After four months of intensive work filled with challenges and triumphs, Berytech wrapped the second phase for the teams enrolled in its 3-phase Cleanergy Accelerator Program.
During that time the teams focused on planning, developing, and deploying their solution. The Berytech experts and team focused on helping the startups build a minimum viable product and test it with early adopters. Founders learned how to pitch for a general audience and investors. They also learned how to prioritize and choose strategic markets in the years forward.
The challenges of the accelerator and the hurdles of the last year did not stop the ambitious and determined entrepreneurs from participating in different startup competitions in the ecosystem and reaping several awards worth $180,000: Cleanergy Accelerator Startups Shine In The Ecosystem
Phase 3 – Growth Phase
At the end of this Acceleration Phase for this first batch of the Cleanergy Program, teams who proved financial viability, proved their ability to deliver their product to market, and showed their potential to build a sustainable business were shortlisted to join the third and last phase of the program. In addition to the $20,000 in matching capital set for this phase to test and validate solutions, Berytech will be supporting each startup in optimizing its product and completing a comprehensive business plan.
In this phase, Berytech will allow startups to connect with stakeholders essential for their ventures – partners, buyers, mentors – while also opening the chance to join an immersive experience with YES! Delft, a leading tech incubator in Europe.
The Shortlisted Startups
The solutions shortlisted for Phase 3 have innovated clean solutions in energy, waste, and transportation. Here’s the complete list:
- BIOwayste – a decentralized enclosed system that allows the on-site conversion of organic waste into biogas and biofertilizer through a simple and natural bio-degradation process.
- DIWAMA – utilizing digital technologies to disrupt the waste management industry by developing a computer vision software for waste detection and analysis.
- Garbaliser – a startup working on converting household food waste to natural gas and fertilizer.
- GoParkly – a mobile app that guides drivers to the nearest available parking spot.
- Hadeer – an online platform aiming to revolutionize the transportation sector by providing a safer, more accessible, and more reliable solution for both bus passengers and drivers.
- Nadeera – a startup working to enable sustainable solid waste management through an integrated, inclusive, and tech-enabled approach.
- Plastc Lab – a startup working on recycling plastic to produce sell-able products.
- Reborn – a startup working on a solution for the inefficient usage of resources in manufacturing fabrics and clothes.
Phase 2 – Building an MVP
The recently wrapped second phase delivered a mix of workshops and follow-up clinics to the teams to support them in developing the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and test it with early adopters.
For the past four months, the program has focused on operations, product development, business modeling, and go-to-market. Experts follow up and advise startups on how to build and launch an MVP. Founders learn about product-market fit, the lean startup methodology, how to communicate to the right audience, and how to develop a sustainable financial structure to secure the stability and growth of the business.
Workshops covered the legal steps required to be taken by a startup and the importance of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and various concepts related to IPR (Intellectual Property Rights). They tapped into sales and marketing tools and strategies and strategic pricing. Founders learned to read income statements and balance sheets and the different types of startup financing.
One-on-one clinics with industry experts focused on legal agreements, Intellectual property strategies, sales, commercial approaches, branding, social media, pitching, and the different routes a startup can take to finance its operations and drive growth.
About Cleanergy Program
Berytech is catalyzing cleantech innovations through a yearly three-phase program that allows cleantech entrepreneurs grow their startup from an idea into a scalable business. With funding and support from the Kingdom of The Netherlands, Berytech designed and developed the Cleanergy Program to make sure Lebanon has the most competitive companies innovating in clean technology. Learn more about the Cleanergy Program.
