SAFI PROJECT/

Benefit from the SAFI Project & Scale-up Your Agri-Food Innovation

Are you a company interested or working on innovative products or services that can substitute an imported product or has the potential to be exported? Then, apply to the Scaling-up Agri-Food Innovations Project and receive business and technical support to further develop your solution.

Applications are now closed.

The SAFI Project Details

The project aims to scale SMEs offering innovative products or services in agri-food or agriculture to reduce import dependency or have the potential of export and create jobs for vulnerable communities.

Up to three SMEs per cycle, will receive business and technical expertise, training and one-on-one sessions to improve their skills and further develop their products and services, and support to develop their scaling plan.

Business Support

Access to business support tailored to the needs of the ventures.

Technical Support

Access to technical support tailored to the needs of the ventures.

Financing

Access to up to USD 25K of in-kind grants (equipment locally available or sourced through a local agent or manufacturer).  

Network

Access to Berytech’s network of professionals, SMEs and members of QOOT Cluster working in the agri-food sector.

The Framework

Lebanon has been suffering from a continued currency devaluation since October 2019. The Lebanese Pound (LBP) has already lost 80% of its value. According to the Central Administration of Statistics (CAS), the price inflation of consumer goods reached 150.3% and the food price inflation index hit 228.6% between April 2020 and April 2021.

The main critical issue is translated in the country’s high dependency on imports, where 80% of its food needs are covered through imports. During the same phase of inflation, the salaries in LBP remained stable to some extent, which led the World Bank to anticipate that Lebanon is likely to witness an increase in poverty, unemployment and insecurity and that the impact will be felt most severely by the vulnerable segments of the population.

Furthermore, at a production level, producers and farmers selling locally are selling goods in LBP. The currency devaluation shifted the price of raw material and input supplies, therefore, increased the cost of goods drastically. In addition, the price increase of inputs is leading to a significant reduction in agriculture activities translating into a loss of income for a significant number of Lebanese. This will be reflected in a lower supply of agricultural produces and a higher price in the market.

Nonetheless, the agricultural sector has the growth potential and presents a socio-economic opportunity amid the current crisis to secure basic food needs, create jobs that secure livelihoods, and produce agri-food products that can compete internally and abroad, supporting economic development.

The SAFI project is developed with the mission to select and support up to three eligible SMEs per cycle, working on innovative products or services that can substitute an imported product, or have the potential of export and create jobs for vulnerable communities.

The Action

SAFI offers a comprehensive program that supports the growth up to three SMEs per cycle to scale up:

  • The Berytech team will assess and evaluate where each SME sits in its path for growth and then develop a roadmap journey for transformation to be used as a blueprint during the acceleration period of eight months.
  • The SMEs will benefit from business foundation programs as part of their capacity building tapping into Market Validation, Innovation & Impact, Business & Sustainable Model, and Outreach.
  • Each company will benefit from at least 24 hours of tailored one-on-one coaching from Berytech’s pool of experts to hone their skills, further develop their products and services or address internal challenges.
  • Berytech will facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships between the companies and agri-food businesses in Lebanon to further enhance their access to the market, along with access to funding.
  • Each company will have at least one senior business expert designated by Berytech who will monitor the progress and scaling progress. When the product is developed or ready to be scaled, the QOOT Cluster will have an advisory support role, connecting SMEs with outside agencies, providing expert guidance and access to expertise, labs and market space.
  • Based on their needs, the selected SMEs will receive up to $25,000 of in-kind support to provide further technical assistance, tools and equipment.

Eligibility

  • Companies working on innovative products or services that can substitute an imported product, or have the potential of export and create jobs for vulnerable communities.
  • Companies with access to market and a minimum viable product of the solution.
  • Companies with at least three staff members excluding the founder and legally registered.
  • Innovative companies with high growth potential.

Expected Results

The SAFI project will lead to the scaling up to three different agri-food/agriculture solutions, be it innovative products or services, that can substitute an imported product, have the potential of export and create jobs for vulnerable communities.

The Program's Timeline

Outreach

January – March 2022

Calling  companies interested to find a solution to one of the three challenges: 

  • Products or services that can substitute an imported product.
  • Products and services that have the potential to export.
  • Product and services that help create jobs for vulnerable communities.

    Revision of Concept Notes

    April 2022

    Ten companies will be selected to submit a more detailed application that covers the business plan, financials, bottle necks, expected impact, and the expected path to growth. Up to three companies will be selected and will be entitled to receive up to $25,000 each of in-kind grants and business support.

      Selection & Acceleration

      May 2022

      Up to three companies will benefit from eight-month incubation support from Berytech.

      Start your application

      Applications  are now closed.
      The deadline to apply is April 5, 2022.

      Need more info?

      If you have any questions about the SAFI Activity email us on community@berytech.org