AKSOB’s new platform bridges academic innovation with real-world venture building.
LAU’s Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) has launched the SYMZ CAPITAL Venture Lab Ignition Program – Powered by AKSOB, a six-week pre-incubation program designed to transform student and alumni ideas into validated, investor-ready ventures.
Open to LAU students and alumni from all schools, as well as non-LAU-affiliated participants, the program represents a major step forward in advancing experiential learning and entrepreneurship across the university. By combining academic rigor with hands-on venture development, the initiative positions AKSOB as a regional leader in practice-oriented entrepreneurship education.
At its core, the program serves as a structured pathway from idea to execution, equipping participants with the mindset, tools, and support needed to build ventures that are both market-relevant and scalable.
“This program reflects our commitment to bridging education with impact,” said Dean Dima Jamali. “We are creating a space where students and alumni can move beyond theory to actively develop solutions that respond to real-world challenges, while engaging with industry and innovation ecosystems.”
AKSOB collaborator SYMZ CAPITAL is a venture studio and accelerator that brings deep expertise in venture building, mentorship, and investment. Through this partnership with LAU, participants gain access to real market insights, investor networks, and hands-on guidance throughout their venture journey.
“Entrepreneurship is not just about ideas, but also involves disciplined execution and long-term value creation,” explained Michel Bayoud, CEO of SYMZ CAPITAL. “Through our partnership with LAU, we aim to identify and support founders who are ready to build ventures grounded in market reality and scalable impact.”
With the aim of high impact built into its design, the program integrates design thinking, market validation, financial planning, and go-to-market strategy into a structured curriculum delivered by subject-matter experts. Participants progress through nine modules, culminating in a capstone demo where they present their ventures to a panel of experts, industry leaders, and investors.
A key differentiator of the SYMZ CAPITAL Venture Lab Ignition Program – Powered by AKSOB is its strong commercial orientation. By incorporating real-world problem sourcing, mentorship from industry experts, and direct exposure to investors, it ensures that ventures are developed with immediate market relevance.
It also reflects LAU’s commitment to innovation and future-ready learning. Participants are introduced to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and are guided in leveraging these tools to enhance their ventures. At the same time, sustainability is embedded across the program, encouraging responsible innovation aligned with global development priorities.
Beyond the classroom, the program includes a progressive Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) Competition, where LAU students showcase their ventures and gain visibility within a broader ecosystem of investors, mentors, and industry stakeholders. The next AKSOB I&E Competition, titled The SYMZ Capital Venture Forge Challenge – Powered by AKSOB, is scheduled to conclude on May 15, 2026, with the SYMZ CAPITAL Venture Lab Ignition Program set to begin on the 18th of May, 2026.
Winners of the 2026 SYMZ Capital Venture Forge Challenge – Powered by AKSOB Competition, along with selected participants, will have the opportunity to join the SYMZ CAPITAL Venture Lab Ignition Program, a six-week, non-credit pre-incubation program that further equips LAU students and alumni from all schools with the mindset and tools to transform innovative ideas into validated, investor-ready startups.
Top-performing teams from both activities will gain access to funding opportunities, including prototype grants and micro-seed investment, supporting their transition toward incubation and scaling. Fully funded participation is also available for selected teams, reinforcing the program’s commitment to accessibility and impact. Mentorship, funding pathways, and ecosystem access will provide a strong platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop, test, and launch their ventures.
Through this platform, LAU and SYMZ CAPITAL hope to redefine how entrepreneurship is taught and experienced, where students and alumni are empowered to become leaders who will go on to create meaningful, scalable impact.
Submissions to the SYMZ CAPITAL Venture Lab Ignition Program – Powered by AKSOB Program can be made through this link.
Application deadline: May 15, 2026.