The TechWadi Global Entrepreneurship Forum was held on June 23, 2010 for the first time in Beirut at the Olayan School of Business (OSB) at the American University of Beirut (AUB), supported by Berytech Technological Pole and co-sponsored by the Berytech Fund

The Forum emphasized accelerating entrepreneurship and venture capital in Lebanon and across the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region, and brought together distinguished individuals united in their vision to create a vibrant world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Dolly Chammas, Board Member of TechWadi, stated, “This is the first forum of its kind in the Middle East.  We are following in the footsteps of similar forums in Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C.”  Joining the forum was a distinguished delegation led by the US Department of State, including prominent business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking to expand cross-border ties with the MENA region.  This conference also offered opportunities for attendees to network with local and international investors, executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.

Speakers at the conference addressed strategic topics, notably the key role of mentors and incubators in building the support infrastructure for start-ups; the application of best practices in venture capital, such as managing multi-stage funds; and the opportunities for technology transfer and collaboration between the U.S. and MENA.  TechWadi speakers also addressed several U.S. programs aimed to foster entrepreneurship.  Ossama Hassanein, President of TechWadi, remarked, “Through this discussion, we provided two answers: what makes Silicon Valley tick—and how to repeat it in the Arab region.”

In the conference, Maroun N. Chammas, Chairman and CEO of Berytech shared with the audience a lay of the land snapshot on entrepreneurship today during the opening address. Nicolas Rouhana, Director of Berytech Technology Pole moderated a session on “Launching from Solid Ground” in which the key role of mentors and incubators in building the support infrastructure for start-ups and promising emerging growth companies was tackled. Finally, Sami Beydoun, Managing Partner of the Berytech Fund, presented the history and achievements of the fund, in a session dedicated to venture investing and the Lebanese ecosystem.

TechWadi seeks to organize and facilitate access to mentorship, funding, and career opportunities for their members.  Based in Silicon Valley, TechWadi reaches over 1,000 technology leaders in the United States and across the globe.

On the sideline of this event, Berytech hosted the TechWadi delegation on June 24 for a site visit, a meeting with some of Berytech’s most dynamic entrepreneurs as well as a Lebanese traditional lunch.