LebNet was a proud ecosystem partner of STEP SF on August 15th, offering its founders a valuable opportunity to connect with leading tech executives, investors, and entrepreneurs. This partnership enabled Lebanese startups, such as Revilico Inc., co-founded by Christopher Korban, to fully capitalize on the networking and engagement opportunities at the event.

Korban (Pictured below with Jibran Jahshan, LebNet's Bay Area community leader) shared, "STEP SF generated a lot of great connections for us, helping secure meetings with leading VCs in the AI-integrated pharmaceutical and biotechnology space. We also gained valuable design partners and pharmaceutical customers in the Bay Area and Saudi Arabia, as well as significant exposure for our technology platform and team. We are very grateful to LebNet for the experience and thoroughly enjoyed the conference."  

The event was well-attended by early-stage startups focusing on AI, biotech, healthcare, agriculture, and B2B services. Gulf and Saudi companies made a strong impression, showcasing their homegrown capabilities. The lineup of speakers and panelists was tailored to the needs of the vibrant, young, and early-stage audience. Notably, many startups were founded or co-founded by women from the Middle East, highlighting the region's evolving landscape of innovation and social change. 

Looking ahead, LebNet plans to expand its partnership and participation with STEP next year, offering more opportunities for its members and founders to engage with the event and ensuring earlier advocacy to boost Lebanese startup representation.

On August 22, LebNet San Diego hosted a successful event focused on biomedical startups, drawing in over 40 engaged attendees. 

Walid Soussou, CEO of QUASAR, Inc. and founder of Wearable Sensing, leads both companies in their mission to facilitate non-invasive brain monitoring across the lifespan, from delicate neonates to the elderly, in virtual, real-world, and extreme environments. His technology is currently used to treat thousands of mental health patients. Walid’s session was both interactive and enlightening, as he discussed challenges such as licensing issues, partnerships with China, and fundraising strategies.

George Harb followed with a deep dive into the work he has been leading to disrupt type 1 diabetes treatment. He covered beta cells, insulin therapy, and emerging cell therapies, while also addressing challenges related to patient access, financing, and market opportunities. George highlighted key successes such as the first beta cell company exit and advancements in next-generation therapies, fostering an engaging exchange of ideas with the audience.

We are deeply grateful to our speakers for sharing their valuable experiences and expertise with the community. A heartfelt thanks to the San Diego community for always showing up with enthusiasm and to Intuit for generously hosting the event. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, a testament to the vibrant and supportive atmosphere.

LebNet's San Diego's community leadership team, Aziz Gholmieh,Cynthia Jereige,Diana Maamari, Jean Abou Rahal,Fram Akiki,Shadi Dayeh and Reem Masri, look forward to welcoming everyone again at our Yearly Family Picnic on September 28th!

On June 10th, the LebNet Toronto community hosted a Networking and Informal Discussion on Digital Identity, exploring its future and applications. Attendees had the exclusive opportunity to connect with and gain insights from Fadwa Mohanna, an expert in the field, who shared how digital identity is transforming various industries. The event featured great discussions, an amazing crowd, and many new faces. The vibrant interactions and growing number of participants underscored the exciting expansion of our Toronto community.

Special thanks to LebNet Toronto leadership member Fadwa Mohanna for sharing her insights and expertise. We also extend our gratitude to Rana Kassem for leading the event, and to the community for their attendance and participation.

On June 6th, LebNet Mid-Atlantic was thrilled to host a networking event for its community in Washington D.C. This gathering provided a unique platform for Lebanese tech professionals to connect, share knowledge, and foster collaborations within our dynamic industry. The event attracted professionals from various tech industries, and the turnout was impressive. The conversation flowed smoothly, and attendees enjoyed the venue's atmosphere, adding to the vibrant energy of the evening. As is customary with every LebNet event, many first-timers joined, and it was heartening to see attendees leave eagerly inquiring about the next get-together.

Special thanks to the LebNet DC leadership member Moukhtar Nsouli for leading this event and for the community for attending.

On June 6th, LebNet Boston hosted an insightful event at MIT, focusing on AI/ML advancements in healthcare, challenges and opportunities in the healthcare value chain, and ongoing disruptions in biotech and health-tech.

The event featured a panel of experts including Ramy Arnaout, Jean-Claude Saghbini, Diana Ezzeddine, and Maya Said, moderated by Anthony Tayoun, and was attended by industry professionals and students.

The discussion covered several key topics: each panelist introduced themselves and shared recent developments in their fields, delved into the impact of AI/ML advancements on immunology and pathology post-COVID, and explored the use of AI/ML tools in oncology and drug discovery. The role of tech-enabled care delivery in complementing discovery-side advancements was highlighted, along with an explanation of value-based care and the role of AI in promoting it. Panelists shared predictions on significant changes and areas of stagnation in the healthcare industry over the next few years and provided valuable advice for biotech and health-tech startup founders. Additionally, they discussed the probabilistic nature of AI, its potential limitations in healthcare applications, and its intersection with pathology and various diagnostic areas.

Our gratitude goes to the panelists, the moderator, and the LebNet Boston leadership team for organizing this event, as well as to the community for joining us. Special thanks also to the Lebanese Club at MIT for hosting and E14 for sponsoring the event.

Another resounding success for the LebNet Boston community, leaving attendees eager for future events on cutting-edge topics!

On May 31st, the 2nd Tech Fellows program successfully wrapped up with a heartwarming celebration at LAU, Beirut. The event, attended by both virtual and in-person audiences, showcased the remarkable achievements of 81 fellows from 13 universities across Lebanon, a significant increase from last year's 25 participants.  Find the recorded event here.

Key Event Highlights:

Six tech fellows graced the stage, each delivering speeches brimming with gratitude and a dedication to community-building. Quotes like "We found inspiration, we were challenged to think bigger and push harder", "LebNet has played a significant role in aiding my transition into the working environment and launching my career", and "Grateful to all the presenters and mentors for answering our questions and clarifying our many choices", underscored the profound impact of the program.

In a unified pledge to pay it forward, the fellows vowed to leverage their newfound skills and knowledge to instigate positive change in their communities and beyond. "Together, we can spark innovation, inspire change, and create a better future."

Program Highlights and Success factors: 

The 5-month fellowship program was designed to empower the next generation of Lebanese technologists, providing them with the skills and network essential for successful transitions into tech careers after university. Notably, the program prioritized support for women and first-generation low-income students.

Led by Aya Mouallem, supported by Mariam Dabboussi, Hussein Mozannar, and Lama Ahmad, the program's curriculum was meticulously crafted. Early-career lecturers and mentors played pivotal roles in guiding and inspiring the fellows throughout their transformative journey.

Special recognition goes to Nicole Bou Farhat from LAU and Nicole Nakad from AUB for their invaluable support during the in-person event, enhancing its memorability and impact for all attendees.

Closing Thoughts: 

Congratulations were extended to all the fellows, the organizing team, and the LebNet Women in Tech community for hosting a transformative program that empowers the next generation of tech leaders.

As the Tech Fellows program concludes, LebNet reaffirms its dedication to supporting our youth in tech in Lebanon for the years ahead, equipping them with the tools for success and fostering a culture of giving. As eloquently expressed by one of our fellows:

"Tech education is paramount. It possesses the power to revolutionize lives, uplift communities, and aid in Lebanon's recovery."

LebNet Bay Area hosted an unforgettable evening of Tarneeb, Tawleh, and vibrant networking in the South Bay. The event was alive with laughter, strategic gameplay, and lively conversations. We were honored to welcome many new faces and the atmosphere was all about social gaming and building connections, fulfilling the main goal of the event.

The evening proved to be a successful networking opportunity, with attendees exchanging valuable information and forming meaningful connections. Many participants expressed excitement about more events in the South Bay and indicated their interest in attending future gatherings. Thank you to everyone who attended and made this evening memorable. Stay tuned for more events and opportunities to connect with the LebNet community!

The May 2nd webinar on Lebanon's untapped outsourcing potential, challenges, and solutions brought together an impressive panel of experts deeply involved in the outsourcing ecosystem. The event, moderated by Ronnie Hammad, Chair of the Advocate Committee of Life, was attended by approximately 50 participants. The discussion covered various facets of outsourcing in Lebanon, from policy issues to the evolving nature of the talent pool and operational challenges.

Introduction and Opening Remarks: Ronnie Hammad introduced the session by highlighting Life's mission to connect members, support students, promote job creation, and advocate for economic reform in Lebanon. Life, with its 1,400 members across 17 global chapters, partnered with Lebnet, a Silicon Valley-founded organization with over 2,500 members in tech, to organize this event.

The Panelists:

Mariam Daher - Executive Director at ForwardMena, shared insights on the role of ForwardMena and Beirut Digital District (BDD) in supporting Lebanon’s outsourcing sector. She emphasized the importance of upskilling Lebanese youth for digital careers to bridge the gap between education and labor market needs. Bahir highlighted that BDD hosts over 160 companies across 35+ industries, aiming to transform Lebanon into a premium outsourcing hub.

Carole Al Sharabati, founding partner at CME Offshore, discussed the company's growth and the high level of expertise provided by Lebanese engineers. CME Offshore serves prominent clients like Subway and PayPal without advertising, relying on word-of-mouth and the Lebanese diaspora. Sharabati underscored the importance of critical thinking and innovation over cheap labor, noting that CME has registered multiple patents in the U.S.

Hala Ballouz, CEO of Electric Power Engineers, talked about her firm’s focus on transforming the electric grid and her positive experience with Lebanese engineers. Balouz praised the high quality, business acumen, and multilingual abilities of Lebanese professionals. She expressed hope for Lebanon's energy sector and highlighted the support provided to employees for setting up resilient energy solutions at home.

Nabil Mardelli, Country Manager at Aspire Software, shared insights into Aspire's rapid growth in Lebanon. Aspire, the operational arm of Valsoft, specializes in acquiring and developing vertical market software businesses. Mardali discussed the strategic decision to expand operations in Lebanon and the potential for significant growth in the coming years.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A session, where participants raised questions about various challenges and opportunities in Lebanon's outsourcing sector. Topics included optimizing business processes, leveraging AI for development, and the potential for improving Lebanon's energy infrastructure.

The event highlighted Lebanon's potential as a premium outsourcing destination, emphasizing the talent and expertise of its workforce. The panelists expressed optimism about the future, despite current challenges, and discussed strategic approaches to harness Lebanon's capabilities for global outsourcing needs.

LebNet's San Diego trivia night on May 8th was a blast! With 22 attendees, we divided into two teams, and one of them secured an impressive 3rd place for the evening! Thanks to all the attendees for making it such a memorable event. A special shoutout to the LebNet San Diego leadership team for organizing such a fantastic evening of networking, trivia, and fun! We are excited to see our community continue to grow. Stay  tuned for more events! 

Hosted at Berkeley by LebNet on April 16th, in collaboration with Luca Hadife, student senator at the Associated Students University of California Berkeley, our panel aimed to give students insights into the experiences of Lebanese tech professionals across diverse organizational environments. Covering startup ventures, venture capital, and big tech, our panelists shared career journeys and actionable advice.

General Topics Covered:

Networking: Leveraging Lebanese networks for growth.

Mentorship: Role of mentorship and tips for finding mentors.

Essential Skills: Crucial technical and soft skills for tech success.

Resumes: Crafting compelling resumes.

Advice: Valuable advice for college-aged selves.

Panelists and Focus:

Elie Ghossain - Program Manager @ Tesla:

- Role overview at Tesla.

- Skill requirements and career advice.

Mona Ahmad - Product Manager @ Pomelo:

- Pomelo overview and product management insights.

Omar Fidawi - Investor @ Scale Venture Partners:

- Transition from investment banking to venture capital.

- Key skills and investment evaluation factors.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adihajjahmad/

- AGI overview and hiring insights.

- Career pathways and industry challenges.

The event, focused on "Breaking into Tech," attracted 30 attendees and provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and learning.