teams must prove how far they have pushed their product, how well they understand their market, and how committed they are to execution. Each startup had three minutes to pitch, followed by up to twelve minutes of questions from the jury, who challenged their assumptions; stress‑tested their numbers, and dug into their growth plans. 

 Clyntech assembled a jury that blends program, financial, and technical perspectives who evaluated each venture based on: product or MVP readiness and innovation, growth potential,  and scalability,  This format ensured that founders were not only rewarded for a compelling pitch, but also for the depth of their thinking and their ability to respond in real time. 

The jury members: 

• Lara El Khoury: Programs Director at Berytech 
• Rami Sbeih: Chief Executive Officer of Plastic Lab  
• Christophe El Khoury: CTO and Tech Advisor 
• Samar Hawa: Senior advisor at Berytech Fund II 
• Slayman Fawaz: Program Manager at Berytech 

Founders also prepared small, branded thank‑you gifts, turning the afternoon into a memorable moment that reflected each startup’s story and identity and reinforced the sense of community around Clyntech. 

From Acceleration to the Stage 

The eleven startups that reached Selection Day had already gone through Clyntech’s acceleration phase, where they refined their Minimum Viable Products, validated their markets, and built concrete go‑to‑market strategies. Through one‑on‑one coaching, technical clinics, and practical workshops on finance, customer acquisition, and pitching, they turned early concepts into testable and increasingly investable business models. 

Throughout this journey, teams were encouraged to iterate quickly: integrate feedback from mentors and experts, sharpen their value propositions, and back their claims with data from pilots, early users, or letters of intent. By the time they stepped onto the stage, every team had a clearer view of the problem they are solving, the people they are serving, and the path they see toward scale. 

Meet the Eight Startups Moving into Incubation & Growth 

Eight startups stood out for their combination of innovation, traction, and potential to scale impactful cleantech solutions. They now move into Clyntech’s four‑month Incubation & Growth Phase, where they will focus on growth, traction, and investment readiness, with access to a matching grant of up to 17,000 USD, an international trip, and rich networking opportunities. 

• Argentum: Transforms toxic X‑ray films and other silver‑containing waste into high‑purity recovered silver using an innovative process, creating a new sustainable source of valuable metal. The team achieved certification for 100% pure recovered silver, and started production, closing their first sale in April 2026. 
• AirGuard One: Developing an AI-powered self-healing network infrastructure hardware and software system that detects interference and automatically optimizes networks in real time. They signed agreements with 5 major Internet Service Providers in Lebanon (30,000+ users) to deploy AirGuard across 10% of their network stations over the next 2 years 
• GoPark: A smart parking platform described as the “Airbnb of parking,” helping drivers pre‑book parking spaces while enabling property owners to monetize underused private spots. With 4,000 app downloads and 500 completed bookings, GoPark is already reducing time wasted searching for parking and the associated congestion and emissions in busy areas. 
• My Smart Wardrobe: A premium, tech‑enabled after‑care platform that restores, repairs, and extends the life of fashion items to make circular luxury seamless and accessible. The startup has already processed more than 2,500 items, serving over 1,200 customers with 1,300+ orders, proving that repair can be both convenient and aspirational. 
• Play Explore Learn (PEL Toys): Creates eco-friendly wooden playhouses for young children, using safe and sustainable materials. Their designs replace toys with durable, all-in-one play spaces made from sustainable wood. These screen-free environments encourage creativity and hands-on learning, while being safe, long-lasting, 
• Savvy Element: Develops high‑performance cleaning products using green chemistry and introduces concentrated and water‑reduced formats, such as tablets, to reduce packaging waste and transport inefficiencies. By combining performance, safer formulations, and refill‑friendly formats, Savvy Element is redefining everyday cleaning in a region where most products are still largely water shipped in plastic. 
• Transbollard: Repurposes waste rubber into modular products that transform underused spaces without relying on new materials. The team is moving toward its first pilot project in a private outdoor space, aiming to validate how their sustainable modules can make existing environments more functional, flexible, and durable. 
• Up For Grabs: A mobile app that helps food businesses sell surplus food as discounted “mystery bags” for pickup, turning daily waste into affordable meals. With MVP builds ready on Android and iOS and more than 20 active pilot testers, the startup is positioning itself as a practical tool for both cost‑conscious consumers and food outlets trying to reduce waste. 

What the Incubation & Growth Phase Offers 

Over the next four months, the eight selected startups will work through a focused Incubation & Growth Phase designed to help them grow faster, solidify traction, and get ready for investment. They will benefit from advanced one‑on‑one coaching, targeted workshops, and tailored support to refine their business models, strengthen their financial projections, work on their valuation, and professionalize their operations. 

Each startup will also have access to a matching grant of up to 17,000 USD, enabling them to invest in critical growth activities such as product development, user testing, team hiring, or go‑to‑market experiments. In addition, the program includes an international trip that will expose founders to new markets, networks, and best practices, as well as multiple networking opportunities with investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners. 

About Clyntech, and What’s Next 

Clyntech Accelerator is a Berytech program dedicated to supporting cleantech innovators in Lebanon who are tackling challenges in energy, water, waste management, sustainable materials, and urban mobility. Through a structured journey that combines acceleration and incubation, Clyntech offers tailored business and technical support, access to expert networks, and funding opportunities to help startups validate, grow, and scale their solutions. 

If you are building a cleantech startup and want to explore whether Clyntech is the right fit, start by taking our quick eligibility quiz Startup Readiness and submitting your application via F6S Apply to Clyntech Batch 5 | F6S before May 17, 2026. To stay updated on upcoming calls and activities, follow Berytech on our social media channels and keep an eye on our website for the latest news and opportunities. 

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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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