On March 20, 2025, the Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) program concluded its third batch with a celebratory Demo Day at the Smallville Hotel in Beirut. The event spotlighted the achievements of seven graduating startups, giving them the opportunity to present their innovative solutions, showcase their products and services, and engage with a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem supporters.
The day kicked off with opening remarks from Berytech’s Chief Operating Officer, Ramy Boujawdeh, and REAF Program Manager, Iyad Mouawad, who welcomed attendees and set the stage for the showcase. The spotlight then shifted to the startups, each of which took the stage to pitch their businesses and share their entrepreneurial journey.
Following the pitches, attendees had the chance to connect with the founders and explore their products up close during a networking and showcase session. The event concluded with a communal Iftar dinner, marking the close of an exciting and impactful chapter for the third REAF batch.
Turning Obstacles into Opportunity
The third batch of REAF launched in December 2023, but several activities experienced delays due to the challenging situation in the country. Despite these disruptions, the participating startups demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination, pushing forward in the face of setbacks.
At Demo Day, five of the seven graduating startups delivered their pitches. The remaining two were unable to attend — but for positive reasons: Passion Vine was in the United States, exploring partnerships and expanding its network, while Soldier Sustainability was busy fulfilling increased client orders following a spike in demand after the war.
Potager De Yara and Worm Factory, both heavily impacted by the conflict, showed exceptional adaptability. Despite being displaced, they managed to diversify their supply chains and keep their operations running — a testament to their grit and resourcefulness.
Three startups — ADE Drinks, Herbie Vivé, and Soldier Sustainability — began their REAF journey with little more than an idea. Today, they have entered the market and are actively selling their products. Several startups had already secured valuable matchmaking and networking opportunities with key stakeholders well before Demo Day, underlining the momentum they had built throughout the program.
Pre-Incubation: Building a Strong Foundation
Following the program’s initial launch, the cohort began with an ideathon, leading into a pre-incubation phase that brought together 15 promising startups. Each team received a $2,000 grant to support the validation of their ideas and prototypes.
This phase was designed to help founders refine their understanding of the problems they aimed to solve, assess market opportunities, define target audiences, and test the feasibility of their proposed solutions. Startups also received tailored support through one-on-one clinics, which guided them through emerging challenges and strategic pivots.
By the end of the pre-incubation phase, an expert jury evaluated each startup’s progress and selected the top eight to move forward into the incubation stage.
Incubation: The Startups in Action
The seven startups that successfully advanced past the selection process entered the incubation phase, each receiving a $5,000 grant to develop and launch their minimum viable product (MVP). During this phase, the teams focused on refining operations, advancing product development, shaping business models, and crafting go-to-market strategies.
Founders embraced the opportunity to pursue product-market fit while adopting the lean startup methodology. They also sharpened their communication with target audiences and worked on building sustainable financial structures to support long-term growth and business stability.
A series of workshops, training sessions, and networking events further empowered the startups — building confidence, expanding their skill sets, and creating space for meaningful connections. Through these engagements, founders interacted with industry experts, potential investors, and fellow entrepreneurs, gaining valuable insights and forging strategic collaborations.
Meet the Graduates
- ADE Drinks: ADE Drinks offers flavored beverages enriched with antioxidants and vitamins A, D, and E, providing a cost-effective way to get your daily vitamins without compromising on taste.
- Joud’s Butter: Joud’s Butter specializes in healthy, natural spreads and food products, sweetened with honey and molasses.
- Le Potager De Yara: Le Potager De Yara produces innovative hot sauces using locally grown jalapeños and habaneros, infused with exotic fruits for a unique flavor experience.
- The Worm Factory: The Worm Factory offers an affordable vermicomposting system powered by composting worms, providing an eco-friendly solution for waste management.
- Herbie Vivé: Herbie Vivé produces all-natural, herb-infused candies, offering a healthy alternative to traditional sweets.
- Soldier Sustainability: Soldier Sustainability breeds black soldier fly larvae to produce protein- and fat-rich animal feed, contributing to sustainable agriculture practices.
- Passion Vine: Passion Vine is Lebanon’s first exclusive passion fruit farm, providing high-quality passion fruits for premium markets. The farm also hosts workshops and activities for visitors.
A Launchpad for Future Success
The REAF third batch Demo Day marked the successful conclusion of a transformative journey for the participating startups. Their resilience and determination, especially in the face of ongoing instability, have set them on a clear path toward success in an increasingly competitive market.
The event not only celebrated their achievements but also served as a launchpad for future growth, reinforcing a thriving community of innovators committed to sustainable progress and lasting impact.
About the REAF Program
Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) program that aims at strengthening the socio-economic resilience of individuals in South of Mount-Lebanon, Central and West Bekaa through supporting the business model viability of startups in the agri-food, eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy sectors.
The program is 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, within the framework of the project Strengthening Agriculture, Local Communities, and Small and Medium Enterprises (ACE).
