The Seeqnce Accelerator Program, recently ranked in the Top 10 Accelerators of the MENA region, brings together promising individuals or teams from the business, design, and engineering fields, who want to create the next big startup. Collaboration between entrepreneurs and skilled individuals – even those coming from completely different industries – can help create the new spin ideas and talent need to grow into a healthy, young business.

Tourtwist is a social platform where tourists identify and connect with friendly locals to customize their visit and turn their holidays into unique cultural experiences. It’s mainly targeting non-commercial and rural areas where one can experience the true Lebanese culture.

Tourtwist is planning its beta launch to be at the end of May and the official launch to be sometime in November after the high season is over.

For the moment, the service is a web platform only. However, the team is planning to develop a mobile application too.

Pierre Daher, Managing Partner of Tourwist, visited our offices in Hamra and told us more about the concept itself and the way the idea was born. He was also talking about Tourtwist’s target market as well as its monetization strategy and future funding.

In the end he revealed the current challenges the project is facing and recommended to fresh entrepreneurs “to carefully evaluate the potential of their idea, to develop a proof of concept and to find a good mentor from the beginning”.

Below you can find details from the interview we conducted.

What is Tourtwist’s competitive advantage?

Tourtwist is focused on responsible and experiential tourism.

“It allows tourists to experience authentic places across the country. Furthermore, our aim is to contribute to socio-economic development in rural areas”, answered Pierre.

What sparked the idea?

All four team members are very passionate about traveling. Moreover, “when we travel we always prefer meeting locals”, said Pierre.

“Also we realized that whenever our international friends visit Lebanon, they prefer to go to local places which are undiscovered. They want to experience the way locals live”, he continued.

How does it work?

Guides create profiles on the website where they list their passions, skills, and knowledge. Additionally, a rating system will be incorporated.

Users can choose a guide based on multiple filters such as: languages spoken, tour type, price, most recommended, or region. Furthermore, they can watch videos and read testimonials on the website before deciding on a specific tour.

When a tour is confirmed, the visitor makes a downpayment of 20% and the rest 80% is paid to the local guide when the actual tour takes place.

Who is the Tourtwist team?

1. Pierre Daher is the Managing partner
2. Pascale Baaklini will handle everything related to Online Media
3. Jessica Abou Haydar is managing Communication and Training
4. Ghady Felfleh takes care of all Finance related aspects

You can read more about each team member in the biographies provided at the end of the article.

What is Tourtwist’s target market?

The project is targeting two segments:

1. Tourists: international and local

2. Partners: guides, venues, and activity centers.

What stage is Tourtwist at?

The company is at its early stage.

“We are finalizing our website. We’ll have the beta launch at the end of May”, answered Pierre.

What is Tourtwist’s business model?

Revenue sharing is its first revenue stream. The company takes 20% on each connection, i.e. on each confirmed tour.

“Additionally, there will be unique editorial content which will give a chance to sponsors to promote specific places”, said Pierre.

And ultimately they will give an opportunity to venues such as hotels and restaurants.

“Venues will have an option to create premium pages with added features”, he further elaborated.

How is Tourtwist funded?

The company won two prizes, the Maurice Fadel Prize in 2011 and the Keep Walking Project in 2012. These are the main sources it uses to cover the initial expenses.

“For the moment we have enough sources to launch the beta version. After that we’ll most likely be looking for investors or Kafalat loan guarantee”, answered Pierre.

Is Tourtwist looking to hire?

The company is looking for a business development person who would be in charge of reaching partners and sponsors and is also ‘recruiting’ passionate and knowledgeable locals who are interested in showing tourists around their hometowns and sharing with them special experiences. Interested Lebanese can fill in the application on the website.

What is the biggest challenge for Tourtwist?

Pierre told us that refining their business model to be fully online while still ensuring unique experiences for the tourists is the biggest challenge they are facing.

He revealed that initially, they were considering a model which involved them being a service provider for some of the tours. After testing it, they found out that it is logistically heavy and limits their scalability.

“Afterwards we remodelled our process to provide a more flexible model which is based on crowdsourcing of the experiences”, said Pierre.

“Once we launch, we will closely monitor the feedback from the users and upgrade the model accordingly”, he continued.

What is Pierre’s view on startup accelerators like Seeqnce?

“We are lucky to have a number of organizations that support Lebanese entrepreneurs.  Seeqnce, Biat, Bader, Cisco Entrepreneur Institute, and Berytech are among the most influential ones who create incredible awareness, change mentality as well as they provide the first steps for entrepreneurs to develop their ideas into products”, answered Pierre.

However, he is willing to see more organizations and companies that will pursue the same goal because “there’s a huge drive towards entrepreneurship among Lebanese companies and only a few take the benefits of such programs”, said Pierre.

What is Pierre’s advice to fresh entrepreneurs?

“Quitting your job seems like an impossible challenge, especially when your family and friends will try to convince you not to do that because it’s risky. But if you are convinced that your idea is special, then it becomes easier to take this step”, said Pierre.

“Once you have an idea, find a great team, develop a proof of concept and find a good mentor”, he concluded.

Follow Tourtwist: Facebook, Twitter  & Google+

 
Pierre Daher, Managing Partner
Pierre comes from a business background both in education and professional experience. Holder of a masters degree in Marketing (USJ) and a professional certification in project management (CAPM from PMP). During his 5 years of professional exposure, Pierre has worked with local and multinational companies in multiple countries such as: Lebanon, UK, UAE, Kuwait, KSA, Jordan and Bahrain.

On an extracurricular level, Pierre has founded an award winning Environmental NGO (Craft – ECO) and co-founded the Global Start-up Battle winning Start-up (Mimix).

Pascale Baaklini , Online Media Manager
Pascale holds a BA in Multimedia and Web design (ALBA), an international MBA (Pisa, Italy) and is a Google AdWords Certified Partner.

Pascale is currently working with Google, Ireland as an Account Manager for the MENA region.

During her 3 years experience, she established along with Jessica, their own Start-up in the Advertising, Graphics and Web sector (Bug Studios) and was in charge of the Online section (Web Design & Development and Online advertising) as well as account management. Bug Studios is a two time award winning company in web design.

Jessica Abou Haydar, Communication and Training Manager
Jessica is a graduate from ALBA University with a BA in Advertising and Graphic Arts as well as an MA in Art Direction.

As a founding and managing partner of Bug Studios, Jessica is in charge of the Art Direction and manages a team of designers as well as multiple regional client accounts. Jessica has co-founded an organization that aims to develop youth potential and skills, through various trainings, and is giving sessions on Leadership skills, team management, visual communication and volunteer work.

Ghady Felfleh, Finance Manager
Ghady holds a BA in Business and Management and a Master degree in Finance (USJ).

With 4 years of experience with Deloitte as a regional senior accountant and internal auditor he has gained a good exposure along with a strong knowledge in the finance practice and quality assurance and he is now handling the internal audit activity in Saudi Arabia for Midis Group affiliates.

We are pretty sure there are many other startups doing awesome things in the region and that’s why we’d be very happy to hear your suggestions in the Comment section.

Let’s take a look at today’s selection.

1. Autopooling

It’s a carpooling platform which allows users to find people with whom they can share a ride to college, work, or event. The service is open to anyone who registers and it’s free.

As reported by NowLebanon, the main goal of Autopooling is “to reduce pollution, traffic and parking problems” while socializing and meeting new friends.

The project was launched in March 2012 by Paul Salameh and Erik Zakhia. It started “as an attempt to provide a hub for carpooling services for AUB students and faculty members”. However, the platform spread to other universities in Beirut and “has recently opened to the Lebanese public”, writes NowLebanon.

You can learn more about autopooling.com in its FAQ section.

2. Ihdeeny

It’s a Jordanian startup which offers a web platform to users who’d like to create their own registries for occasions such as weddings, birthdays, housewarmings, or graduations.

Effectively, you build a personal web page where all the information related to a specific event can be shared with your guests.

For example, if you create a registry for your wedding, “Ihdeeny reserves a personal web address for you and through this address your guests can check out all the information related to the wedding (itinerary, directions with maps and photos, etc), participate in the forum, exchange photos related to the wedding, and much more”, explains Ihdeeny’s team.

Additionally, Ihdeeny users can shop online from the wide range of gifts available on its web platform. The gifts are filtered by age group (ex. child, teen, adult, etc.), occasion (anniversary, wedding, birthday, etc.), gender, price range, or shop name.

If you are interested in Ihdeeny, visit its FAQ section.

3. Ananasa

It’s an online platform, similar to Etsy, where users can buy and sell handmade items made in the Middle East. It can be arts, collectables, accessories, clothes, furniture, or edibles.

Ananasa is based in the UAE.

“We give artisans and originators the chance to set up an online store on Ananasa for free, we hear their stories and allow them to talk about themselves. But our main focus is on the beauty of Middle Eastern Artisans or people located in this region”, says one of the founders in an interview for Grapeshisha.

How does it work? You select items which are added to your cart. Depending on your location and shipping address, the system will determine the shipping cost. They ship internationally and the payment can be done through PayPal, credit cards or cashU.

“Once the payment is completed your product is shipped and you can receive it at the comfort of your home. We also leave room for communication between the buyer and the seller”, the founders further explain.

You can learn more about Ananasa in its Help section.

4. ScoopCity

It’s a Beirut-based online guide which gives you entertainment offers at special prices. It’s focused on offering the best (new and exciting) deals at prices lower than the regular ones, but not necessarily the cheapest. It can be a dinner, a visit to a spa & beauty centre, or a ticket to a movie premiere.

What does “Scoop” mean?  It’s another way of saying a “Deal”. “To ‘Scoop’ also means to ‘Grab’! So to ‘Scoop a Scoop literally means ‘Grab a deal’!”, as described on their website.

How does it work? There is a “Current Scoop” section where you can see the current deal. If you are a ScoopCitizen (have a ScoopCity account or you connect via Facebook) then you receive emails on the latest Scoop you can buy.

The website also  includes a “Scoop Cinema” section which is “a collaboration between ScoopCity and Circuit Empire” where several lucky ScoopCitizens have the chance to receive invitations-only premiere tickets “to the latest Hollywood blockbusters through a trivia competition”, as explained by the ScoopCity team.

There are two other interesting sections, Spotlight and Directory. The first one features “some of the city’s most talented citizens – from DJs and Rock Guitarists, to Chefs and Entrepreneurs – as well as exciting news about what’s going on in the Beirut scene and with our Partners”, the team further explains.

The second section recommends a list of venues to visit  as well as details such as phone numbers and addresses of the venues.

For more information check the ScoopCity FAQ section.

5. Sidepon

It’s a web service which coupon fans would find especially interesting because it lets you view available coupons in a sidebar while browsing almost any online store. Moreover, you are not required to create an account. Instead, you only type the name of the online retailer and you are immediately transferred to the retailer’s homepage where a sidebar with available coupons appears.

The company was founded last year in Saudi Arabia.

“Sidepon.com is in the very beginning stage of changing the way people shop online. Soon, Sidepon.com sidebar will show all users who are shopping online at particular retail site, and allow users to discuss deals and ask for advices real-time”, writes the Sidepon team on their website.

Any other startup to put on our radar? Looking forward to your recommendations in the Comment section!

Generally, this type of e-commerce websites connects sellers and buyers by enabling each party to:

• create a company’s profile

• post products’ photos

• provide products’ description

• provide details about the business terms and requirements

• search for business partners

Let’s take a look at 7 online B2B trading and networking platforms in the MENA region.

1. BizTrumpet

The website was launched in the beginning of this month. It is an “online service aimed at empowering SMEs online presence” as described by AMEinfo.com. Effectively it is an online marketplace where companies create professional business sites as well as search for local and regional business opportunities. The idea is initiated by the UAE based Tejari, an international provider of supply management solutions.

2. Arab Trade Zone

It is an online marketplace which links buyers and sellers from 26 different industries. Agriculture, business services, technology, apparel & fashion, and telecommunications are among the industries it covers.

3. b2bDubai

Following the Tradekey.com website design and approach, b2bdubai.com helps companies from over 30 different industries to expand their network and to grow their business. Additionally, signing up for the Gold Supplier membership will maximize their chances to get exposed as well as to get access to exclusive buyers.

4. Monaqasat

Monaqasat is a cloud eTendering solution that allows all participants in a tender process, including consultants, contractors, bidders, banks and developers, to collaborate in a secure and user-friendly cloud platform. The solution handles everything, from creating & posting tenders, then creating all types of tender documents to inviting other companies to tenders as well as submitting bids.

5. Sabre Red App Centre (SRAP)

SRAP is “travel’s premier B2B app marketplace. It brings travel buyers (travel agencies, travel management companies, leisure operators) and developers together to expand the power of Sabre® Red™ in a revolutionary way”, as described on SRAP’s official website.

The website is targeting three types of users: developers (Sabre® certified programmers), agency buyers (anyone with eServices Admin designation), and agents (anyone who is interested to browse the SRAP; to suggest their favorite Red Apps to their Agency Buyer as well as anyone who is interested to use the Red Apps that have been purchased within Sabre Red Workspace to specialize and grow their business).

6. Gold AE

One year ago Gold AE “has launched as the Middle East’s first ever online gold and silver trading platform. This initiative from the ‘City of Gold’ provides spot trading of gold and silver bullion ranging from 1 ounce to 1kg conforming to Dubai Good Delivery standards. There is also an e-shop for collectibles in gold and silver such as custom-designed coins and laser-engraved sketches”, writes Arabian Money.

7. Mesteel

It is a Middle East-focused online steel marketplace where traders, manufacturers and buyers can buy or sell steel products, both primary and secondary.

To wrap up: the online B2B trading is one of the most efficient inventions of the Internet age. Moreover, with a number of specialized online platforms springing up, the chances for small or medium sized companies to get exposed and expand their businesses are tremendous. And the best part is that most of the e-commerce websites out there are free, unless you want to maximize your opportunities and subscribe to some of the paid packages they offer.

Do you have any suggestion for a local or regional online B2B trading platform that is not featured in this article?

Laimoon, a Dubai-based startup, is an alternative to traditional job boards with a current focus on sales and marketing in UAE and Qatar. Its aim is to match applicants to relevant jobs which in effect will also match employers to relevant applicants.

The company was founded nearly 1 year ago, but the official launch was 6 months ago.

Last week we talked to Ramy Assaf, Marketing Manager at Laimoon, over Skype. Below you can find the key notes from the interview.

What makes Laimoon different?

Even though there might be 50 000 websites in the global online recruitment space, the unique process and workflow let’s Laimoon make a difference.

“A traditional job board is where applicants go and see a bunch of postings right away. It’s very easy and encouraging for them to apply to many jobs because all they need to do is click to submit a CV. That’s normally how it works”, said Ramy.

However he emphasized the following problem: “Because it’s so easy to apply, on average in the UAE a job post will attract 100 to 700 applicants. This is very painful for the recruiter in terms of deciding  ”Who is the right one for the job out from a pile of 700 applicants?”.

And here Laimoon comes in and solves the problem. Before they offer you the jobs, they try to get to know you first by asking specific questions related to your background and experience. Based on the answers you provide they offer the jobs that are fit for you. Moreover this is beneficial for the employers too as they get a list of applicants that realistically match their requirements.

What sparked the idea?

Laimoon is incubated by Honeybee Tech Ventures. The team is made up of the same people who founded Zawya.

Zawya started in 2001 and over the years hired over 200 people of which many were in sales. It always seemed so difficult to find the right people, and recruitment agents were a huge cost. With unemployment in the region being so severe, why wasn’t there a better way to connect online? So they started with the job seeking process. This is how the founders started to think of a better way to connect both, job seekers and employers.

Who is the Laimoon team?

The Laimoon team is made up of:

1. Ihsan Jawad,  Partner

2. Husain Makiya, Partner

3. Zaid Jawad, Partner

4. Abed Bibi, Partner

5. Ramy Assaf, Marketing Manager

6. Jacob Lebo – Market Developer

You can read more about each team member in the biographies provided at the end of the article.

What is Laimoon’ target market?

Currently Laimoon is targeting sales and marketing professionals.

“We picked this vertical because it’s popular among employers. Moreover, the workflow we developed is specifically designed for getting acquainted with sales and marketing people. It was a new approach, so we wanted to put our efforts into a specific vertical and do a good job before we scale”, explained Ramy.

Apparently the company is doing an excellent job as they already have over 200 registrations per day just for this category within the country. Moreover, Laimoon has 23 000 registered profiled users and 1200 jobs listed in the UAE and Qatar from 400 different companies.

What stage is Laimoon at?

“We are definitely at a fast growth stage and about to introduce something new to the product, along with some expansion plans. Additionally, we are seeing big traction and engagement from users”, said Ramy.

How did Laimoon get funded by MEVP?

Ramy told us that MEVP (Middle East Venture Partners) became familiar with Laimoon and the team.  After a few discussions MEVP grew interested in the project which eventually got funded.

“MEVP are co-investing alongside another group which would remain unnamed for now”, said Ramy.

Is Laimoon looking to hire?

“In the near future we’ll look to hire people with good technology and marketing backgrounds. Obviously we’ll be using Laimoon to do that!”, answered Ramy.

What is the biggest challenge for Laimoon?

“Companies constantly are bombarded with recruiters! Moreover, job boards are fighting for companies’ job posts! So breaking through to let them know how different Laimoon really is – that is the challenge. Ultimately we are in the Middle East where there is a lack of early adopters. It’s not like in the West where things tend to evolve faster. So we need to keep in mind the mindset of both the recruiters and the job seekers in the region”, said Ramy.

What is Ramy’s view on startup accelerators like Seeqnce?

“They play a very critical role in the ecosystem. Good ideas bring value only if executed properly. The value of an accelerator should primarily be in advising on how to execute – not on brainstorming a concept. If the accelerator can help you access capital, that’s great – but a strategy and approach built on wisdom from experience in the local market is priceless”, said Ramy.

What is Ramy’s advice to fresh entrepreneurs?

“If you have a project you believe could make a big impact and is potentially global – find a way to start small and not overload yourself. If you can prove it works in a small segment, do that first, then worry about scaling it up. Making too many assumptions can be dangerous. Get it out to some real users and see how the market reacts”, advised Ramy.

“Don’t overdevelop; don’t over-engineer! Decide the minimum functionality and build a prototype. Ultimately, data and feedback stirs iteration, that will enable you to quickly adapt without going too far in the wrong direction – know how to interpret real data, or find someone to help you with that. That’s extremely important for every startup”, he concluded.

Follow Laimoon: Facebook, Twitter & Blog!

Ihsan Jawad, Partner
Ihsan is a pioneer Internet entrepreneur. He founded Zawya.com in 2000, and oversaw it’s tremendous growth for the next ten years.  In 2010, Ihsan founded Honeybee Tech Ventures. He maintains a keen interest in entrepreneurship, and is a founding member of the Gulf Venture Capital Association. Previously at Merrill Lynch and Schroeders in London, Ihsan received a B.Sc. and Masters in Physics from Imperial College, London.  

Husain Makiya , Partner
Following an early career in project management with Bechtel, Husain co-founded Zawya and engineered many of its online solutions. Husain’s passion is for creating products and companies that matter to people. He is a co-Founder of Honeybee Tech Ventures, and helps lead product development at Laimoon. He earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Imperial College, London.

Zaid Jawad, Partner
After starting his career with Schlumberger, Zaid joined Zawya as a co-founder and spearheaded the technology division for the next ten years. Known as “Mr. Unconventional” for his out of the box ideas and concepts, he enjoys experimenting and developing prototypes combining technology and innovation. As a co-Founder at Honeybee Tech Ventures, he brings his unconventional wisdom to help lead the technology behind Laimoon.

Abed Bibi, Partner
As former Managing Partner at Wolff-Olins, Abed is a pioneer in the field of branding and design, he is a marketing machine with 20 years experience in the GCC. Now, a partner at Honeybee Tech Ventures – his influence can be demonstrated through the disruptively fresh & simple brand that is Laimoon.

Ramy Assaf, Marketing Manager
After starting his career in business brokerage, Ramy focused his efforts in helping companies grow online. Ramy left Southern California for Dubai – joining Zawya for new initiatives. Now, part of the Honeybee Tech Ventures Team, he handles marketing, communications and partnerships for Laimoon.

Jacob Lebo, Market Developer
Jacob is a tech entrepreneur and business developer with startup experience. Most recently, Jacob joined Honeybee Tech Ventures as a Market Developer and was the first hire made through Laimoon! Now, Jacob is developing multiple sales channels for Laimoon.

Yesterday Fadi Bizri, Seeqnce Founding Member and Program Director, gave 2 presentations, one at the LAU (Lebanese American University) and the second at the AUST (American University of Science and Technology). The idea was to get students familiar with the concept of startup accelerators as well as to introduce the 2012 Seeqnce Accelerator Program.

Fadi’s presentation was focused on 3 points:

1. The incredible opportunities available for Internet startups in Lebanon.

2. The notion that building successful businesses is hard especially in early phases.

3. The role accelerators can play in going from idea to team to funding to product to growth.

The interest and enthusiasm about discovering life at a startup continued later in the afternoon at the first Open House organized by Seeqnce at its offices in Hamra.

There were more than 2 hours of discussion between the Seeqnce team and over 20 entrepreneurs and enthusiasts who showed interest in the 2012 Seeqnce Accelerator Program.

Among the attendees there were people who already applied to join the program as well as people who decided to apply after the presentation. It was interesting to see a wide variety of professional backgrounds, from medical professionals to hospitality and human resources profiles, then designers and programmers as well as consulting and business people.

The Seeqnce team presented the details of the 2012 Seeqnce Accelerator Program followed by an open discussion about attendees’ ideas. It was great to see how everyone was enthusiastically giving comments and tips on how to improve each business idea.

Next up, more presentations and open house events, more applicants getting to know one another, discussing forming teams as well as getting more and more acquainted with life at a startup.

“It was a great atmosphere. I was amazed to see so many people getting the concept of co-working”- Michel El Meouchi, member of the core team of Seeqnce.

Don’t forget that applications are still open for the 2012 Seeqnce Accelerator Program!

Breedo.com (“I want it” in Lebanese) is a daily deal website offering discounted and limited quantity products. Right now the products are mainly electronics. However, the team plans to expand their offer by adding a range of diversified products.

“The ultimate goal is to become a reference for any company that is selling products at a big discount”, says Emile Boustani, Breedo’s Founder.

Recently Emile visited our offices in Hamra and explained the concept behind Breedo. Let’s go through the key notes.

What sparked the idea?

After 20 years of travelling around USA and Africa, Emile moved back to Lebanon and came up with the idea. He was inspired by similar websites operating in the US.

“The idea is not genuine, but when we started there was no such thing here. At the same time my friend, who became my partner, was already working on a similar project”, explained Emile.

He gave the idea to reshape his friend’s business and move it online. In addition, improvements in the Internet speed as well as the increased users’ engagement in online activities convinced Emile in Breedo’s potential.

What is Breedo’s business model?

The company earns commission on sales. Additionally, it applies an advertising model to its monetization strategy.

Who is the Breedo team?

1. Emile Boustani, Chief Item Pusher

2. Alain Khairallah, Director of Online Merchandising

What is Breedo’s target market?

Tech savvy Lebanese men are currently the main target. However, the team intends to expand its focus on women and kids too. Additionally, the geographical target is expected to spread out across the MENA region in a year from now.

What stage is Breedo at?

The company is at its early stage.

How is the company funded?

Breedo is a self-funded company.

Is Breedo looking for funding?

“Right now we don’t need any additional funding. Once we get to the growth stage and expand geographically, we’ll definitely look for funding”, said Emile.

Is Breedo looking to hire?

The company is looking to hire people who’ll be in charge of Breedo’s customer service.

What is the biggest challenge for Breedo?

“The website development was definitely the biggest challenge we faced. There were a lot of delays. The whole process took almost a year”, answered Emile.

What is Emile’s view on startup accelerators like Seeqnce?

“In my opinion they offer the best way of helping startups. Maybe this doesn’t apply to our concept, but in general facilitators like Seeqnce help see things clearly. Moreover they help you plan in advance. And planning is one of the biggest challenges every startup is facing”, said Emile.

“There is a high failure rate for startups. When you start a business you are full of hope and ideas but that doesn’t guarantee success. You can always fail for reasons that weren’t initially anticipated. And this is where facilitators like Seeqnce come in. With the diversified knowledge and experience they possess as well as with the wide networking they have, they are definitely increasing your chances to succeed”, he continued.

What is Emile’s advice to fresh entrepreneurs?

“If you do something you love then you are definitely going to make it. You’ll always find a way. If you follow your inclinations then you are going to be happy and this will eventually enable you to create an advantage over others”, advised Emile.

“Don’t go with the thought of making money. Instead, go with the thought of making something great happen”, he concluded.

Check out Breedo’s campaign for 9 months of giveaways & Follow Breedo on Facebook, Twitter and Google+  

Emile Boustani graduated from American University in Washington D.C. in 1992 with a masters in Business Administration, Finance (MBA).  For several years, he has worked in Benin West Africa as a production manager and then as a food importer before relocating to Manhattan, New York, as a gourmet food importer.

His passion for electronics and especially computers allowed him to become a self-taught programmer and was the seed for the future Breedo website that would sell mainly electronics products.  After almost twenty years abroad, he moved back to Lebanon and teamed up with his friend Alain Khairallah to launch the Breedo -1 item a day- website beginning 2012.  His official title at Breedo is “Chief Item Pusher”.

Alain Khairallah, owner of two degrees, one in Accounting & Marketing and the second in Computer Science, has spent most of his professional life in a close relationship with computers and electronics.  He is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) and a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

He is currently the owner of a computer shop as well as a provider of I.T. and Telecommunication services.  Breedo is only the logical result of what Alain was doing so far. His knowledge of the Lebanese electronics market makes him indispensable to the company as the “Director of Online Merchandising”.

Ready for some Spicy Dish?

e-dailydish.com launched its first Facebook Game called Spicy Dish.

The game will be running for 10 days and will bring over 200 awesome prizes to its fans, among which iPad 3 is the “hot spice” prize. So make sure you start playing Spicy Dish NOW.

What is the game about?

It is a slot machine similar to the one of a casino slot machine, with the main difference of using spices to play with instead of tokens. In addition, inviting friends to play the game will earn you more spices, i.e. more tries to win a prize.

The game has two levels:

1.    The regular game level: The first time you play the game you have 3 spices on disposal. Once you “spend” them, you need to invite a friend (a pop up window where you invite friends automatically appears) in order to continue. Each friend brings you one spice. For example if you invite 100 friends you earn 100 spices which means 100 chances to win a prize.

2.    The “hot spice” game level: Besides the regular game level, you could also play for the main prize and that is the latest iPad. All you need to do is to invite 10 friends. You can play this level once a day meaning that if you lose today then you need to go back to the game tomorrow, invite 10 friends and try your luck again. As simple as that!

If you win a regular game level prize then you can’t play that level anymore. Nevertheless, you still have the chance to play for the main prize. Effectively, you have the opportunity to win 2 prizes.

How to play?
You go to the Facebook page of e-dailydish.com and “Like” the page. Then you take 3 simple steps:
1. Go to the Spicy Dish section
2. Click on the “Connect with Facebook” button
3. Play: click on the spoon

What are the prizes?

The regular game level prizes are:

• one week of daily dishes for 2 at What’s for Lunch Ashrafieh
• dinner for 2  at What’s for Dinner Ashrafieh
• one night with a breakfast at City Suite Hotel
• Free dietitian consultations at Diet Delights.
• A basket of organic products from Organic Bakery .
• USB keys with eDailydish.com logo

The main, “hot spice” prize is iPad 3.

And the best part is that there are multiple quantities for each prize.

Play NOW and win a super spicy prize(s).

Last weekend we talked to Sherif Maktabi, Founder of Project Better, over Skype. He’s launching the project today at Stanford University.

You can read more about the core team of Project Better in the biographies provided at the end of the article.

What is Project Better?

It is a space where people share their ideas, dreams, hopes, and concerns with the ultimate goal to make something better. Moreover, Project Better gives people the tools to listen to other people’s ideas and “give the respect those ideas deserve”, emphasized Sherif.

“These tools can be physical, digital, mobile, or web. It can be a book, an installation guide, or a web platform”, he further explained.

“We are so excited to announce that we are launching www.project-better.com where anyone can create a free online space for his community. And the project is not only online”, he continued.

For example, Sherif applied this concept to one installation he made in Barking, a suburban town in London. The council erected a big black wall in the middle of the town where Sherif stenciled the simple sentence: “Barking would be better if”, drew a line, left a chalk and walked away. Interestingly many people came and wrote the same sentence: “Barking would be better if our markets stays”.

At the time the council wanted to relocate the outdoor markets to an indoor space. However, after discovering what really matters to people, “the council went to the wall and wrote ‘It is staying’. And that’s what will happen. This is one example of the way the concept uncovers the things that really matter to people”, said Sherif.

What does Sherif mean by “better”?

According to Sherif, “better” means three things: 1) positive and enriching for PEOPLE, 2) positive and enriching for the ENVIRONMENT and 3) positive and enriching for the ECONOMY.

“When you apply these three concepts as a foundation to build a product, then you will definitely achieve something absolutely better”, explained Sherif.

What sparked the idea?

The idea started out of an experiment he and a friend did in Beirut.

“We used to do graffiti and my friend was wondering: ‘How could we make an interactive graffiti? How could we make a big suggestion box for people to come and express their ideas about making Lebanon a better place?”, said Sherif.

Inspired by an artist called Candy Chang, Sherif did research, tweaked the initial concept and came up with the idea to put a sentence “Lebanon will be better if” on a wall, leave a line  and chalk next to it and walk away.

“I laser cut everything, I chose the location and we started working on it together. Last month, on March 22 it was the wall’s first anniversary. The sentence we put one year ago is still there and it keeps inspiring people to write their ideas on it”, he continued.

Who is the Project Better team?

1. Sherif Maktabi: Founder
2. James Harker: Chief developer
3. Nick Davies: System designer
4. Robbie Bates: Designer

What is Project Better’s target market?

The project has two targets. One is the end users who believe in making a positive impact in society and make ideas happen.

“We expect that the web platform will be mostly used by youth in the 13 – late 20s age range”, said Sherif.

The second target is institutions that are able to see the big picture of the project, meaning that one of their main drives is designing products and solutions people care about.

What stage is Project Better at?

“The project is at its very early stage. We will officially launch at the talk I will give at Stanford University”, told us Sherif.

Is Project Better looking for funding?

So far the project is fully bootstrapped.

“We are definitely looking for funding. I am going to pitch this idea in San Francisco, where I expect to get positive feedback and support especially from investors of Arab descent”, answered Sherif.

Is Project Better looking to hire?

They are interested in anyone who wants to make things happen. You can contact Sherif on sherif[at]project-better [dot] com.

What is the biggest challenge for Project Better?

“It’s quite a challenge to find soul mates that are passionate about joining a startup with the main goal of making the world a better place. Many people said it’s an amazing idea but few were willing to put their enthusiasm into action”, said Sherif.

What is Sherif’s view on startup accelerators like Seeqnce?

“I think startups need all type of facilitators, including accelerators. Entrepreneurs, tech geeks or simply people with a business idea need a place which is managed by a skillful team, who will connect them, provide them with support and eventually help them make things happen. They create and even more importantly sustain entrepreneurial communities. This is vital in the process of empowerment in any entrepreneurial ecosystem”, answered Sherif.

What is Sherif’s advice to fresh entrepreneurs?

In the end Sherif sent the following message:

“I am not established as a big shot entrepreneur… yet. Nevertheless, based on what I’ve learned so far I’d like to recommend 3 things:

1. Be open for the possibilities around you! They might not necessarily be perfectly wrapped and served to you. If you don’t see any, then create new opportunities and make it happen.

2. Don’t say ‘No’ just because you are scared or inexperienced. Create the ‘right moment’ rather than wait for it!

3. Don’t be scared to share your ideas. Ideas without execution are nothing. They become valuable only when you successfully deliver because that’s the moment when people start listening”.

James Harker, Chief developer

James enjoys playing with everything and anything related to technology (including Lego!). He is a keen web developer and believes that a great website/application must provide a great user experience to be truly successful. In 2009 he moved from Wales to London, where he currently lives, to study at Imperial College.

Nick Davies, System designer

Nick is more the systems kind of guy. He also is keen on the move from traditional software to service based web-apps. As with James, he is based in London.

Sherif Maktabi, Founder

Sherif experiments with tools corporations have been using for a long time to make effective social change. He has a background in engineering and entrepreneurship. He is a Product Designer at Central Saint Martins in London.

Robbie Bates, Designer

Robbie is a creative based in London. Graduated from The London College of Communication in 2011 with a degree in Design for Advertising. Focused on design and advertising for social causes.

App&Above is a company dedicated to delivering customized mobile and tablet applications to corporate clients as well as providing mobile strategy for clients’ businesses. It was launched 5 months ago, on November 1, 2011 in Beirut.

Last week we invited Antoine Abou-Samra, the Founder of App&Above, to Seeqnce Space. He told us more about his company, including its business culture, the company’s purpose of existence as well as its business model.

You can read more about his background in the biography provided at the end of the article.

What makes App&Above different?

There are 3 key differentiators of App&Above’s brand and those are:

1. The approach to delivering customized solutions

The company’s focus is beyond the common app development process. Using the team’s widespread expertise and great understanding of consumer behavior, the company is also providing businesses with effective distribution channel strategies and profitable business models.

2. The approach to designer ergonomics

Ergonomics is an essential concept in the App&Above’s working approach. The way the app functions, the interaction between the user and the app, the navigation as well as the design of the app take central role in the development process.

“We work with specialists who make sure that all these elements show a superb performance”, said Antoine.

3. Arabic content

Before starting his business, Antoine did research and investigated the industry in the region. Among other findings, he discovered a huge need for Arabic content.

“One of the premises I started this business with was offering solutions that will satisfy that need”, he continued.

What sparked the idea?

Antoine has always been enchanted by exciting industries. “To me the mobile industry is fascinating as it is completely reshaping the way the world functions. So after doing research and deciding on this industry, I started building the team and partnerships, recruiting local talent who is specialized in mobile and who is able to compete globally”, he explained.

Moreover he was driven by the passion he feels for his country and was determined to do something enthralling in Beirut specifically.

“I wanted to do something challenging that will put Lebanon on a global map. My major inspiration was to showcase Lebanon in a different view as I did more than 17 years ago during my first venture in Lebanon. Some people from the region and Lebanon have already succeeded in reaching global audiences. So it has been done before and we definitely do have the brains for it”, said Antoine.

Who is the App&Above team?

The App&Above core team is made up of:

1.       Antoine Abou-Samra: Founder and CEO

2.       Elie El Soueidy: Team Leader/Senior Developer

3.       Samer Hobeika: Developer

4.       Marwan Toutounji: Developer

App&Above also draws from the talent pool of its partner Keeward.

What is App&Above’s target market?

“We are agnostic in terms of industries. However we prefer certain industries such as media and entertainment, retailing, sports, financial services and tourism”, said Antoine.

“Geographically, we are targeting the Middle East, Europe and North America”, he continued.

What stage is App&Above at?

The company is at its early stage.

How is App&Above funded?

The company is using its own sources. In addition, it obtained a loan guarantee from Kafalat. Right at the moment they are not looking for additional funding.

Is App&Above looking to hire?

The company is looking to hire developers.

Check App&Above’s Continuous Training section to learn more about their interesting recruitment concept.

What is the biggest challenge for App&Above?

“Cash flow and past performance are the two challenges we face”, said Antoine.

“Everyone is asking for a company’s portfolio. For example there was a pitch for a news app and one of the requirements was a track record. This is a challenge every startup is facing.  Nevertheless, if you show quality work, creativity and professionalism then you will definitely overcome this”, he continued.

What is Antoine’s view on startup accelerators like Seeqnce?

“I have gone through the entrepreneurial process several times and that’s why I’m convinced in the vital role of any type of organization that supports entrepreneurs”, answered Antoine.

He believes that the accelerator model is a needed approach and a great reinforcement for startups.

“Everything that is done with the main aim to support and amplify entrepreneurs’ activity is healthy. Companies like Seeqnce and organizations like Berytech have been practicing this approach very well. The more there is such support the better”, said Antoine.

What is Antoine’s advice to fresh entrepreneurs?

In the end Antoine advised 3 things to entrepreneurs:

1. Think big and go for it: Too often I see people who come with projects which aren’t able to scale. If you want to get a large and sustainable business that will make an impact on society then you have to think big.

2. Get the advice, support, and experienced people on board: Talk to entities like Bader Young Entrepreneurs Program, which can support entrepreneurs from the start to the funding process and beyond, and to everyone else available to push your idea. You are going to make mistakes but if you have mentors and the right experts advising you then your business will suffer less and learn more.

3. Give back to the community: Try to make an impact in the society you live in. The community deserves as much as your clients.

Follow App&Above: Blog,  Twitter, and Facebook

Antoine Abou-Samra is the Founder/CEO of App&Above, an international company specialized in the development of mobile applications. He has brought his passion for entrepreneurship, experience of startups and wide industry expertise into the founding of App&Above. The aim of App&Above is to bring the optimal strategic approach with the latest technological tool to deliver state of the art applications to its clients.

He is also the Managing Director of Bader Young Entrepreneurs Program, a non-governmental and non-profit organization based in Beirut, Lebanon whose goal is to promote entrepreneurship and support entrepreneurs in Lebanon. He is also the delegate in Lebanon of IPEMED, a Euro-Mediterranean think tank based in Paris, which promotes the economic integration between the north and south of the Mediterranean.

Starting in the early 90′s, Antoine developed several ventures in varied sectors such as finance, corporate restructuring, media/entertainment or sports.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and International Business from McGill University and an MBA from INSEAD.