Word from the chairman

I have been lucky to witness firsthand the rise and success of Lebanese entrepreneurship and this booming ecosystem over the past fifteen years. 

Despite years of conflict which have shattered our country and its economy, history has not failed to capture the resilient spirit of the Lebanese, who have transformed their challenges through innovative strides in business. This strong entrepreneurship spirit has been essential to surviving repeated economic crises, helping limit the Lebanese brain drain, creating jobs and contributing to the development and rise of various sectors particularly in Technology.

In response to this innate entrepreneurial drive in the Lebanese people, support structures started rising in the early 2000s, to strengthen the entrepreneurial scene and build an adequate environment in Lebanon for the support of startup creation. This began with the founding of Berytech, developed by visionaries at the Saint-Joseph University, to be the first technology pole in Lebanon and the region that provides a conducive environment for the creation and development of Lebanese startups and SMEs.

Since its inception in 2002, Berytech’s model has proven successful, and thanks to our sound corporate governance that respects international standards, Lebanese, Europeans and Americans trust us with their funding and investments.

It is Lebanese entrepreneurial success stories that have attracted international donors, contributing to the growth of the ecosystem through key initiatives, access to networks, grants and capacity building programs. This in turn has led to the rise of new local support partners, structures, funds and networks, supporting the journey of Lebanese entrepreneurs.

But there are sceptics. Those who say the region and the country are going through difficult times and that Lebanese internal politics will always divide us. I tell them with confidence that Lebanon’s ingenuity and innovation will always unite us in a common goal to see us succeed locally, regionally and globally. 

Finally, despite all the factors working against Lebanon’s progress, it is the entrepreneurial ecosystem, that has remolded and will continue to remold the Lebanese economy.

Maroun N. Chammas

Chairman and CEO, Berytech