Middle East University

Middle East University is a non-profit university located in Beirut, Lebanon, since 1939. It offers nine undergraduate degrees and six graduate degrees. Though small, it embraces students from more than 30 different nationalities, mainly from the Middle East and North Africa.

Read about our First Start-Up Competition

Read about our Second Start-Up Competition

3rd MEU Start-Up Competition

This school year 2023-2024 Middle East University organizes its 3rd Start-Up Innovation Competition.

Philosophy and Rationale

We aim to engage the powers of innovation and the magic of entrepreneurship with team synergy so we can endure through Lebanon’s challenging times by transforming an innovative idea into a sustainable real opportunity.

This innovation competition across and beyond MEU campus aims to integrate academic learning with the challenges of everyday reality. Each team proposes an area of expertise where they will grow their opportunity during several months in phase stages of idea development after participating in several start-up coaching workshops. After each workshop teams will submit a deliverable document. Finally, teams will pitch their start-ups before a judging panel at the end of the Spring semester.

Benefits

  • Record in transcript as Entrepreneurship Practicum, zero credit (optional in Spring)
  • Certificate of participation
  • Prize awards for winner teams in University track: 1st $600, 2nd $300, 3rd $100
  • Prize awards for winner teams in High-School track: 1st $300, 2nd $200, 3rd $100
  • Coaching and business mentoring may be offered
  • Seed funding may be offered

Tracks

Track 1: University Students

Track 2: High-School Students

Calendar Track 1: University Students

  • November 3, 2023 Registration Deadline
  • November 3, 2023 Workshop 1 – Teams, Ideas, and Opportunities
  • November 17, 2023 Submission 1 – What a Great Idea!
  • November 24, 2023 Workshop 2 – Value Proposition
  • January 19, 2024 Submission 2 – Business Model Matrix
  • March 8, 2024 Workshop 3 – Sensitivity Analysis
  • March 22, 2024 Submission 3 – Start-Up Proposition
  • March 29, 2024 Workshop 4 – Teams Drills and Skills
  • April 12, 2024 Submission 4 – Oral Pitch Delivery
  • April 17, 2024 Team Oral Pitch Contest
  • April 24, 2024 Winners Certificates and Awards

Calendar Track 2: High-School Students

  • March 15, 2024 Registration Deadline
  • March 15, 2024 Workshop 1 – Value Proposition
  • March 22, 2024 Submission 1 – Value Proposition
  • March 22, 2024 Workshop 2 – Problem-Solution Opportunity
  • March 29, 2024 Submission 2 – Business Pitch
  • April 19, 2024 Team Oral Pitch Contest

 Suggested Topics of Interest

Computer coding Faith mission
Network gaming Public health
Crisis management Paramedics
Micro-finance Educational innovation
Agri-business Sustainable volunteering
Social media filters Relief philanthropy
Virtual reality Social participation
Branding design Philosophy of ethics
Big data Leadership

How to Register

  • Submit team members to Dr. Zgheib to startup.meu@gmail.com
  • University Track: pay fee of $10 per participant
  • Questions: WhatsApp 71 189 650

Mentors & Sponsors

We are looking for mentors with experience in entrepreneurship who would be willing to support one of the teams on a pro-bono basis. Besides, we are looking for sponsors who would be willing to make a donation for the cash prizes. Donors from the US will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Please let us know if you would be interested in sponsoring our event and entrepreneurship in Lebanon. Contact us at carlos.biaggi@meu.edu.lb

Judging Panel

The judging panel will be formed by 11 members: MEU faculty, MEU administration, MENA Union, ADRA, Business sponsor, Executive mentor, MEU Undergraduate student, MEU Graduate student, Undergraduate student outside MEU, Graduate student outside MEU, Event coordinator (MEU silent ex-officio)

Coordination Committee

Dr. Amy McHenry, Dr. Carlos Biaggi, Mr. Bassam Abdallah, Dr. Philippe Zgheib

Sponsors

Your business could appear hear.