Beirut, January 25, 2025 – That Saturday, Lebanon’s brightest young minds came together to present groundbreaking solutions at the GIL National Startup Competition, organized by Berytech. Under UNICEF’s Generation of Innovation Leaders (GIL) program, the event championed creativity, ingenuity, and bold thinking.
Funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, ANDAN, PETEX, GenU and Michel Khalaf, and implemented by a network of local partners (Berytech, NAWAYA, INJAZ, Rural Entrepreneurs, the Lebanese University, DOT, Akkar Network for Development, SE Factory, LOST, Mouvement Social and UNRWA), the GIL program empowers youth in Lebanon, particularly in rural areas, with technical training, soft skills, business workshops, and access to digital fabrication tools and learning opportunities. Since its launch, the program has provided more than 50,000 young innovators nationwide with the knowledge and resources to shape a brighter future.
Resilience Meets Ingenuity: Lebanon’s Youth Rise to the Challenge
The competition reflected the perseverance of Lebanon’s youth, who overcame significant challenges over the past year, including the hardships of war, remote work, and limited personal resources.
“Despite all the challenges, we at Berytech remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering you, Lebanon’s youth,” said Carla Saba, Deputy General Manager at Berytech. “You are the best proof that we are not defined by the struggles we face, but rather by how we choose to respond to them. You, GIL Youth, are rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a changemaker in Lebanon”.
Showcasing Lebanon’s Brightest Minds
With over 150 applications, the competition brought together 20 exceptional startups, each embodying the problem-fit solutions which the GIL program strives to foster. Split into two tracks – the Innovation Track for multi-sector innovations and the Digital Fabrication Track for prototypes, hardware, and equipment – these young entrepreneurs captivated both the jury and audience with their ideas.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in focused mentorship sessions, expertly tailored to address their specific needs and business ideas, before pitching their solutions to a panel of expert jury members in the afternoon. The winners reflected the diversity and potential of Lebanon’s youth:
- Digital Fabrication Track:
- 1st place: FireBot – An autonomous robot offering life-saving fire detection and suppression for small businesses and homes.
- 2nd place: PawPal – An AI-powered robotic pet care companion.
- 3rd place: Salamati – A smart medical device connecting caregivers and medical doctors to patients for real-time health monitoring.
- Innovation Track:
- 1st place: Loghati – Making Arabic learning more engaging and accessible for children.
- 2nd place: The Brick Talk – Using Augmented Reality to bring LEGO creations to life.
- 3rd place: EcoGlow – Offering eco-friendly skincare products.
“The solutions we saw today are more than promising; they’re transformative,” remarked Alissar El Khoury, one of the mentors present. “These young innovators are addressing real societal needs with creativity and resourcefulness. It’s inspiring to witness such work in action.”
Building a Legacy of Innovation and Impact
In 2024, the GIL program left a lasting impact on youth across Lebanon. It empowered 1,500 young people with foundational digital skills, trained 768 in design thinking, and equipped 402 with business development knowledge. These efforts have supported the incubation of 120 small businesses and enabled 214 youth to enter the workforce, solidifying GIL’s role as a transformative initiative.
Additionally, 2024 marked a significant milestone with the launch of the fabrication labs (FabLabs) at the Lebanese University –North (Tripoli, Quobbeh) and South (Nabatiyeh) campuses – and the Sibline Training Center managed by UNRWA in the Chouf area. These labs provide tools and resources to transform innovative ideas into impactful solutions.
A Reflection on Impact and Potential
The GIL National Startup Competition highlighted not only the impressive talent of Lebanon’s youth but also their potential to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Akhil Iyer, UNICEF’s Representative in Lebanon, stated during his address:
“Dear young people, today’s event is all about you, because you are the future, you are the pioneers of change, and each of you has turned obstacles into opportunities. Your experiences, the lessons you’ve learned shape our collective future, and you are the solution to today’s challenges.”
Jan Jaap SAS, First Secretary to the Embassy of the Netherlands in Lebanon, added:
“For those who might not win today, there are a couple of things that you have already won. Overcoming all kinds of challenges is part of something that you can take with you. Today’s experience is also about meeting new people, expanding your network, getting new, fresh ideas, and that is also something you can take with you. Finally, the fact that you’re here today, it means you’re in the top of Lebanon’s youth.”
What’s Next?
The GIL program is set to build on the momentum of this year’s competition by continuing to equip youth across Lebanon with the skills and tools they need to further support their ideas and nurture their business ventures.
Discover how you can be part of this transformative initiative. Learn more about the GIL program and upcoming opportunities by visiting: https://berytech.org/programs/gil-program/.
