Lebanese entrepreneurs excel at Harvard Arab Weekend Competition

Ten MENA-focused entrepreneurs pitched their startups earlier in November at one of the most prestigious universities in the world: Harvard.

The event was Harvard Arab Weekend, a startup pitch competition that promotes entrepreneurship in the Arab world. It gives entrepreneurs a forum in which to pitch their ideas and learn from one another, and network with investors, professors and successful entrepreneurs.

To be eligible, each of the pre-selected startups had to have at least one founder from the MENA region, or the startup needs to serve the MENA market. Additionally, ventures need to have launched their product or service.

The format was simple. Ten pre-selected teams pitched their startup to a panel of judges of high-profile figures in the entrepreneurship world. But before they took to the stage, they were coached on a number of subjects relevant to entrepreneurship. There were additional workshops after the pitch contest.

The winning team was WhiteLab, an open platform for designers and engineers that offers access to technologies such as 3D printing and machinery, founded by Lebanese entrepreneur Cyrille Najjar. WhiteLab received a prize of $20,000.

Original article by Maya Rahal

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Lebanese entrepreneurs excel at Harvard Arab Weekend Competition