On January 18 and 19, 2025, the Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) program hosted participants for a memorable weekend of learning, idea development, and growth. Returning for its 4th edition, the REAF Ideathon facilitated sustainable projects and business solutions in the sectors of agrifood, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, and waste management and valorization.
On day 1, the tone was set with an introductory presentation and opening remarks. Participants connected over an icebreaker and familiarized themselves with what became their entrepreneurial community for the next two days.
Following the introductions, workshops began, including an Ideation Workshop, a Lean Business Model Canvas Workshop, Pitch Deck Components and preparation sessions. Throughout the day, groups received mentoring and support on business and product development and refined their ideas.
“I would recommend the program to every innovative startup. It really helps clarify and identify the long-term vision. It gave us important pointers on how to pitch our idea to investors—from body language to categorizing ideas and proper planning for later stages.”
Tarek Yousef, Co-Founder of CERES S.A.R.L
Day 2 kicked off with pitching clinics, followed by a specialized workshop on mastering body language and public speaking. After lunch, startups had time to rehearse their pitches before submitting their final presentations.
“One component that made the program especially valuable for me is Public Speaking. It used to make me panic, but now I feel more confident and genuinely enjoyed it.”
Aya Masri, Co-Founder of SEED2See
Once submissions were complete, each startup pitched their idea to a panel of judges who evaluated them based on five key criteria. The jury included Berytech and GIZ staff members, community stakeholder representatives, as well as experts in the field. The panel selected 22 startups to advance to the next stage of the REAF program.
Meet the Winners
- Al AgroBot: Co-founded by Mohamad Ali Issa, Mohamad Nayef Issa, Boutros Gerges, and Hsayn Bourji, this startup introduces an AI-powered weed eliminator robot using laser technology for eco-friendly weed control.
- Argentum: Co-founded by Donia Bitar, Abir Bitar, and Daniel Fares, this startup produces silver jewelry and bars from recycled silver extracted from X-ray films.
- A’tiqa: Co-founded by Atika Sharkieh and Laila Taha, this startup provides sugar- and chemical-free products, empowering consumers to make mindful choices for health and the environment.
- Azolla: Co-founded by Hussein Chehade and Dima Oreiby, this startup cultivates Azolla, a fast-growing aquatic fern that naturally fertilizes soil, reduces synthetic fertilizer use, and supports eco-friendly agriculture.
- CERES S.A.R.L: Co-founded by Raafat Youssef, Tarek Youssef, Jalal Youssef, and Ramy Abou Faour, this startup produces high-quality olive oil and health byproducts, emphasizing permaculture and environmental stewardship.
- Ecobath: Co-founded by Ehab Bou Fakher and Janine Bou Fakher, this startup introduces an efficient bath water heater that saves energy by heating only the necessary amount of water.
- Floral Passion: Co-founded by Nada El Dirani, Rawan El Dirani, and Hawraa El Din in 2020, this nursery provides high-quality plants while promoting environmental sustainability.
- Green Fodder: Co-founded by Ayoub Nasr and Rawad El Chami, this startup cultivates high-quality indoor fodder for farms, ensuring year-round availability and reduced reliance on imports.
- LSDA: Co-founded by Samar, Ali, and Amer Al Zein, this digital platform connects Lebanon’s agricultural stakeholders, improving productivity, sustainability, and market access.
- Matariyat by BI Solutions House SARL: Co-founded by Samer Farhat, Noura Bzieh, and Ali Bzieh, this hydroponics solution integrates IoT and AI to optimize food production and energy efficiency.
- Meerath: Co-founded by Miryam and Pamela Bou Faysal, this sustainable chocolate brand incorporates locally sourced herbs, supporting rural farmers and Lebanese heritage.
- Micelio: Co-founded by Abir Chamandy, Medhat El Barbour, Nadine Zebiane, and Remi Bou Rcheid, this startup uses coffee waste to grow mushrooms, reducing environmental impact.
- Mighty Charge: Co-founded by Fady El Hajj and Michel Maalouf, this startup offers nutritious, convenient meal bags and bottled options designed for easy preparation and consumption.
- Asalatuna by Mounit Dalia: Co-founded by Dalia Ayache and Ihab Kanso, this digital marketplace preserves Lebanese mouneh traditions and supports rural women artisans.
- Moussa Mushrooms: Co-founded by Hussein Moussa, Mohammad Darwish, Ali Tohme, and Diana Akkach, this startup promotes local mushroom farming and production data optimization.
- Peace of Mind: Co-founded by Nour Rizk and Sami Bou Faysal, this startup offers handmade coffee-infused biscuits, blending traditional flavors with health-conscious ingredients.
- Ramzi’s Farm: Co-founded by Ramzi Noueihed, Jawad Noueihed, and Marwa Makarem, this snail farm supplies high-quality products to food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical markets.
- RAND – Pumdool: Co-founded by Tariq Gharzeddine, Sana Zaydan, Thea Gharzeddine, and Nina Zaydan, this startup produces nutritious gluten-free noodles made from pumpkins.
- SEED2See: Co-founded by Aya Masri and Faten Ghais, this startup preserves heirloom tomato seeds, promoting sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
- Slide: Co-founded by Khouloud Jamal and Imad Hamdan, this olive oil soap startup provides moisturizing and gentle cleansing, suitable for all skin types.
- Solmoon: Co-founded by Bilal Massoud and Sara Makarem, this startup transforms a quarry into a farm, educating children about circular economy and sustainability.
- Teeny by NEAT: Co-founded by Malk El Moussaoui, Fatima Sherry, and Hassan Hamdan, this startup offers freeze-dried baby meals, simplifying parenting with nutritious, convenient options.
Selected winners have now entered a 3-month pre-incubation phase at Berytech, receiving capacity building needed in their entrepreneurial journey, and a financial grant of up to USD 2,000 allowing them to implement what they have learned and further develop their ideas or prototypes.
About the REAF Ideathon
The REAF Ideathon – or Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food Program – is an event aimed at supporting the launch of startups and SMEs from different regions of Lebanon. Funded by The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with Berytech, the pioneer event strives to boost socio-economical resilience through mentorship, guidance, and financial support of different teams and entrepreneurs.
