On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, East International University hosted the IdeaLab Info Session to introduce students to the IdeaLab pre-accelerator program, which is organized by Injaz Lebanon in partnership with Berytech.
The session began with a warm welcome from Mr. Hani Mawlawi of EIU, who emphasized the vital role of such entrepreneurship support programs in equipping students with the skills and resources needed to transform innovative ideas into successful ventures.
Dr. Maria Aouad, IdeaLab Project Coordinator at Injaz Lebanon, provided an insightful overview of the IdeaLab pre-accelerator, outlining the program’s eligibility criteria, selection process, and related workshops’ structure. Through examples of previous entrepreneurial projects supported by IdeaLab, Dr. Aouad highlighted how IdeaLab helps aspiring entrepreneurs tackle challenges in clean and agri-food technologies, guiding them through the process of validating their solutions and turning small ideas into viable businesses.
Adding a firsthand perspective, EIU student Saleh Saleh, who participated in a previous cycle of IdealLab, shared his success story. Through IdeaLab, he developed Rose Wood Amber, a business that upcycles used cooking oil into handcrafted soaps in various scents and shapes. Saleh credited the IdeaLab program for helping him conduct market and financial studies, build a solid marketing plan, and refine his pitch for investors—key steps that prepared him for real-world entrepreneurial success.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, allowing students to explore how IdeaLab can support their entrepreneurial journey.
For more information about IdeaLab or to apply, check https://www.injaz-lebanon.org/activities/projects/idealab.html
IdeaLab program is in partnership with Berytech_and co-funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Onlinlebanon under the ACTSmart Innovation Hub, a comprehensive initiative launched by Berytech to enable the Lebanese entrepreneurial ecosystem and stimulate innovation and startup creation in the agriculture, food, and clean technology sectors.