Berytech profiles the six teams shortlisted to join the third edition of the ‘Innovation Factory: From Research to Market 2020’.
Innovation Factory is a program allowing researchers and novel startups to develop their innovation in any sector into commercially viable products and applications.
The program, based on technology transfer, gives participants international exposure with access to local and global markets, B2B networks, and a pool of seasoned experts, mentors, and investors. It is funded by the European Union under THE NEXT SOCIETY and organized in Lebanon by Berytech and Anima Investment Network.
The Six Selected Teams
Applicants were assessed based on the strength of the application, including technology innovation, the economic viability of the project, and the team expertise and motivation. Berytech partnered with Saba & Co. Intellectual Property for the due diligence of the applications to the Innovation Factory Program.
Natural starter cultures production: Dr. Emilio Mouannes and Dr. Marc Bou Zeidan from USEK
As researchers at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, they have been conducting research in collaboration with the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), local Food SMEs and the Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA) in France to develop and introduce local starter cultures to local food industries.
The startup will constitute a pioneering platform in Lebanon and the region for natural starter cultures production; it will produce and commercialize starter cultures for food industries and MSMEs, mainly in baking and dairy.
Renewable Energy Applications in Lebanon: Mr. Salam Eid, Dr. Marwan Brouche, Dr. Jad Dakroub, Dr. Chawki Lahoud, and Ms. Christie Lahoud from Saint Joseph University (ESIB)
Heating and cooling are the main components of energy consumption in buildings all around the world, the goal is to lower this consumption by renewable energy use. For this purpose, they are conducting research concerning the integration of phase change materials (PCM) into the building’s envelope in Lebanon during its construction. PCM integration will lead to a decrease in the heating and cooling loads, therefore a positive impact on the energy bill and polluting emissions.
BIOwayste: Ms. Reine Metlej and Dr. Yasmine Jabali from The University of Balamand
BIOwayste offers a green alternative to benefit from food waste and convert it into renewable resources. BIOwayste is an intelligent enclosed system in which the organic waste will breakdown, through bacterial decomposition, in the absence of oxygen, and produce Biogas and Biofertilizer. The generated biogas can be used to produce electricity and heat and can be used as a substitute for natural gas.
Sun Motion: Mr. Ziad Al-Kurdi and Mr. Loai Srouji from Rafik Hariri University
Paramedics inside the ambulance face several risks, one of which is the way they sit inside the ambulance while it is moving.
When applying CPR or any other process that needs accuracy and high concentration, the paramedics need to be fixed well in a specific position that allows them to do their job without the barriers that the ambulance will face (acceleration, deceleration, turning right-left or bumps).
So, the team is planning on placing a machine inside the ambulances that controls the body of the paramedics to let them do their work efficiently. It will have a specific mechanism to give the paramedic the stability in 3 dimensions, in the X for acceleration and deceleration, in the Y for the turning right and left, and in the Z for the bumps and the bad road conditions.
Petcrete: Mr. Ahmad Barazi from the American University of Beirut and Ms. Mariam Naja from Rafic Hariri University
The team is working on a sustainable fiber made from abundant PET plastic to reinforce concrete at a highly competitive cost with higher durability.
Triple P: Ms. Nour Ezzeddine, Ms. Maria Salha, and Dr. Youssef Abou Jawdeh from the American University of Beirut
The high use of pesticides and synthetic compounds for the control of pests in agriculture is reflected in the high cost of protection and reduced export of products. The team is working on mass-produced natural enemies that control various agricultural pests, these biological agents are locally collected and are adapted to our climatic conditions. These agents can be used by farmers on vegetable crops and flowers under small scale and large small greenhouses.
Next Step
The six selected teams will go through a 4-day virtual intensive bootcamp starting on May 19, 2020 then they will be connected with industry players, experts, and investors to get feedback and collaboration opportunities for their projects through the matchmaking meetings in June. One team will be selected to proceed with the incubation phase to develop the business plan and be ready to meet with potential investors. Learn more about the Innovation Factory Program.
Berytech is the official partner of THE NEXT SOCIETY in Lebanon. THE NEXT SOCIETY is an open community of changemakers, entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, NGOs, public and private innovation, research and economic development hubs from Europe and 7 Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia.
It aims at mobilizing, promoting and reinforcing innovation ecosystems and economic development in the MENA region. To reach these goals, THE NEXT SOCIETY launched a four-year action plan (2017-2020), co-funded by the EU up to 90% for a global amount of EUR 7.8 million budget. It supports the emergence of talents and innovative leaders who will drive the next trends and usages by targeting startups, clusters and technology transfer offices to accompany their development. www.thenextsociety.co
ANIMA Investment Network is an international economic development network that aims to work to the promotion and development of the Mediterranean. The ANIMA network brings together 80 members from 18 countries of the Euro-Mediterranean area, including national and regional investment promotion and economic development agencies, business federations, innovation centres, international investors and research institutes. ANIMA’s objective is to contribute to the continued improvement of the business and investment climate, as well as encourage shared and sustainable economic development in the Mediterranean. To know more about ANIMA Investment Network, please visit www.anima.coop.
