The Hyundai Start-Up Competition

Beirut, July 25th- After the great success in 2015, Century Motor Company (CMC) announces the return of the first of its kind Hyundai Start-up Competition for the second consecutive year, in collaboration with Speed Lebanon and LBCI. The yearly competition reflects Hyundai’s motto “New thinking. New possibilities.” and aims to reward innovation in the tech and digital sectors and provide guidance and endless possibilities for opportunistic Lebanese innovators, entrepreneurs and university students. The 2016 Hyundai Start-up Competition was launched during a press conference held on Tuesday, July 26th at the Hyundai Headquarters on Zalka Highway, in the presence of prominent business leaders and media representatives. 25 of the submitted applications will be selected to undergo training under a mentorship program divided into 6 workshops and will also receive coverage on Speed Lebanon’s digital platforms. In each episode of the “Hyundai Start-up Competition” show, 5 out of these 25 contestants will present their ideas in front of a jury of innovators and business leaders for a chance to win $10,000. The exclusive 5-episodes TV program will air on LBCI during October 2016, and will be the first in the Middle East to be dedicated for young Lebanese entrepreneurs and visionaries. The judging panel will consist of Mr. Nicolas Sehnaoui, former minister of telecommunications along with Mrs. Hala Fadel, starter of the telecom business software Booleo, Mr. Maroun Chammas, an entrepreneur with activities ranging from oil and gas to telecom and Mr. Walid Hanna, founder and managing partner of Middle East Venture Partners. During the event, Mr. Walid Rasamny, Chairman and CEO of CMC, stressed on the importance of forming a startup ecosystem to empower the entrepreneurial talent and creativity of the Lebanese youth to shape a better future for the whole country. Mr. Rasamny also reminded the crowd of the competition’s aim to support, promote, and reward local business ideas and young start-up companies. Stemming from last year’s success and the array of potential that was demonstrated by the participants, CMC decided to hold the competition annually, in the hopes of opening new horizons for the Lebanese youth.