Tag Archives: conference

What is a Startup?

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We’ve been asked a number of times to explain and define what a startup is. What criteria make up a startup? If you search the Internet for an answer, you will find several opinions and discussions on how to define a startup company.

The questions being asked are if the age of the company defines a startup, the number of employees it has, its management structure, or the revenue it generates. Is it all the above combined?

Let us take a look at an example:

Uber is a company that has been around for 6 years, is valued at over $50 billion, operates in approximately 60 countries and has tens of thousands of employees worldwide. Is it still classified as a startup company? If you ask Uber, they would say yes. Many would argue otherwise based on the number of years it has been around and its value. However, others would argue that it still is classified as a startup since it still is growing rapidly, while discovering the services to offer and its customers.

Many startup founders believe that startups are not defined by metrics but that it’s a state of mind and culture that classifies a company as a startup. What does that mean? Well, when people join a startup company, they decide to sacrifice stability in exchange for the potential to grow tremendously and for the excitement of being a part of something that is making an instantaneous impact on the world.

A startup does not have to be tech-oriented but one thing everyone agrees on is its ability to grow. A startup company is designed to scale very quickly unconstrained by geography and this is a quality that startups have that differentiates them from small businesses. Hence, a little fashion boutique in one town is not considered a startup. Another characteristic everyone agrees on to classify a company as a startup is that success is not guaranteed and there is a constant risk in investing in the company.

In conclusion, we would define startups as high-risk innovative business ideas created to solve an issue, which could either result in massive success or failure.

 

Be a Part of BDL Accelerate 2015!

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BDL Accelerate 2015 is right around the corner! If you want to get in on the action and be a part of it, now is the time to apply!

Here are the multiple ways you can be a part of BDL Accelerate 2015:

Be a speaker at BDL Accelerate 2015
Our aim is to bring the most relevant, interesting, inspiring, and educational stories to the conference. We’re looking for aspiring leaders whose experiences will impact others. You will have the opportunity to share your experience, insight, failures, successes, and the challenges you faced in order to support and benefit the startup ecosystem.

The 3,000 attendees are entrepreneurs, including 100 startups from around the globe, and 100 VCs, angels, and investors with over US $250 million to deploy. We are seeking talks aimed at all segments of our audience.

If you have a startup experience to share, we encourage you to apply now.

Give a Workshop at BDL Accelerate 2015
During the 2-day international startup conference, 2 spaces will be dedicated solely to hosting a series of third-party workshops. We are looking for experienced people who can provide hands-on workshops relevant to the startup ecosystem that would benefit our 3,000 attendees. Our audience includes entrepreneurs, including 100 startups from around the globe, and 100 VCs, angels, and investors. Topics may range from idea generation, to business funding & development, to marketing and branding, and more.

If you are interested in hosting a workshop, apply here.

Exhibit at BDL Accelerate 2015
Get your product or service noticed by 3,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals from over 30 countries around the world.

Attendees of BDL Accelerate 2015 will see 100 startup exhibitors including international support institutions.

The exhibit pavilions are a key part of our attendees’ BDL Accelerate experience. You will get to display your product or services to enthusiasts, discuss with them, and network with investors and seasoned entrepreneurs. Attendees are encouraged to visit the pavilions throughout the 2-day event. The pavilions are strategically placed in areas that would increase traffic directly to your booth.

For additional information and to apply, click here.

What to expect at BDL Accelerate 2015

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The theme for BDL Accelerate 2015 being “Emerging Startup Ecosystems,” Lebanon’s 2nd international startup conference will be bringing together influential stakeholders from startup ecosystems from 9 key cities – London, Istanbul, New York, Tehran, Berlin, Cairo, Singapore, Madrid, and Beirut. An exceptional set of startups, venture capitalists, accelerators, policy makers, and more will represent the 9 ecosystems that will each have its own pavilion to showcase its institutions.

There will be 2 stages at the conference, one of which will be dedicated to panels, keynotes, and fireside chats as a space for 100 influential speakers from over 30 countries to share their best practices, discuss the challenges they faced during the developing stages of their ecosystems, and exchange their knowledge. The aim of the valuable engagement and knowledge shared on this stage will be a great stepping stone for the Lebanese ecosystem to thrive through learning from the trials and errors of other ecosystems.

The second stage will be dedicated to the startup pitches as part of the two competitions BDL Accelerate 2015 is hosting dedicated for idea stage startups and early stage startups. The aim of these competitions is to educate and provide tools to aspiring entrepreneurs and to assist them in succeeding, as well as to find the best startup in the local scene.

Applications for the Idea Stage Startup Competition are currently open until (updated) November 1. Once teams are selected, successful applicants will be notified to partake in a series of weekly workshops over the span of 5 weeks, around the “Reimagine Lebanon” theme. The workshops are offered by SETT, a think tank focused on enabling emerging startup ecosystems, empowering youth with the entrepreneurial skills to develop solutions for a better Lebanon. The participating teams will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges in front of an audience during Banque du Liban Accelerate 2015 for the chance to win 5,000 USD. To be eligible, one may be of any age and background with the will to learn new methods of thought and passionately wants to create an impact in their community.

The 2nd competition, the Early Stage Startup Competition, features a pitch competition for early stage startups. The deadline for applying for this competition is November 9th, from which the selected startups will pitch at Banque du Liban Accelerate 2015 for a chance to win 10,000 USD in cash, and the opportunity to win a trip to a top tier international startup competition.

Early Stage Startup Competition details announced!

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BDL Accelerate 2015 is offering an enticing and exciting opportunity for early stage startups by exclusively hosting an Early Stage Startup Competition!

The aim of the competition is to find the best startup in Lebanon’s emerging and fast growing startup scene. Banque du Liban has been supporting startups in Lebanon during the past couple of years, which in return has provided startups with a boost and made Beirut a strategic hub for startups.

The selected startups will pitch on the main stage of the conference in front of a panel of international judges. The winning startup will win a trip to participate in a top tier international startup competition in addition to a $10,000 cash prize.

The participating startups will receive regional media coverage and have the opportunity to meet with potential partners and peers. Applying startups must be in the early stage, from any field, or profit, and prepared to talk about their startup in public in English.

If your startup fits the criteria apply before November 9th and find out if you are selected to compete at BDL Accelerate 2015 on November 12th.

This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

To apply click here

Announcing BDL Accelerate 2015

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Following the success of Banque du Liban Accelerate 2014 in establishing Lebanon as an international startup hub, with over 1,600 entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals attending a 2-day conference featuring 53 speakers, 34 startups, 48 partners, and 72 exhibitors, the Central Bank of Lebanon (Banque du Liban / BDL) is organizing Lebanon’s second annual international startup conference – BDL Accelerate 2015 – on Thursday and Friday, the 10th and 11th of December 2015 at Forum de Beyrouth.

“Emerging Startup Ecosystems”, the theme for 2015, will gather entrepreneurs, investors, and support institutions from key emerging startup ecosystems across 5 continents. BDL Accelerate 2015 will host 3,000 attendees, 100 speakers, 100 exhibitors, and 100 startups from around the world, with 2 stages, 2 startup competitions, 2 workshop spaces, in a total conference space spanning 6,000 sqm.

Registration is free while tickets last. Register now to secure your participation in Lebanon and the Arab World’s largest and most significant startup conference.