Beirut, 20/02/2018 – For the ninth year in a row, ArabNet Beirut – the most influential digital conference in the Levant – is gathering Lebanon’s largest corporations, 90+ speakers, 40+ exhibitors, 1800+ attendees and numerous key talks and sessions to to discuss the latest trends in the digital sector, as well as the opportunities available for companies working in that space.
The conference will be held under the High Patronage of His Excellency The President of the Republic of Lebanon General Michel AOUN and in collaboration with Banque du Liban. Sponsors include Beirut Digital District (BDD), DMS, Creditbank, LBCI, Touch, Bank Audi, Alfa and BLOMINVEST Bank. The event will take place at Hilton Habtoor Hotel, on February 20-21-22. The opening ceremony will be held on the morning of the 21st at 9:00 am, with the participation of H.E. Mr. Riad Salameh, the governor of Lebanon’s central bank, Banque Du Liban (BDL).
ArabNet will include three forums: Digital Transformation, Adtech and Innovation and Investment. These forums will feature topics related to digital business, media and entrepreneurship, with insights on the latest trends by some of today’s top digital leaders, regionally and internationally. The CEO series will host some of the best professionals in the industry such as Christine Assouad, CEO of Dunkin Donuts Lebanon and Semsom.
In its aim to support start-ups with feasible projects and business models, the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) is also introducing its Business Support Unit (BSU) during the event. Also, MIC Ventures, a Telco fund to invest in ICT startups, will reveal more details of their fund at ArabNet Beirut.
Moreover, the event will feature a workshop track on advertising disruption entitled “AdPulse”, in collaboration with ArabAd, focusing on re-inventing the ad business. It will host top leaders in the sector such as Moussa Rifai, owner of Al Rifai Roastery, who will be part of the CEO Panel taking place at AdPulse.
The conference will also host a Banking Innovation Day, which will bring together more than 100 senior banking executives from 15 banks across Lebanon. They will discuss a series of topics from smart branches to mobile payments.
Beyond the main tracks of the event, ArabNet Beirut 2018 will feature Founders Day, previously “Prototype Day”, dedicated to entrepreneurs and innovators. Once again, the conference will hold its signature competitions for innovative ideas (Ideathon), talented startups (Startup Battle) and marketers (Creative Combat), while facilitating access to capital and customers by setting entrepreneurs up with 1-on-1 meetings with business leaders and investors in The MatchUp. Finally, the winners from the Startup Battle in Beirut this year will have the chance to compete at the regional level against the best startups from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco and the UAE in the ArabNet Startup Championship in Dubai in April.
About ArabNet
ArabNet is the hub for Arab digital professionals and entrepreneurs, creating online and offline platforms for them to connect and learn. ArabNet’s vision is to grow the web and mobile sectors in the Arab region. It also aims to build business bridges across the MENA, stimulate the growth of the Arab knowledge economy, and support the creation of new businesses and job opportunities for youth through conferences, partnerships, and competitions.