The Cleanergy Program Graduates Its Second Batch of Startups Innovating in Clean Technology

Group Photo - GrID 2022 - 1200 x 628
We believe that with the size of Lebanon, we could definitely create solutions that are not only adapted to Lebanon but could scale to different markets.

Six startups took the stage at the Green Innovation Days 2022 to pitch the solutions they had developed throughout the three phases of the Cleanergy Accelerator Program. The pitching startups demonstrated innovations in energy, waste, recycling, and renewables in the cleantech sectors which they were able to validate and develop despite the multiple challenges brought forward by the socio-economic crises.

Completing the Cleanergy Accelerator Program

During the initial phase of the program, 18 teams accessed the program and went through a two-month support cycle in which they validated their solution both technically and commercially and built their prototypes. Each team attended a design sprint and workshops and received one-on-one consultations with business advisers, field specialists, and technological experts. The Validation Phase concluded with an expert jury picking the top 11 teams 10 of which moved on to the 4-month Acceleration Phase.

The shortlisted startups focused on verifying their concept, developing their minimal viable product during the second phase (MVP), and piloting their solution. The teams got access to the Berytech Fab Lab, as well as early adopters, specialists, and product developers, who assisted them in testing and refining their products while developing their MVP. The teams were also able to develop their businesses in terms of finance, marketing, management, and operations. At the end of the Acceleration Phase, an expert panel chose the top seven businesses six of which proceeded to the Incubation Phase for a period of five months.

The six startups received assistance in go-to-market, business planning, intellectual property, legal, investment readiness, and market access during the Cleantech Accelerator’s final phase.

“We believe that with the size of Lebanon, we could definitely create solutions that are not only adapted to Lebanon but could scale to different markets. Lebanese youth and Lebanese women who are part of this program are working hard to identify these problems, look at solutions that would meet the market needs and consumer needs, and build solutions that are scalable and profitable solving not only the economical size of the model but the societal and the environmental ones,” explains Ramy Boujawdeh, COO of Berytech.

Meet the startups

InCharge

InCharge is a startup working to reduce the number of wasted lead-acid batteries by providing inspection and maintenance services for used lead-acid batteries. Mariam Naja, Co-founder of InCharge, stated: “When we joined the Cleanergy program, InCharge was just an idea. We were able to validate a new technique to regenerate lead acid batteries and to create a unique business model to reach out to our customers. Our next milestones are to increase our capacity to reach 500 batteries/month and to provide a new customized modular battery with replaceable cells.”

Learn more about InCharge here.

Innergy Solutions

Innergy Solutions is a startup that develops innovative sustainable construction materials with the main goal of enhancing the thermal comfort of the building while also reducing its electrical consumption. Through Cleanergy, they developed a construction block that can reduce energy consumption in buildings by up to 40%.  Dalia Falah, Product Coordinator at Innergy Solutions, stated: “We wanted to elevate our idea from just an idea into a startup business, so we applied to the Cleanergy program.”

Learn more about Innergy Solutions here.

Drive Throw by Lebanon Waste Management

Lebanon Waste Management shred, compact, crush and sort dry solid waste and then sell them to local manufacturers to use them as raw material. Through Cleanergy, they launched the Drive Throw initiative: decentralized drive-through drop-off stations for recyclables to encourage the collection of sorted waste from households and businesses. Tereza Farah, COO of Lebanon Waste Management, stated: “LMW was able to establish solid foundations with a distinct framework to its purpose, vision, and goals with the aid of the Cleanergy program. As a result of the sessions and clinics, my business spirit has risen tremendously. LMW played an instrumental in getting me here, and Berytech assisted me in developing my entrepreneurism passion.”

Learn more about Lebanon Waste Management here.

Partners With Sun

Partners with Sun is a startup that developed an innovative heat exchange mechanism to transform a standard baker’s oven into a solar convection oven by connecting it to industrial solar panels. Hitaf Ghazal, Co-Founder of Partners with Sun, stated: “We accelerated our business and communication skills to a much higher and more professional level. We now have more organized and accurate plans with a market focus and clear business pathways.”

Learn more about Partners with Sun here.

ReFuse

ReFuse works with underserved communities enabling them to sort recyclables and get rewarded for it. With Cleanergy, they started out with one collection point, grew to two, and are now setting up their third. Gugliemo Mazza, Co-Founder of ReFuse, stated: “Start fast, don’t wait, don’t think too much just start and learn from the mistakes you will make on the way.”

Learn more about ReFuse here.

ReGen-R8

ReGen-R8 aims to re-energize Lebanon & the MENA region by making access to renewable energy sources a hassle-free and affordable reality. They provide farmers with a subscription-based on-demand modular solar energy system to help them cut their energy costs for irrigation. Hasan Jaafar, Co-Founder of ReGen-R8, stated: “The program helped us to validate our idea, build our MVP, shift from an idea stage to a real product available in the market, learn how to scale our startup, participated in the two trips to the Netherlands that helped us to make connections at a global scale, and put us in a much stronger position.”

Learn more about ReGen-R8 here.

Forging Partnerships In The Netherlands

Among the six startups, Innergy Solutions, ReGenR8 and Partners with Sun were selected to take part in a 10-day immersion trip to YES!DELFT, the accelerator of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands.

After the startups’ first Immersion Trip to Yes!Delft back in May to get insights into the tech entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Netherlands, these three startups were sent back with the purpose of creating and strengthening linkages with Dutch counterparts from across the Netherlands.

During their trip, the startups were provided with technical and business support by Yes!Delft mentors, and were linked with Dutch startups and companies with the aim of building business and vendor partnerships.

As one of the highlights of the trip, Partners with Sun were able to participate in the pitching event at Startlife – Wageningen University and Research, on Friday November 25, 2022, this opportunity allowed Partners with Sun to leverage Cleanergy’s partnership with StartLife to create linkages in the Agri-Food industry.

Cleanergy Accelerator Program   

Berytech is catalyzing cleantech innovations through a yearly three-phase program that allows cleantech entrepreneurs to grow their startup from an idea into a scalable business. With funding and support from the Kingdom of The Netherlands, Berytech designed and developed the Cleanergy Program to make sure Lebanon has the most competitive companies innovating in clean technology. Learn more about the Cleanergy Program.

Raghid Jarrah

Raghid Jarrah

Raghid Jarrah joined Berytech in July 2021 and is currently a Communication and Outreach Coordinator. He supports the team on various ongoing projects such as ARYAF, DAWERR, REAF, SAFI, WE4F, and others.

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