On Thursday June 4th, Endeavor Lebanon held its second fundraising gala at the Beirut Music Hall Waterfront, bringing together over 500 business people and entrepreneurs. In support of the country's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, leading entrepreneurs Selim Edde, founder of Lebanese multinational technology company Murex, and Chris Rogers, founder of global wireless company Nextel, attended the gala and inspired the crowds with their key notes, success stories, hope and faith in Lebanon.
In his welcoming speech, Tarek Sadi, Managing Director of Endeavor Lebanon thanked all attendants and Endeavor's mentors and partners which, with their generous time and efforts, are contributing in the country's entrepreneurship success. "It is very encouraging to see so many industry leaders with us at the Endeavor gala dinner, meeting and connecting with the leading entrepreneurs in Lebanon. It is this interaction and momentum that we want to promote to build a more prosperous Lebanon and a stronger economy", he stated. Sadi also thanked the gala sponsors Beirut Digital District, Mimar, ANBoukhater Holding, Leap Ventures, Bankmed and Printworks.
Entrepreneurship in Lebanon is on the rise and High-Impact Entrepreneurs are at the forefront. In 2014, Endeavor entrepreneurs grew their businesses on average by 21%, despite an economic slowdown in the country. This success is a result of the professional services offered by Endeavor Lebanon and its 9 local partners and the 100s of hours donated by its 150 local and 2,500 global mentors.
Selim Edde, Founder and CEO of Murex, stated in his keynote speech: "I was lucky to have been invited as a speaker at the Endeavor Lebanon Gala as this gave me the opportunity to face this great audience of entrepreneurs and say once more what I strongly believe in, namely the potential of Lebanon for certain activities where we have a competitive advantage in the region, and in particular high value-added software development".
“Many synergies in our visions facilitated the strategic partnership between Endeavor Lebanon and the Beirut Digital District. We will work hard to strengthen our collaboration and complement the great efforts they are exerting to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem", emphasized Mouhamad Rabah, General Manager of Beirut Digital District, a strategic partner of Endeavor Lebanon.
Since its establishment in Lebanon in 2011, Endeavor Lebanon has selected and helped grow 24 Lebanese entrepreneurs leading 18 companies, generating more than $76 million into the economy and employing more than 1,185 people. In 2014, Endeavor Lebanon held two milestone events in Beirut which attracted over 1,000 people. With Beirut Digital District, Endeavor hosted Ignite, a first of its kind professional speed networking concept introducing SMEs to their potential clients. With the Lebanese International Finance Executives (LIFE), Endeavor organized the Global Lebanese Entrepreneurs & Investors Summit, which bridged links between over 300 expatriate Lebanese investors abroad and talented Lebanese entrepreneurs at home.
Endeavor Entrepreneurs in Lebanon include to date: Elie Habib and Eddy Maroun (Anghami), Omar Christidis (Arabnet), Brahms Chouity (At7addak), Mohamad Arayssi and Maha Arayssi Rifai (Beesline), Rima Koteich El Husseini & Rana Koteich Najjar (Blessing), Herve Cuviliez and Delphine Edde (Diwanee), Marc Dfouni and Nemr Badine (Eastline Marketing), Jean-Marc Ingea (Elcir), Rabih Nassar (Element N), Antoine Saab (Energy24), Jamil Corbani (Green Studios), Nehman and Samer Hachem (Hintrag), Hind Hobeika (Instabeat), Labib Shalak (Mobinets), Taline Assi (Mosaic Marble), Nada Debs (Nada Debs Furniture and Design), Omar Onsi (Nymgo) and Jad Khoury (Print Works).
