Berytech participated in a panel dedicated to the challenges and opportunities for Tech and Social entrepreneurs, as part of the Young Engineers Forum 2018 – entitled Entrepreneurship: the Engine of Socioeconomic Changes.
More than 400 professionals and students in engineering and architecture gathered at the Order of Engineers &and Architects, to learn more about the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in Lebanon. The forum, organized by The Order of Engineers and Architects in Beirut in collaboration with Rural Entrepreneurs and Tatweer Baladna, targeted young engineers, entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs-to-be, to expose them to the entrepreneurial mindset and get acquainted with the supporting ecosystem present in Lebanon, highlighting the different opportunities that lie ahead – especially in a time where many graduates have difficulties to find a job.
Panel Discussion: Overview of Entrepreneurship development in Lebanon and its impact on socioeconomic transformation
Ramy Boujawdeh, Deputy General Manager at Berytech, presented the different opportunities young engineers and architects can take advantage of by putting their knowledge to good use in multiple sectors: “We have been running two editions of the Agrytech accelerator and now we are expanding and looking into cleantech, waste water, renewable energy, fintech and ICT. Engineers and Architects can actually use their skills in these different sectors and find innovative solutions to many challenges Lebanon is facing.”
He also presented the different options for supporting organizations in Lebanon including Berytech, to take part in and get the required support and expertise to be able to expand ideas into a business, especially in a time where the youth are struggling economically and financially, sometimes discouraging them and taking away their motivation to make a change.
Boujawdeh was joined by Asmahan Zein, President at the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB), who encouraged female engineers and architects to keep on creating an impact especially in a field that was once known as a field for men in our society.
As for Ramzi Salman, Founder at Bkerzay Sustainable Development, he added that with the many support organizations in the ecosystem which are helping entrepreneurs to get the right expertise, funding and support, entrepreneurs need to hold on to their passion and motivation and work harder every day.
From Engineer to Disruptive Entrepreneur
Wissam Youssef, co-founder and CEO of CME Lebanon, stated “Engineers should not only apply what they learnt but also take advantage of their knowledge to find solutions. A major competitive advantage of Lebanese is their passion in searching for innovative and creative solutions.”
The audience also learnt from Mrs. Carole Issa, Founder at Alephpreneur, about the main traits and habits that successful entrepreneur share: never say no to opportunities, always be curious and get educated, value time and be always surrounded by the right people.
The president of the Federation of Lebanese Engineers, Arch. Jad Tabet welcomed the attendees, in addition to Eng. Firas Bou Diab, Board Member at the Order of Engineers and Architects and Haitham Saab, Founder and President at Rural Entrepreneurs.
