Berytech held its annual Christmas Dinner and Incubation Awards ceremony at The Library in Saifi on December 16, 2009, gathering over 200 guests within a growing number of staff and community members, as well as friends, supporters, shareholders and board members of the organization.

During the evening, Mr. Maroun N. Chammas, Chairman & CEO of Berytech welcomed the guests and highlighted the new strategic programs that were introduced in 2009 namely: the Philips Innovation Program, the Entrepreneurs Forum, the Regional Academy for Young Entrepreneurs (RAYE) as well the Mowgli-Berytech Mentorship Experience.

During the gala dinner, Chammas presented Reverend Father René Chamussy, Rector of Saint-Joseph University (USJ) with an “Honor Award” for his visionary leadership within the academic world, as well as the entrepreneurship initiatives that USJ has led under his direction. He also thanked him for his personal support throughout the different development phases of Berytech. Chamussy thanked in turn Berytech for this award as well as the Chairman and team members for their relentless efforts. He also spoke of USJ’s latest initiatives, including the Health Technopole situated on Damascus road and which will develop in due course natural synergies with the incubator of Berytech.

On this occasion, Berytech also announced the results of the Incubation Awards, which nominated the project Hikai of Bachir Al Kai, a patented online Facebook game, as winner. Hikai had scored the highest result in the evaluation process. Upon receiving the trophy, the winner stated: “Berytech has restored my confidence in this country and the merit system. I am honored to have won this prize through a rigorous and transparent process”.

Mr. Simon Edwards, CEO of Mowgli, who was present from London on this occasion, highlighted his admiration to the entrepreneurship spirit he detected among Berytech’s community members as well as to the role the incubator is playing in supporting them: “What you have here is an inspiring and wonderful operation. The support you provide with such dedication and passion to those brilliant entrepreneurs is truly amazing”.

Guests were treated to varied and vibrant entertainment including different singers and musicians who got everyone singing along off tune and swinging freely to the tunes.

The evening ended with embraces, greetings and cheers for the Christmas and the New Year.