Supporting Innovative and Regenerative Startups in the Natural Products Industry

The Suliman S. Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut hosted a two-day workshop on entrepreneurship and innovation in the natural products industry. The event brought together youth-led startups, entrepreneurs, and experts from the Arab region to promote sustainable business models and advance innovation in the natural products sector. The workshop focused on showcasing innovative ideas, encouraging sustainability practices, and aligning projects with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Key Takeaways:

• The workshop, titled "Supporting Innovative and Regenerative Startups," was held in collaboration with UNESCO, ALECSO, and the Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO, and aimed to promote sustainable business models and innovation in the natural products sector.
• The event brought together participants from Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, and Tunisia, as well as twelve Lebanese entrepreneurs in the natural products sector, to exchange knowledge and advance innovation in the sector.
• The workshop focused on showcasing innovative ideas, encouraging sustainability practices, and aligning projects with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly "Quality Education" and "Responsible Consumption and Production."
• The event also aimed to strengthen participants' ability to scale their ventures while promoting green education, and fostering meaningful connections between entrepreneurs, industry, funding bodies, and policymakers.
• The workshop examined potential policy reforms to enhance the productivity and growth of small enterprises in Lebanon and the region.
• The event featured remarks by Raghda Kawass, Professor Yusuf Sidani, Ramza Jaber Saad, Dr. Mohamed Sanad Abu Darwish, Dr. Maysoun Chehab, Assem Abi Ali, and other regional experts and industry leaders.

Statistics:

• The workshop brought together 12 Lebanese entrepreneurs in the natural products sector and 12 participants from across the Arab region.
• The event featured remarks by 6 regional experts and industry leaders.
• 12 lept participants engaged in interactive sessions led by faculty members from across the university.

Sources:

• Suliman S. Olayan School of Business
• American University of Beirut
• UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut
• Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO)
• Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO