Berytech concluded its latest batch of the Agrytech Accelerator Program special edition by hosting a Demo Session for the six graduated startups at the Agri-food Innovation Days (AFID) 2023.
In the past six months, these innovative entrepreneurs have received different types of support, from business coaching, prototype validation, soft landing and immersion trips to the Netherlands, and more. In return, the startups showcased their impressive progress throughout the different phases of the program and presented their solutions on stage that addressed various aspects of the agri-food sector, including farming, food, crop optimization, import substitution, packaging innovation, and product shelf-life improvement.
With the support of The Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Lebanon, the recent special edition batch of the Agrytech Accelerator Program supported the early-stage startups and SMEs that had already validated their solutions and exhibited remarkable innovation and scalability potential within the agri-food sector. With the program’s guidance, these selected ventures received tailored assistance to further develop their solutions and enhance their prospects for success in the market.
The startups that participated in the Demo Sessions on stage at the Agri-food Innovation Days 2023 were:
Brisky: A startup developing a line of functional snacks made from dehydrated fruits and vegetable blends, using new and innovative drying technology that preserves 97% of nutrients, flavor and color. Brisky is committed to sourcing high-quality products from sustainable agriculture from local farmers struggling to market their excess production.
“Through this program, we hoped to gain access to funding, validate our concept, and reach an initial MVP that could be tested by early adopters. We’re proud to say, the support that the program provided paired with hard work and constant iteration, we were able to build business collaborations, establishing strong connections with key players in the industry, purchasing all needed appliances and tools for our first production line, acquiring precise knowledge on how to validate any idea and mitigate risks, in addition to much more.”
Sirene Radwan, Co-founder of Brisky
Kenza Kitchen: A startup working on creating vegetable-flavored wraps using local organic or natural vegetables and fruits. The wraps cater to different health market segments at an affordable price point, overcoming dependency on imported products. The Kenza Veggie Wraps serve as bread replacement made entirely of dehydrated vegetables and flaxseed without any wheat or grains with a one-year shelf life without refrigeration.
“Thanks to Berytech’s support, I was able to translate my innovation into a product and service. And with their mentorship I gained the managerial competence that was needed to identify opportunities and go for them locally and internationally.”
Randa Chlala, Co-founder of Kenza Kitchen
Whitelogs: A startup promoting mushroom cultivation by providing products and services for mushroom farmers, cultivators and consumers. Some of these services include compost, spawn, farm setup, and technical assistance.
“Through the program, we were able to equip a mushroom production lab, a small fruiting room for research and development, and a composting yard with a production capacity of 9 tons of mushroom compost per month.”
Najib Yazbeck, co-founder of Whitelogs
Legendairy: A startup working on plant-based dairy alternative produce that makes plant-based dairy accessible, affordable, and optimal for consumers. Legendairy products offer a highly nutritious and affordable plant-based alternative for yogurt, processing raw materials uniquely by fermenting them, setting this product apart from commercial plant-based products.
“Throughout its journey in the Agrytech program, Legendairy has had the honor of establishing valuable connections with entities and professionals in the Netherlands, and through this opportunity it has recognized the importance of collaborating with like-minded partners.”
Charbel Ghanem, co-founder of Legendairy
Little Melly: A startup working on producing freshly made and additive-free baby food making fresh and healthy baby food accessible to today’s busy yet health-conscious parents. Little Melly caters to babies via subscription models and retail sales, freshly cooked each week, and packaged using healthy processes.
“During my journey with Berytech, I learned that mentorship is critical to a startup’s success. Through the Agrytech Accelerator Program, we were confident that we would be surrounded by exceptional talent and mentors who would guide our strategic thinking and challenge our every move. The financial grants also helped us cover the cash gaps and ensured a smoother rise to success. Collectively, the Agrytech Program ensured that we were making the right investments for our business.”
Jennifer Mansour, co-founder of Little Melly
REMER (Rebalance Effective Microorganisms for Environment Restauration): A startup that mixed a culture of naturally occurring beneficial organisms that can be applied as soil inoculants. Through the use of REMER, the startup directs farmers toward sustainable and ecological agriculture.
“The Agrytech Accelerator program has helped us, not only financially, but also by allowing us to grow both personally and professionally. The work that is being done with us and our colleagues in other startups highlights the importance of organizations like Berytech during the absence of a real government in Lebanon and reminds us that we are not alone in this fight.
The greatest achievement is how we were able to successfully develop REMER’s biostimulant product, which has helped improve agricultural yields and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.”
Margot Mrad, Co-founder of REMER
While the Agrytech graduates concluded their journey in this batch of the Agrytech Accelerator Program, Berytech is still committed to supporting them by offering continuous support through its Alumni Program, ensuring ongoing guidance for their entrepreneurial journey. Berytech remains committed to nurturing these startups as they navigate the agri-food industry.
About Agrytech
Berytech designed and developed the Agrytech Accelerator Program to make sure Lebanon has the most competitive companies that are sourcing, solving, growing and transforming food, as well as feeding the world from Lebanon. The Agrytech Accelerator Program launched by Berytech and funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lebanon to enable the Lebanese entrepreneurial ecosystem and stimulate innovation and startup creation in the agriculture, food, and clean technology sectors.
Berytech supports innovations across these sectors by offering startups the resources, knowledge, support, and funding worth around $100K, necessary to scale their ideas and grow them to penetrate international markets.
