Tinkerlab Program

Boost your idea or early-stage startup & create green or social impact in the Bekaa community!

Join the Tinkerlab program to take your idea or early-stage startup to the next level, receive the technical & financial support needed, and unlock the opportunity to join the acceleration phase at Michel Daher Foundation.

Tinkerlab is a two-month game-changing program designed for ideas or early-stage startups that solve social, health, technology, environmental, agricultural, or agri-food challenges with a positive impact.

Over two months, 10 selected startups will receive tailored coaching, mentoring, and business support along with a $850 financial grant to further develop their idea/early-stage startup and enhance their entrepreneurial and business development mindset.

This program is in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation (KAS)

10 Startups

Supported

2 Months

Technical SUPPort

$850

GRANTS PER STARTUP

WHY APPLY

Expert Coaching

Get expert advice in idea validation, business development, and pitching.

One-on-one Mentoring

Receive personalized support to refine your business concept.

Networking Opportunities

Connect with the startup ecosystem and expand your network.

Cash Funding

Receive a $850 cash grant for MVP development and early testing.

Unique Learning Experience

Participate in expert-led workshops and skill development sessions.

Enriching Exchanges

Thrive in an environment that fosters collaboration and growth.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Tinkerlab is open for social/green entrepreneurs and early-stage startups located in Bekaa and innovating in social, health, technology, environmental, agricultural, or agri-food sectors

To be considered for the Tinkerlab program, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Operating a startup delivering social impact or committed to building a startup with a social impact
Having at least one co-founder residing full-time in Lebanon
Having a multidisciplinary and complementary team
Willing to commit to the 2-month acceleration program
Startups or entrepreneurs must be based in the Bekaa region
Priority will be given to teams that include females

HOW IT WORKS

After closing applications on August 28th, 2023, 15 selected teams will participate in a full-day hackathon. The aim is to prepare the selected startups to develop their ideas, enhance design thinking, and improve their business models and pitch skills.

One online info session on August 14th, 2023 to explain the program and its benefits.

One-day Hackathon on September 9th full of training, workshops, mentoring, & the opportunity to pitch your idea to a panel of experts at MDF premises (Transportation is paid).

Top 10 teams with the most relevant social or green solutions will be shortlisted to join 2-month acceleration phase and get all the business and technical support they need starting September 16th till the end of November.

Demo-Day on November 30th, 2023 the 10 startups or entrepreneurs will display their products, services, or business ideas to the public, including potential investors, media, and key players in the ecosystem.