Berytech celebrated the conclusion of two impactful EU-funded projects under the ENI CBC Med program: BESTMEDGRAPE, aimed at valorizing grape waste from winemaking; and STAND Up!, focused on supporting eco-innovative entrepreneurs and enterprises within the textile and clothing sector.
The event brought together multiple stakeholders from the two programs for panel discussions. One panel addressed waste valorization and innovation, while the other discussed a roadmap for a sustainable textile sector in Lebanon. The event featured keynotes from Berytech’s Chairman & CEO, Maroun Chammas, ENI CBC MED Programme National Contact Point in Lebanon, Mohammad Itani, and Deputy Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Lebanon, Alessia Squarcella.
“We take great pride in having implemented these programs in Lebanon, as they align with Berytech’s mission of supporting the untapped potential of entrepreneurs and SMEs and nurturing a thriving ecosystem that fuels innovation in Lebanon. These programs, spanning multiple countries in the Mediterranean region, explore a new perspective on key elements abundantly available in the region, which unfortunately have been underexplored,” announced Chammas.
The Berytech team showcased the impact and achievements of the two programs in catalyzing innovation and supporting research and entrepreneurship in the two sectors.
BESTMEDGRAPE: Valorizing Grape Waste
BESTMEDGRAPE is a 48-month program launched in 2019 to support the creation of new startups and SMEs by transferring scientific and technological knowledge on local grape cultivars and the exploitation of wine by-products as sources of bioactive compounds that can be transformed into innovative commercial health products.
Through the program, entrepreneurs and researchers were able to find innovative solutions to valorize grape waste and create by-products.
The BESTMEDGRAPE program was implemented by 8 partners across several countries in the Mediterranean basin: Italy, France, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Jordan. In Lebanon, Berytech partnered with Saint Joseph University of Beirut and worked closely with Chateau Ksara SAL, Chateau Kefraya, and Chateau St. Thomas. The program featured Capacity Building for 30 teams who underwent a 4-month online capacity-building phase enabling them to turn their ideas into businesses. Ten teams from Lebanon also participated in ‘The Business Creation Joint Event’ in Jordan (a networking event) organized to pitch their solutions in waste grape valorization to professionals.
Berytech launched another Incubation Phase to support 8 entrepreneurs from Lebanon in developing new products using grape and wine by-products. The teams benefited from a 10-month incubation support from Berytech, receiving in-depth technical and business support, along with a total of 80,000 euros in grants to finance equipment purchases, product testing, and consultancy missions.
STAND Up! Textile & Clothing Eco-Innovation
The STAND Up! Program is a 39-month initiative launched in 2020, also funded by the European Union under the ENI CBC Med Program. It focuses on supporting eco-innovative entrepreneurs and enterprises within the textile and clothing sector.
The STAND Up! project addresses the need for transitioning to an environmentally and socially responsible circular model in the textile sector, a traditional key industry in the Mediterranean with an indisputable cross-border nature. The program was implemented by 6 partners across several Mediterranean countries, including Egypt, Italy, Lebanon, Spain, and Tunisia.
Berytech began by building the capacity of 22 teams in Lebanon over a 2-month online phase. This phase provided entrepreneurs with knowledge in green business models, access to markets, access to finance, and pitching training. Three projects were selected to continue to the next 7-month incubation phase.
The program also initiated two activities: Access to Finance and Access to Markets. In the former, 10 teams were selected to build their financial projections and enhance their investment readiness, while in the latter, six ventures were chosen to receive Soft-landing vouchers in Europe while 17 startups in the Mediterranean were supported by Marketing Services vouchers to develop their digital visibility and branding.
The Open Innovation challenge collaborated with three companies—La Brocante, SKAFF, and Ahla Fawda—to provide 4 Eco-Innovation vouchers of EUR 20,000 each. These vouchers were awarded to 4 early and growth stage ventures in the clothing and textile sector to facilitate technical assistance, testing, and development of their ideas and solutions for the presented challenges.
A Path of Success
The impact of these two programs is evident in the ecosystem, the economy, and the region at large, owing to their cross-border nature. While celebrating the closure of the programs, it marks just the beginning of growth, strong traction, and significant milestones for these entrepreneurs and startups.
