On the first of April 2016, Deputy Assistant Administrator for USAID’s Middle East Bureau Ms. Mouna Yacoubian headed a roundtable discussion with IM Capital, Speed@BDD, as well as entrepreneurs benefiting from assistance under MENA II, tackling the overall investment and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Lebanon. Following a brief welcome note and introduction by Berytech Chairman Mr. Maroun Chammas, Ms. Corine Kiame, IM Capital’s investment manager, presented a summary of the fund’s activities and achievements for year one, generating excellent feedback on the success of the initiative.

Next, three benefiting entrepreneurs, Toufic Azar (MEACOR), Rida Sadek (Rational Pixels), and Charlie Khoury (NAR), showcased their startup ideas, triggering Ms. Yacoubian’s high admiration, and stimulating a discussion around MENA II’s positive contribution to early business startups in Lebanon. A cake was cut in celebration of IM Capital’s one year anniversary, and the visit was concluded by a tour in the offices of Speed@BDD.