Second round of touch Innovation Program (TIP) gets underway
Beirut - October 31, 2018: touch, the leading mobile telecommunications and data operator in Lebanon, managed by Zain Group, has launched the second cycle of its touch Innovation Program (TIP), branded Selection of TIP Startups Second Cohort. An opening ceremony was held at the touch LAB in Downtown Beirut on Friday to introduce the second cycle officially.
TIP is an innovation platform that empowers entrepreneurs showing potential in Lebanon, and is part of touch’s digital innovation strategy geared to contributing to the digital and innovation startup ecosystem. The initiative falls in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal number nine, which looks to develop Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure in Lebanon.
Every six months, TIP selects 4-6 promising entrepreneurs based on their innovation, values, and relevance, and provides them with access to touch LAB as a working space. Since launching TIP at the beginning of the year, touch has graduated its first cohort group and granted them certificates for winning the first cycle in September 2018.
The ceremony on October 19 began with 10 shortlisted startups pitching their business ideas to a selection committee that included Lara Fadlallah, MIC Ventures; Maya Rahhal, Managing Director of MITEF Pan Arab Region; Omar Christidis, ArabNet Founder and CEO and Nadim Khater, touch’s Chief Commercial Officer. The jury deliberation also took place to select the six winning startups for inclusion in the second cycle.
Following the series of pitches, Elie Habib, Co-founder of Anghami held a 20-minute open discussion during which he shared his journey and experience with the audience by answering questions related to entrepreneurship and providing key points to develop their startups.
Emre Gurkan, Chief Executive Officer of touch commented, “Since launch, TIP has been able to unlock innovative possibilities of aspiring entrepreneurs in Lebanon. A month ago, we celebrated the first TIP graduate cohort group, adding to Lebanon’s entrepreneurship culture. TIP is also part of the MIC Ventures initiative that was originated by the Prime Minister of Lebanon, His Excellency Mr. Saad Hariri, and invests in early- and mid-stage technology startups, focusing on the ICT sector and other knowledge-based areas. We truly believe that the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Lebanon has the potential to thrive and we remain strongly committed to supporting its development.”
The 6 successful candidates that made it to TIP’s second cycle are: The Makers Hub/Kids genius, Hello Harold, TaQadam, Fallound, Lexyom and Crowd Powered.
Candidates interested in receiving more information about TIP may visit tip.touch.com.lb for more details.