NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cambria is a music production engine with an AI copilot that translates natural-language intent into precise, reversible production actions. The software layer gets abstracted away so taste and agency drive the music, not audio engineering mastery. Make real music with AI, don't make AI music — it's Cursor for the DAW.	Fitoto Tech is revolutionizing audiology with the world’s fastest on-the-spot manufacturing system for custom-fit earmolds. By combining our high-speed volumetric printing hardware with proprietary medical-grade resin cartridges, we eliminate the weeks of waiting and high costs of traditional labs.
GridWeave makes it easy for any organisation to run AI on their own computers and servers — without sending sensitive data to the cloud, without months of setup, and without needing a team of specialists to manage it. We connect existing hardware across locations into one shared platform so researchers, developers, and teams can access the computing power they need in hours instead of weeks.	HAQQ Legal AI is a legal AI platform serving 11,000+ law firms across MENA and emerging markets — solo, boutique, and mid-size practices — powered by Justinian, its proprietary in-house engine. Unlike generic legal AI, it applies the right jurisdictional framework to each matter, which is how it beat 15 competitors on a benchmark including Harvey, Legora, Spellbook, & Clio.
Oculi is redefining vision at the edge with the world’s first Software Defined Vision SensorTM that enables the fastest and lowest energy AI Vision. This breakthrough and scalable product were developed and optimized for Physical AI. Oculi’s mission is to bring sight to machines, devices, and structures making the world around us smarter, safer, and more energy efficient.	People are already living the stories worth watching, and Pipp turns them into series you follow and root for. Creators own their content and data, brands sponsor the journeys, and every account is a verified human. Now at 250,000+ invite-only users, 83x content growth in six months, backed by operators from Meta, Google, and ByteDance.

Revilico is the final operating system of Pharma, introducing a unified, closed-loop paradigm that digitizes the entire R&D pipeline; leveraging AI and physics-based simulations to design therapies and an orchestrated fleet of autonomous cloud labs to test them. We eliminate the need for any physical infrastructure and centralize all R&D onto a computer screen, reducing time and cost for chemists and biologists finding novel molecules by over 90%.

Rivio is building the AI workforce for procurement. Our AI employee, Sheldon, automates 75% of purchasing by taking over the work currently handled by offshore teams and BPOs. Rivio is an execution layer on top of the existing source-to-pay tech stack and has built a proprietary data moat for procurement that compounds with every negotiation.

Umbrella is the AI-native operating system built to run live entertainment and hospitality, automating logistics, communications, coordination, proposals, and transactions so operators never have to think about how.	Zaqa is the AI platform for manufacturers and distributors. It operates within the company's legacy systems (e.g., ERP, outlook, docs) and automates the critical repetitive work — a highly trained expert-AI-employee that works within your systems.

LebNet is proud to announce the launch of LebNet London, marking a major milestone as the organization officially expands beyond North America and establishes its first community chapter in Europe.

Rooted in LebNet’s mission of connecting Lebanese professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and students around the world, the London chapter aims to create a vibrant and supportive network for Lebanese talent across London and the broader UK ecosystem.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment, with the UK continuing to position itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence, fintech, deep tech, healthcare innovation, venture building, and global entrepreneurship. Through LebNet London, members will have the opportunity to engage through networking events, industry panels, mentorship initiatives, founder conversations, social gatherings, and collaborative community-driven activities.

Importantly, the launch of LebNet London also creates a strong bridge between the UK and LebNet’s well-established North American communities, allowing members across both regions to connect, collaborate, exchange opportunities, and access a broader global Lebanese professional network.

The founding leadership committee brings together an accomplished and diverse group of professionals with expertise spanning AI, engineering, entrepreneurship, fintech, venture building, research, and product leadership. The committee is headed by Sami Abou Saab, technology entrepreneur, investor, and Founder & CEO of Zigzag Ventures, with over two decades of experience across startups, accelerators, and global technology companies including Microsoft, Skype, and Techstars.

Joining him on the leadership committee are:

Sami El Houcheimi, Software Engineer at Amazon Alexa+ with expertise in AI, fintech, and community building.

Sarah El Houcheimi, Lead Product Engineer at Deutsche Bank with experience across large-scale trading systems and cross-functional technology initiatives.

Andrew ElKadi, Research Engineer at Google DeepMind working on weather and AI systems.

Wassim Rahbani, fintech entrepreneur and product leader specializing in digital lending and AI credit solutions.

Elie Matta, technology executive and engineering leader with experience scaling AI and software organizations globally.

Joseph Keyrouz, startup operator working with seed-stage technology companies.

Karen Nassif, venture and product leader focused on innovation, sustainability, and ecosystem building.

LebNet London represents an exciting new chapter for the organization and reinforces its broader vision of building a globally connected Lebanese technology and innovation network that empowers talent across borders.

Professionals, students, founders, researchers, and innovators across London and the UK are invited to join the growing community and become part of this journey.

In this role, Haifa will lead community engagement initiatives across LebNet’s global network, fostering meaningful connections and supporting the growth of Lebanese professional communities around the world.

Haifa brings over 16 years of experience in business development, partnerships, program management, events, and social impact across the private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining LebNet, she held leadership roles at Alfanar Venture Philanthropy, working closely with social enterprises, donors, and ecosystem partners across the MENA region.

With her passion for community building and collaboration, Haifa will play a key role in strengthening member engagement and expanding LebNet’s global impact.

We are excited to have Haifa join the team and look forward to the energy and leadership she will bring to the community.

Welcome to LebNet, Haifa!

Lebanon is once again facing the devastating impacts of war, with over one million people internally displaced and urgent humanitarian needs growing by the day.

Members of the LebNet Board and community leaders have stepped forward to mobilize support for trusted organizations and match donations to amplify relief efforts on the ground.

Our ask: Help us unlock these generous matches by making a donation today.

Beit El Baraka: https://benevity.go.link/3vcYM

Lebanese Red Cross: https://benevity.go.link/cTkhw

UNICEF Lebanon: https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/unicef-aids-children-lebanon-conflict-intensifies?form=FUNPVAQXYTN

World Central Kitchen: https://benevity.go.link/8MKyc

Donate. Share. Promote relief for Lebanon.

Please keep Lebanon and its people in your thoughts and prayers.

Note: All organizations are U.S. tax-registered except for the Lebanese Red Cross

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mona Flores to the LebNet Board of Directors.

Dr. Flores is a physician and healthcare innovator with a passion for advancing medicine and science through artificial intelligence. She most recently served as Global Head of Medical AI at NVIDIA, where she built and led a global ecosystem bringing AI technologies into healthcare.

She completed her undergraduate studies in business at the American University of Beirut, followed by her medical training at OHSU, UC San Diego, Stanford, and Columbia. She also holds an MBA and a Master’s degree in Biology. With experience spanning cardiothoracic surgery, digital health, and investment banking, Dr. Flores brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective to solving healthcare’s most complex challenges.

At the forefront of AI, science, and medicine, Dr. Flores is focused on scalable innovation that improves patient care and expands access to advanced technologies.

As a LebNet Board member, she will help guide our strategic direction and play a key role in bolstering LebNet’s strategy and key partnerships in the technology, science, and healthcare space.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Mona Flores to the LebNet Board of Directors!

Join us in welcoming Nathalie Akilian as Lead Project Manager at LebNet!

In this key role, Nathalie will lead the planning and execution of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment across teams and driving impact across LebNet’s programs and community efforts.

Nathalie brings a strong background in project management, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration, along with a passion for building efficient systems and delivering meaningful results. Her ability to connect strategy with execution will be instrumental as LebNet continues to grow and expand its global impact.

We are excited to have Nathalie join the team and look forward to the leadership and structure she will bring to our initiatives.

Welcome to LebNet, Nathalie!

Yasmina Malouf, an early-career legal professional, recently launched a grassroots fundraiser for UNICEF Lebanon with her friends, raising over $8,000 to support families in need.

Driven by a deep sense of responsibility to her country, Yasmina recognized that many people around her wanted to help—they just didn’t know how. By making giving simple and accessible, she was able to mobilize her network and turn intention into action.

Her story is a powerful reminder that meaningful impact doesn’t require scale, just clarity, accessibility, and the willingness to take the first step. LebNet is proud to feature Yasmina as an example of how small actions can create real impact.

What motivated you to start this fundraiser, and how did you get your friends involved? Being Lebanese is one of the greatest honors of my life, and it has never felt like an option to stand by while my country and people are suffering. We are living in a time where social media makes it possible to raise awareness far beyond our own communities. I realized many of my non-Lebanese friends wanted to help—they just did not know how. I made donating as simple as possible by using platforms like Venmo, so people could contribute quickly and easily. When you remove barriers, people show up, especially when they feel even a small action can make a difference.

For others early in their careers who may feel they cannot do much, what would you say to encourage them to take action? It is easy to feel helpless watching what is happening in Lebanon, especially early in your career when you may not feel established or influential. But making an impact does not require a big platform or significant resources. People are more willing to help than you might expect, and small contributions truly add up. You do not have to solve the entire crisis, just doing your part to support humanitarian aid is meaningful. Action, even on a small scale, is always better than inaction.

What did this experience mean to you personally, and what impact do you hope it will have? These initiatives are deeply personal to me. I love my people and I love Lebanon, and fundraising has always been how I channel that into something tangible. The first time I fundraised, I was five years old, passing out flyers and collecting donations on Burlingame Avenue. Since then, I have continued to show up in moments of crisis.

After the Beirut blast, I worked alongside other young Lebanese Americans to support relief efforts. At that time, I supported the Beirut Project, bringing together Lebanese young adults across the country to fundraise and deliver immediate aid on the ground. I also created a simple, shareable graphic for my sorority sisters, helping raise funds in an accessible way.

In 2024, I organized donations again following the bombardment in the south. Each time, I am reminded that people will surprise you with their generosity, especially when it is easy to contribute. What I hope this shows is that fundraising can be done by anyone, at any level. For me, whenever I am hurting for Lebanon, it is the most immediate and meaningful way I know how to help.

Like Yasmina, stand with Lebanon.  Every dollar matters. Every share multiplies the impact.  

Lebanon is facing a devastating crisis, with over one million people displaced and urgent humanitarian needs growing by the day.
Follow Yasmina’s lead, take action.

Your impact is multiplied
Thanks to pledged matches from LebNet leaders and partners, every dollar you give can be tripled, turning your support into immediate, amplified relief on the ground.  Help us unlock the full match by spreading this campaign across your networks

Donate now:
• Beit El Baraka: https://benevity.go.link/3vcYM
• Lebanese Red Cross: https://benevity.go.link/cTkhw
• UNICEF Lebanon: https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/unicef-aids-children-lebanon-conflict-intensifies?form=FUNPVAQXYTN
• World Central Kitchen: https://benevity.go.link/8MKyc

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Dr. Ossama Hassanein: a visionary entrepreneur, mentor, philanthropist, and a cherished member of the LebNet community. Dr. Hassanein was a global leader in technology and venture capital for more than four decades, managing over $1 billion in international tech funds and helping build and finance some of the most influential companies in Silicon Valley and around the world.

Yet, for all his remarkable accomplishments, what defined Dr. Hassanein  most was his unwavering belief in people. He dedicated his life to uplifting the next generation, mentoring countless entrepreneurs, opening doors, and advocating for those with big dreams and few champions. His generosity, wisdom, and lifelong commitment to giving back shaped ecosystems across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, leaving an immeasurable mark on our community and far beyond.

As a LebNet Senior Advisor and longtime supporter, he championed our mission and inspired us to think bigger, reach higher, and invest in one another. He led with heart, humility, and conviction, always reminding us that “The future is brighter together.” This belief was more than a quote,  it was the way he lived, the way he led, and the hope he instilled in everyone he touched.

Dr. Hassanein’s passing is a tremendous loss, but his legacy will live on in the thousands of lives he shaped, those he mentored, empowered, and believed in. We will honor him by continuing the work he cared so deeply about: lifting others, building bridges, and creating opportunities for generations to come.

May his soul rest in peace. May his memory be eternal.  Our LebNet community will never forget him.

We’re thrilled to welcome Michel Rbeiz to the LebNet Senior Advisory Board!

Michel is a FinTech leader whose career bridges strategy, product innovation, and technology. He currently serves as SVP & General Manager of FinTech at Toast, where he leads Toast’s Payments, Lending & Embedded Finance, Team Management, and Payroll lines of business - all designed to empower the hospitality community, delight their guests and do what they love.

Previously, Michel was Global Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at State Street Corporation, driving corporate strategy, M&A, and partnerships. Michel also held a variety of other senior strategy, chief operating officer and technology transformation roles at State Street. Michel started his career at McKinsey & Company as a management consultant in financial services and technology industries, and spent a few years as an entrepreneur in the FinTech and Consumer space in Boston

He is an MIT alumnus in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and has served on the Board of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, supporting families in underserved communities.

As a member of the Advisory Board, Michel will help guide LebNet’s strategic direction, strengthen partnerships, and advance financial sustainability.

Please join us in welcoming Michel Rbeiz to the LebNet Senior Advisory Board!

Breaking into the tech industry or taking that next big leap can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to navigate it alone.

This October, LebNet Atlanta is proud to launch Sharpen Your Edge: Atlanta Mentorship Sessions, a month-long initiative offering exclusive one-on-one mentorship with seasoned Lebanese tech and business professionals right here in the Atlanta area.

What’s in it for you?

Each 30-minute session is designed to give you practical, personalized guidance to strengthen your edge in today’s competitive job market:

• ✅ Resume reviews – polish your story and highlight what matters most.

• ✅ Cover letter guidance – craft messages that stand out to hiring managers.

• ✅ Mock interview practice – build confidence and sharpen your responses.

Why join?

This is more than just career advice, it’s a chance to connect directly with professionals who share your background, understand your challenges, and want to see you succeed. Whether you’re applying for your first internship, aiming for graduate school, or making a career pivot, this mentorship is tailored for you.

⚡ Spots are limited to participants in the Atlanta area, so don’t wait!  Secure your session here or scan the QR code to register.

Take the next step in your journey and sharpen your edge with LebNet Atlanta by your side.