IRALEB-Industrial Research Achievements Lebanon

20/07/2026

Opening Speech of Eng Ziad Shammas

20/07/2026

20/07/2026

🎂🇱🇧🇪🇺 Celebrating Partnership, Innovation, and Impact

The LIRA Innovation Forum 2026 concluded with a special cake-cutting ceremony celebrating the strong partnership between Lebanon and the European Union under Lebanon Innovate.

A heartfelt thank you to the European Union for believing in the LIRA vision and for its continued support in empowering youth, advancing innovation, and transforming research into impact.

Together, we are building the future of innovation.

🇱🇧🤝🇪🇺

16/07/2026

🏆 Celebrating the LIRA 18 Winning Startups

One of the most rewarding moments of the LIRA Innovation Forum 2026 was the recognition of the LIRA 18 winning teams, celebrating their innovation, dedication, and commitment to transforming research into real-world impact.

The awards were presented by H.E. Mr. Joe Issa El Khoury, Minister of Industry, together with BOT, distinguished guests and partners, in the presence of the startups' supervisors, whose guidance and mentorship have been instrumental throughout their journey.

Congratulations to our winning teams:
🌸 Axikit – American University of Beirut (AUB)
💧 IonPulse – American University of Beirut (AUB)
🌿 Algactus – Saint Joseph University (USJ)
🏖️ AR Sandbox – American University of Science and Technology (AUST)
🌱 Brafech – Lebanese University (LU)

👏 Congratulations to all our winners—we look forward to seeing your innovations create lasting impact!

16/07/2026

🏆 Honoring the LIRA Jury Committee

A special tribute was paid to the dedicated members of the LIRA Jury Committee in recognition of their professionalism, commitment, and invaluable contribution to the success of the LIRA Program over the years.

The recognition trophies were presented by H.E. Mr. Joe Issa El Khoury, Minister of Industry, together with the IRALEB Board of Trustees, to:

• Eng. Ziad Boustany – Acting Head of the Jury Committee
• Dr. Abbas Saifeeddine
• Eng. Michel Sayah
• Eng. Georges Abdallah
• Dr. Hassan Charif
• Eng. Elias Bachaalany
• Eng. Kousra Sakr
• Eng. Rabih Osta
• Eng. Mounir Bissat
• Eng. Alain Nasraoui
• Eng. Firas Bou Diab
• Eng. Lina Assi
• Eng. Emile Azar
• Mr. Marco Kabalan
Their expertise, dedication, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire the next generation of innovators and contribute to transforming research into impact.

👏 Thank you to our Jury Committee for being an essential part of the LIRA journey.

16/07/2026

🏆 Celebrating a Valued Partnership

A special moment of the LIRA Innovation Forum 2026 was the presentation of the LIRA Recognition Trophy to the European Union, received by Mrs. Alessandra Viezzer, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Lebanon.

Presented by H.E. Mr. Joe Issa El Khoury, Minister of Industry, together with the IRALEB Board of Trustees, this recognition celebrates the European Union's longstanding partnership and commitment to supporting research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the growth of Lebanon's innovation ecosystem through the Lebanon Innovate project.

16/07/2026

🚀 The Future of Innovation is Here!

One of the highlights of the LIRA Innovation Forum 2026 was the live showcase of the LIRA 18 winning startups, where five outstanding teams presented innovative solutions tackling real-world challenges in healthcare, agritech, education, and sustainability.

🌸 Axikit – Dr. Nour Maatouk (AUB)
A blood-based diagnostic solution supporting the early detection of breast cancer.

💧 IonPulse – Jad Farhat (AUB)
A wearable sensor for non-invasive health monitoring of chronic kidney disease patients.

🌿 Algactus – Dr. Rayane Hijazi (USJ)
An AI-powered photobioreactor optimizing microalgae cultivation through smart monitoring and real-time control.

🏖️ AR Sandbox – Katia Hamdan (AUST)
An interactive augmented reality platform transforming learning through real-time educational simulations.

🌱 Brafech – Yara Tannous (Lebanese University)
A biotechnology startup developing natural, residue-free biopesticides for more sustainable agriculture.

These inspiring startups prove that with the right support, research can become innovation, and innovation can create real impact.

👏 Congratulations to all our LIRA 18 innovators!

16/07/2026

🤝 Partnerships that Drive Innovation

The LIRA Journey: Partnerships, Achievements & Sustainability fireside talk brought together distinguished leaders and partners who have contributed to the success and growth of the LIRA Program.

Moderated by Mr. Rudy Shoushany, the discussion featured:
🔹 Prof. Richard Maroun, Vice-Rector for Research, Saint Joseph University (USJ)
🔹 Eng. Ziad Boustany, Acting Head of the LIRA Jury Committee
🔹 Ms. Krystel Khalil, Programs Director, Berytech
🔹 Dr. Massoud Khraiche, LIRA Winning Startups' Supervisor, American University of Beirut (AUB)

The speakers reflected on the LIRA journey, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships, scientific excellence, mentorship, and ecosystem collaboration in transforming research into innovation and ensuring the program's long-term sustainability.

💡 Together, partnerships create opportunities. Together, innovation creates impact.

16/07/2026

🎙️ How do we transform research into real impact?

This was the central question explored during the High-Level Panel Discussion at the LIRA Innovation Forum 2026, bringing together key decision-makers from government, academia, industry, and the European Union.

Moderated by Rudy Shoushany, the panel featured:
🇱🇧 H.E. Mr. Joe Issa El-Khoury, Minister of Industry and Head of the IRALEB Board of Trustees
🇪🇺 Mrs. Alessandra Viezzer, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Lebanon
🎓 Dr. Georges Nasr, Provost, Lebanese American University (LAU)
🏭 Mr. Selim Zeenni, President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists
💻 Mr. Cyril Najjar, representing H.E. Mr. Kamal Shehadi, Minister of Technology & Artificial Intelligence

The discussion highlighted a shared vision for strengthening Lebanon's innovation ecosystem by fostering closer collaboration between academia, industry, government, and international partners—creating the right environment for research to become innovation, startups, investment, and sustainable economic growth.

💡 Together, we are building the future of innovation in Lebanon.

15/07/2026

✨ Every journey begins with a vision. Every achievement begins with action.

"A Journey of Transformation" took participants through the evolution of the LIRA Program over the past four years—showcasing how ideas have grown into prototypes, collaborations into partnerships, and research into tangible impact.

Presented by Fabienne Balaa, Executive Director of IRALEB, the presentation celebrated the milestones achieved, the innovators empowered, and the collective efforts that continue to strengthen Lebanon's innovation ecosystem.

This is more than a story of achievements—it's a story of people, perseverance, and the power of innovation to shape the future.