News

New Club Allows You To Invest In Lebanese Startups For Just $50

The close-knit group will allow worldwide financial backers to support vetted, high-potential, home-grown Lebanese businesses.

Published

5 months ago

June 4, 2024

Nour Nasir

new club allows you to invest in lebanese startups for just $50

Berytech

In spite of its troubled economy, Lebanon is home to a burgeoning tech scene and is rapidly becoming a hub for startups and local talent outsourcing.

However, although the country has plenty of potential to shine on the world stage, so far, financial backers and venture capital firms have been slow to invest.

To that end, the leading online source for all things Lebanon, 961, has decided to take action. The result is a new Investor Club where financial backers can support Lebanese startups, helping to reduce unemployment and ignite the growth of a clean economy.

For as little as $50, investors can be part of a close-knit club that will allow them to back vetted, high-potential, home-grown Lebanese founders.

Here are some of the opportunities that the 961 Investor Club is offering local startups:

Tech & Digitalization: Innovations that drive digital transformation.
Solving Day-to-Day Problems: Practical solutions to improve day-to-day life.
Proven Startups Looking to Grow: Established local companies aiming to scale.
Companies Looking to Expand Abroad: Businesses preparing to enter new markets.
Taking Concepts/Franchises Abroad: Growing Lebanese brands globally.

Startups based abroad may be eligible for funding, but they’ll need to pass specific criteria. For example, companies must demonstrate potential for significant growth, maintain and keep a sizable team in Lebanon, and prioritize Lebanese hires wherever possible.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Freelance Platforms In The Middle East

In addition to the ever-popular tech startups, investors will also be able to back local restaurants, food trucks, nightlife venues, retail outlets, and franchises.

Experts will rigorously vet all businesses before they are presented to the 961 Investor Club, and members can choose to invest in whatever opportunities interest them most.

How To Join

Head over to the 961 website and fill out the form to join the club and be part of a private WhatsApp group. Alternatively, if you’re one of the Lebanese startups looking for a funding opportunity for your business, you can apply here.

News

Flowwow Reveals AI-Powered Rebrand, Blending Tech With Emotion

The new look includes a redesigned logo, AI-driven visuals, and upgraded packaging, reflecting aims for further expansion.

Published

20 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Nour Nasir

flowwow reveals ai-powered rebrand blending tech with emotion

Flowwow, a UAE-based gifting marketplace that partners with local shops in more than 30 countries, has introduced a refreshed brand identity, built by merging artificial intelligence with human creativity. The rebranding includes a redesigned logo, AI-driven visuals, and upgraded packaging, reflecting the company’s evolving position in the gifting sector.

Flowwow’s CEO and Co-founder, Slava Bogdan, explained: “From our roots as a flower delivery service, Flowwow has evolved into a marketplace for gifts and emotions in over 30 countries. [Our] strategic vision has become the cornerstone of our rebranding. Flowwow remains the platform that blends the best of both worlds: the personal touch of local entrepreneurs and the convenience of cutting-edge technology. We’ve redefined the gifting experience, making it effortless, enjoyable, and truly personal”.

flowwow rebrand design

The company has utilized AI to break away from conventional design limitations, resulting in a more dynamic and engaging brand presence. By leveraging Midjourney’s neural networks, Flowwow generated thousands of images to assist designers in ideating the new identity, accelerating the creative process by up to 20%.

As part of its rebranding, Flowwow aims to expand into a full-service global gifting platform, offering both innovation and convenience. Recognizing the potential of e-gifting in the MENA region, Flowwow is planning to onboard additional local vendors while expanding product lines to over 25 categories to suit regional preferences, including pastries, indoor plants, fragrances, hamper boxes, and home decor.

Also Read: Adobe Releases Firefly Generative AI Video Tools In Beta

The company is also committed to supporting local businesses, working with SMEs to drive economic growth in the MENA region’s burgeoning e-commerce sector. Research indicates that the UAE’s gifting market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.7% through 2029, while the overall e-commerce market will rise by 8.63% annually, reaching $10.56 billion by the same year.

Flowwow aims to capitalize on this growth by expanding further into the MENA region and further afield by 2024-2025.