Press Release

(March 15, 2017) The Agrytech Program is a jointly funded initiative by the Kingdom of The Netherlands and Berytech, aiming to develop startups with disruptive innovations in the Agri-Food sector leveraging on technology and innovation, providing them with the adequate technical and business resources and support to scale into successful businesses of global impact.

In the context of the Agrytech Program, Berytech is organizing the Agrytech Hackathon on the weekend of March 31, April 1-2 at its business sites located on the Campus of Sciences and Technology of the St Joseph University (ESIB), in Mar Roukoz, Mkalles. The event is supported by strategic sponsors Unifert, SE Factory, and CNC Labs Lebanon; and in partnership with UNICEF Lebanon, National Instruments, Wamda, ArabNET, IEEE Lebanon, AMIDEAST, Jusoor Syria, Speed Lebanon, Green Studios, MENA Devs Group, among others.

The Agrytech Hackathon is a fun & challenging experience over 3-days from Friday 5 PM until Sunday 7 PM. It targets participants from various backgrounds including engineering (industrial, agriculture, electrical, mechatronics, mechanical, communications, etc), computer science, software development, design, science, and business, providing them with a unique platform to meet and collaborate to innovate solutions for real-life challenges facing the agriculture and food industry in Lebanon & the region.

At the closing ceremony, the first and second place winners are announced and will receive cash prizes of 3,000 USD and 1,500 USD respectively, including direct access the Agrytech Accelerator program, for an opportunity to receive up to 1 year of incubation and business support and up to 40,000 USD in grant-funding.

Innovators, entrepreneurs, students and interested individuals are invited to participate. They will be supported with tools and hardware in addition to expert support (technical, industry, and business) to create technology-driven solutions in agri-food during the Agrytech Hackathon.
The venue is open 24/7 to participants and transportation services will be provided to and from the venue.

The Hackathon is an exciting opportunity to anyone who could be interested in launching his or her startup in the agri-tech field. Interested applicants can learn more and register on www.agrytech.org/hackathon before March 28, 2017.
Send your inquiries and know more on: info@agrytech.org.

Main Organizers:

Berytech:
Founded in 2001, Berytech is a leading organization in the Entrepreneurial Eco-system in Lebanon offering the right and vibrant environment for innovative entrepreneurs to create and develop startups and SMEs, through incubation, business support, networking, mentoring, funding, access to markets, and company hosting. Berytech is a Member of the European Business Network (EBN) and has the BIC certification (business innovation center). Visit: www.berytech.org

Kingdom of the Netherlands:
Dutch Ambassador to Lebanon, HE Mr. Schaapveld noted the “importance of economic growth and job creation for a stable and more prosperous Lebanon.” Adding, “This contribution will provide a better future for the Lebanese youth. This program is part of a larger stabilization contribution of 86 Million EUR aimed at reinforcing Lebanon’s resilience.” More from the official launch of Agrytech Program here: http://berytech.org/berytech-the-embassy-of-the-netherlands-launch-agrytech/