Recap of Lebanon Innovate Soft-Landing Session at EBN Techcamp 2024

On the morning of November 19th, as part of the Lebanon Innovate EU-funded programme, EBN and EU|BIC Berytech hosted a Soft-Landing Exchange Session during #Techcamp24. This hybrid session brought together innovation actors from Lebanon and six EU|BIC members, fostering a vibrant platform for practical knowledge transfer and collaboration.

A Unique Hybrid Exchange

Initially planned as an in-person event, the session adapted to the current circumstances in Lebanon by adopting a hybrid format. This adjustment allowed Lebanese universities, business support organisations and research institutes to engage meaningfully with EU|BIC counterparts, despite the challenges.

Exploring Innovation and Collaboration

The session began with a presentation from EU|BIC Furthr, the hosting partner, setting the stage for dynamic exchanges.

• Representatives from Lebanese American University, Saint Joseph University, and Lebanese University showcased their innovative initiatives, business promotion efforts and potential collaboration areas with European partners.
• In response, EU|BIC members—including Central Bohemian Innovation Center, WestBIC, Descartes Development & Innovation, The Entrepreneurial Center of Krapina-Zagorje County, The Cyprus Institute, and Bilisim Vadisi—presented their own approaches, tools and programmes. Key focus areas included:
  • Scouting programmes
  • Mentorship initiatives
  • Research-driven and thematic incubation models

Outcomes and Next Steps

The session concluded with participants identifying areas of mutual interest and exploring potential avenues for collaboration. These will be further developed through focused peer-to-peer follow-up meetings, ensuring the momentum of knowledge exchange continues.

Additionally, Lebanese representatives had the opportunity to follow the broader #Techcamp24 programme via online streaming, gaining insights into European innovation ΑΙ practices and trends.

Driving Innovation Through Connection

This session exemplifies the Lebanon Innovate Soft-Landing Programme’s mission to bridge Lebanese innovation actors with the extensive EU|BIC network. By facilitating such exchanges, the programme not only builds capacity but also fosters enduring partnerships, paving the way for sustainable innovation ecosystems in Lebanon and Europe alike.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Lebanon Innovate initiative and its future activities.