Beirut, July 12, 2016 – Speed@BDD held its second Demo Day, on Monday July 11, 2016, at the
Sursock Museum, in Ashrafieh, in the presence of 200 investors, officials, and media
representatives. Seven startups pitched their businesses and showcased their products after
completing the three-month acceleration program. This occasion also marked Speed@BDD’s
first anniversary, a year during which the accelerator completed two full cycles and successfully
launched 13 startups to market.
During its acceleration cycle, Speed@BDD invested in each startup $30,000 in cash and an
equivalent amount in in-kind services covering free hosting, product and business
development, financial advisory, legal services, and mentorship from key experts in various
industries.
“A year ago, we launched Speed@BDD with the goal of building high quality startups ready for
investment. Today, we celebrate our first year anniversary and we are proud of the
achievements of the 13 accelerated startups,” commented Sami Abou Saab, CEO of
Speed@BDD, during the welcome note at the Sursock Museum. “Batch II startups pushed the
boundaries and all of them were able to launch their products to market after three months of
hard work and dedication. On behalf of the Speed@BDD team, I would like to thank the Central
Bank of Lebanon, the Board of Directors, and the whole community whose continuous
involvement and contribution are key to putting Lebanon on the global entrepreneurial map,”
added Abou Saab.
Maroun Chammas, Speed@BDD’s Chairman and co-founder highlighted, “The quality and
depth of startups is clearly getting better, cycle after cycle. The ecosystem is maturing fast and
the early signs of big successes are showing up. We are very positive and hopeful about the
future after a short time since the issuance of Circular 331. Imagine what the future holds!”
During Demo Day II, seven startups pitched their businesses in front of a crowd of 200 investors
and key players in the startup ecosystem:
• Interior Adviser is an interior design web platform that allows users to browse for the
latest furniture trends and customize their space. Customers can find the designs they
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Beirut – Lebanon
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are looking for, ask for online professional advice, and locate the nearest providers of
their home furniture.
• Jellyfish is a user-friendly budgeting and expense-tracking tool that empowers nonprofit
organizations and startups to take control of their project’s financial milestones. It
involves the entire team and provides real-time data and reports to managers, donors,
and other stakeholders for data-driven decisions and maximum transparency.
• Monica is a mobile application that uses artificial intelligence to serve as your personal
assistant in trade shows, business conferences, and exhibitions. Monica helps:
attendees network easily and efficiently, exhibitors generate more leads and receive
attendees’ contact details, and organizers communicate with visitors and stay on top of
their show.
• SQWIRL is an on-demand delivery service application. It allows individuals and
companies to order a carrier to pick up and deliver various types and sizes of packages
from and to a specific destination. The service guarantees a pick-up time of up to 20
minutes and offers real-time tracking until drop-off.
• Synkers is a mobile platform that instantaneously connects students seeking help to
private tutors. Parents, high school and university students can find and book a qualified
tutor in less than 30 seconds based on their preferences (price, rating, location, etc.).
Tutors will have access to a large network of students and can manage their bookings
through the platform.
• topShou is a community-driven fashion discovery platform. Users get the opportunity to
inspire, get inspired, and seek the community’s advice on what to wear. They can also
discover what to purchase in order to complete their trendy looks. The platform
includes professional fashion experts and actual brands to offer an exclusive experience.
• Vision in Motion offers an advanced software-based solution that allows businesses to
monitor, track, and analyze their customers’ behavioral patterns. The software is
implemented through image processing and computer vision technology using securitycamera
streams within shops, malls, or venues.
During the event, Abou Saab announced that three startups will get to experience the “LebNet
Ignite powered by Blackbox Connect” acceleration and mentorship program. Even though the
accelerator usually sponsors up to two startups per batch, the quality of Batch II entrepreneurs
was exceptional. Jellyfish, Synkers, and Vision in Motion will be fully sponsored by Speed@BDD
to get immersed in the Silicon Valley ecosystem for two weeks in August.
Speed@BDD has already started accepting applications for its third batch, which is due to start
in September 2016. The acceleration program welcomes startups at the Idea or Minimum
Viable Product stages, willing to commit to the three-month acceleration in Lebanon.
The application deadline is July 20, 2016 and the full details can be found on Speed@BDD’s website:
www.speedlebanon.com.
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Beirut – Lebanon
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