Open Call: Agrytech Accelerator Program (Lebanon)

Berytech launched the Agrytech Program in 2017 with the support of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Because of its impact and success, Agrytech was renewed in 2019, and again in 2022, under the ACT Smart Innovation Hub Initiative.

Through the Agrytech Accelerator Program, startups receive support to develop their Minimum Viable Product, test it with early adopters, and build their capacity to establish their business from marketing, financial, management and operational levels.

The Agrytech Accelerator Program is a 2-phase program through which Berytech supports entrepreneurs with tech innovations in the agrifood sector, offering them the resources, knowledge, networks and funding they need to grow their ventures.

Program’s Goals

• Advancing agrifood innovation and entrepreneurship: Supporting agrifood startups and developing partnerships between key stakeholders in Lebanon and the Netherlands
• Creating job opportunities and boosting the economy: Reducing Lebanon’s brain drain and unemployment rates and contributing to a more productive and innovative economy
• Contributing to local, regional, and global food security: Building local capacity, increasing productivity, and improving markets and trade

Program’s Timeline

• Throughout the program, startups will receive training and mentorship on product development, marketing and go-to-market, finance, legal, intellectual property, management, fundraising, governance and pitching.
• This will allow them to build their MVP, test it with early adopters; develop the financial, marketing, management, and operational aspects of their business; deliver a compelling startup pitch; and sharpen the personal entrepreneurial skills of the founders.
• Acceleration Phase
  • 6 months · 12 startups
  • Twelve selected startups will receive capacity building to join the Acceleration phase.
  • $12K cash grant per startup to build their MVP
  • Linkages with sector stakeholders
  • Design thinking bootcamp to develop their solution
  • Local and regional pitching and networking events
  • Opportunity for 5 startups to travel to the Netherlands on an immersion trip with StartLife Accelerator
• Incubation Phase
  • 4 months · 8 startups
  • Eight startups will be selected to continue to the Incubation phase.
  • $17K in matching cash grants per startup to establish their operations
  • Linkages with advisors and potential investors
  • Demo Day to pitch solutions to stakeholders and potential investors
  • Participation in national or international summits
  • Opportunity for 3 startups to travel to the Netherlands on a Soft Landing Trip with Startlife Accelerator

Benefits

• Startup Funding: Up to $29K cash injections into incubated startups
• Prototyping Facilities: Access to an electronics & hardware Fabrication Lab with technical support
• Business Coaching: Bootcamps, training, and one-on-one mentoring sessions developing entrepreneurial competencies
• Customer Access: Support in connections and visibility in local & international markets
• Industry Connections: Linkages to the agrifood community and a pool of dedicated local and international experts
• Immersion trips: Opportunity to travel to the Netherlands supported by Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and StartLife Accelerator

Eligibility Criteria

• The program is sourcing early-stage startups with scalable technology solutions in the agrifood sector with the following criteria:
  • Are partially or fully operating in Lebanon
  • Have at least two co-founders, one of whom is Lebanese
  • Working on a tech-enabled or science-based product or service
  • Have a validated prototype or MVP in the agrifood value chain
  • Have a multidisciplinary and complementary team
  • Preferably have a positive social or environmental impact
  • Are willing to commit to a 10-month program.

For more information, visit Berytech.