Beirut, Lebanon, July 14, 2014:In the context of the 3rd edition of the “Intel Berytech Innovation Challenge” (IBIC), leading to Intel Business Challenge Middle-East & North-Africa, Intel and Berytech are happy to announce the finalists winning technology entrepreneurs who will represent Lebanon in the regional final in Bahrein scheduled on September 1st– 3rdas part of Intel Global Challenge in Berkeley.
Founded in 2005 as collaboration between UC Berkeley and Intel, Intel Global Challenge is the most recognized technology business plan competition that encourages emerging entrepreneurs and rewards innovative ideas that have potential to become a new business or even a new industry.
Berytech partnered with Intel in 2011, joining forces with prestigious network of partners in education and entrepreneurship, from across the Middle-East, opening up the challenge track for Lebanese aspiring entrepreneurs.
More than 75 applicants applied for challenge and 2 finalists got the chance to receive the local awards presenting pioneer ideas:
1st prize: ShopBuilder, an online platform that allows merchants to build their own e-commerce website, to promote and sell their products and services in a very efficient way.
2nd prize: Ashabona, a platform offering the latest development in modern technology to create adapted games and content for education, targeting Arabic language, engaging with students through an interactive and fun teaching process.
Winners will receive a wide array of support to startup their businesses in Berytech incubator including training, capacity building and support in accessing expert networks and funds.
Commenting on the jury ceremony, Mr. Ferruh Gurtas Corporate Affairs Director for META and representing Intel stated: “Entrepreneurship coupled with innovation has the potential to transform economies and improve people’s lives around the world as well as to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness. As a private sector company, we believe our role is to create and invest in programs for skills development; provide technology and resources in order to transform ideas into solutions; and build ecosystem and partnerships. This has been our long term strategy and actually this year is the 10th year anniversary of our Intel Innovation Initiative for Middle East. We are proud to collaborate with Berytech in Lebanon in order to enable individuals to build successful businesses that drive innovation, create employment, accelerate economic growth and have a positive impact on society.”
“IBIC is in line with Intel and Berytech mission to inspire local innovation and competitiveness through education and entrepreneurship programs, bringing both institutions’ networks and expertise for the benefit of entrepreneurs”, said Dr. Nicolas Rouhana, executive director of Berytech. “As always, it is a real challenge to pick winners, as all participants showed a great deal of motivation and passion”, he added.