For years, Lebanon’s leading innovation players have been joining forces, collaborating, supporting founders, and proving that when an ecosystem works together, it grows stronger. In the face of recent challenges that have deeply impacted communities across the country and tested Lebanon’s foundations, this ecosystem has continued to move forward with determination, coming together to rebuild, support one another, and reaffirm its belief in the country’s potential.
Today, that spirit of collaboration becomes official with the launch of the Lebanese Entrepreneurship Acceleration Network (LEAN), a national consortium born from years of naturally evolving partnerships among key institutions, driven by a shared mission to strengthen Lebanon’s startup ecosystem and to empower Lebanese founders locally and globally.
First envisioned in 2023, this national consortium matured into a formal alliance by 2025–2026, supported by strategic advisory from H.E. Dr. Kamal Shehade and ecosystem expert Ramy Bou Jawdeh, Managing Partner of Fermendom.
The MoU signing ceremony took place on Friday, October 30, at the BDD Boardrooms, bringing together the founding partners to formalize their collaboration and mark the official launch.
During the signing ceremony, Maha Zouwayhed, Director of the Talal and Madiha Zein Innovation Park at the American University of Beirut (AUB), highlighted the importance of leading institutions joining forces to create a more connected startup ecosystem.
“LEAN is inspired by a shared vision of a stronger and more connected ecosystem. It’s about complimenting each other to bridge the journey for startups who want to scale and grow internationally.”
The network brings together eight founding institutions: Zein AUB Innovation Park (AUB iPark), the Asher Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACIE-USEK), Beirut Digital District, Berytech, BIAT, Endeavor Lebanon, Lebanese American University, and SmartESA. Together, they aim to combine their expertise, networks, and resources to strengthen Lebanon’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
To translate this vision into action, LEAN is guided by five strategic objectives:
Governance & Future Membership
LEAN will be expanding its network of members to include additional ecosystem players who align with its mission and values.
New members will be considered based on the following criteria:
- Legal establishment and operations in Lebanon.
- A demonstrated focus on startup development and innovation.
- Proven commitment to supporting the Lebanese entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- Willingness to actively contribute to LEAN initiatives, whether through funding, mentorship, or strategic resources.
The admission of new members is subject to majority vote of the existing consortium members. This framework ensures LEAN remains a collaborative, inclusive, and nationally representative platform for Lebanon’s innovation ecosystem.
Reflecting on the launch, Kim Mouawad, Chief Growth Officer at Beirut Digital District, shared:
“This consortium and collective effort are long overdue. It’s time to come together and support Lebanese entrepreneurs here in Lebanon.”
To mark the launch, the consortium will convene startups and key ecosystem stakeholders for an inaugural event focused on identifying the immediate priorities required to strengthen entrepreneurial success and accelerate innovation in Lebanon.
