Beiruting News

The Changemaker Festival, which has become one of the Middle East's biggest events for youth and women, was held this year in Downtown Beirut at District//S, on October 5th and 6th. With more than 1,000 millennials from Lebanon and abroad, influencers, CEO's, executives and youth leaders gathered in one place to explore how entrepreneurship can change the world. Winners for the startups competitions were announced and the biggest most-anticipated winner was announced on October 5th for the Hult Prize Finals at the Impact awards ceremony.

Organized by Changemaker and WLC (the Women's Leadership Council), this year's festival featured many competitions, advise and winners chosen by professional judges. For the Startup Competitions, more than $350,000 of funding for youth and women were offered to the winners Basma, Life Lab, Lemonade Fashion, Third Budy, Smart Savings and Podio. As for Hult Prize, BEEPERS won $250,000 for their startup which is a do-it-yourself beekeeping kit that enables anyone to produce and sell honey.

In addition to the competitions, leading CEOs from around the world gave talks and tips for the youth and women on how to own their business and excel in their career. Moreover, free education on the most relevant topics was offered for youth and women at the Rapid Learning Center. As for the workshops and panels, they were given by more than 40 women-led business, who shared their experiences with the attendees. 

The festival was full of people eager to learn who attended the workshops and talks while enjoying the food court, containing more than 12 booths featuring the best that Lebanon has to offer all whilst listening to live performances by Anthony Touma, Lea Makhoul and Bashaar Al Jawad.

On this occasion, Mr. Saad Azhari the Chairman of the Board and General Manager of BLOM BANK said, "Hult Prize and a lot of other movements really help to have ideas and startups to employ a future for younger generations".

The Changemaker Festival seeks to bridge the gap between youth, leading community players and top decision makers to create broad-based partnerships that inspire action. This year's edition was organized in collaboration with Hult Prize, the Central Bank of Lebanon, BLOM BANK, Kobeissi & Frangié Attorneys, Beirut Digital District, the United Nations Global Compact, and many more all working