The REAF Program is providing support to innovative startups and Lebanese youth. Through this initiative, REAF aims to strengthen businesses, enhance product viability, and foster socio-economic resilience in rural communities.
Applications for the REAF Batch 4 Ideathon are now closed.
Locations: South Mount Lebanon and Central and West Bekaa
Sectors: Agrifood, eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy
Locations: South Mount Lebanon and Central and West Bekaa and new locations in Hasbaya and Southern Baalbeck
Sectors: Agrifood, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, renewable energy, and waste management
The Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) program, led by Berytech, supports startups across four batches, fostering innovation in agrifood, eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, renewable energy, and waste management and valorization.
Each batch begins with a 2 to 3 days REAF Ideathon, followed by an 8-month Incubation Program designed in two phases. In Batches 1-3, 15 winning startups from the ideathons received the resources, knowledge, and funding necessary to scale their solutions and develop sustainable businesses. In Batch 4, 20 winning startups will similarly progress through the incubation phases, benefiting from REAF’s expanded capacity.
Startups along the rural economy value chain are supported at various stages, including agriculture production, distribution, marketing, retail, household consumption, manufacturing, and processing.
Selected startups gain access to tailored capacity-building activities, business development services, technical assistance, coaching, and in-kind grants, equipping them with essential tools to strengthen rural economies and create resilient, sustainable businesses.
Comprehensive Startup Support: Gain full assistance to build, grow, and launch your startup successfully.
REAF Ideathon: Strengthen your business model, receive dedicated support, and pitch your innovative solutions to a panel of expert judges.
Funding Opportunities: Access up to $8,500 in in-kind grants to advance your startup.
Business Coaching: Develop your venture through personalized capacity-building activities, business development services, and one-on-one coaching sessions.
Industry Networking: Connect with key stakeholders and companies in sustainable rural development, creating valuable links with industry leaders.
Prototyping Facilities: Utilize an electronics and hardware Fabrication Lab with technical support to bring your ideas to life.
Sectors: Projects in agrifood, eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy that have a direct socio-economic impact.
Areas: Must be operating in South Mount Lebanon or Central and West Bekaa, Hasbaya or Southern Baalbek.
Founders: At least two Lebanese co-founders aged between 18 and 35.
Applications are evaluated based on both business and technical aspects, with applicants assessed on their understanding of the problem, proposed solution, innovation, business viability, growth potential, and team strength.
Batches 1-3:
Batch 4:
Are working on projects in agrifood, circular economy, renewable and sustainable energy or waste management and valorization that have a direct socio-economic impact
Have at least two Lebanese co-founders aged between 18 and 35
Are operating in the South Mount Lebanon, Central and West Bekaa, or the Hasbaya or Southern Baalbek areas
Preferably with women and people with disabilities on the team
The applications are evaluated on business and technical aspects. The applicants are assessed on their understanding of the problem, their proposed solution, innovation, business viability, business growth potential, and team.
40 shortlisted applicants will join the REAF Ideathon, from which 22 startups will join the pre-incubation program, and 11 the final incubation stage.
The Batch 4 program kicks off with three Ideathons happening at different locations, the first in Southern Baalbeck, the second in Hasbaya, and the final REAF Ideathon in West Beqaa to pick the top 22 winners for the subsequent incubation stages of the program.
Development & Execution: The 10 selected startups will focus on building their minimum viable product (MVP), with an emphasis on operations, product development, business modeling, and go-to-market strategies.
Learning Outcomes: Founders will gain insights into achieving product-market fit, applying the lean startup methodology, targeting the right audience, and establishing a sustainable financial structure for business stability and growth.
If you have any questions or need information email us
