The LEE Experience

As a business incubator, we have designed several business incubation and acceleration programs for pre-seed and seed phases in a physical, hybrid, and online format to create a supportive ecosystem where innovative ideas can flourish and diverse voices can be heard. We believe in the potential of the next generation of entrepreneurs and the positive impact can have on our communities, especially for youth and women. Our support and offers: 

• Ideation and capacity building
• Feasibility Studies/Business Plan
• Tech Product Design
• Marketing and Communication Strategies
• Professional Business Management Training
• Access to Market & Business to Business linkages
• Apprenticeship
• Co-working space 
• Access to Finance and Connection with Investors

These offers are divided into three programs as follows:

Pre-Seed Programme:  A pathway of 18 months We will help you to generate and validate your business idea, write your business plan, pitch deck, and the financial model, and link you with the pre-seed fund opportunities.

Accelerator Programme:  A pathway of 4 months to accomplish your ambition and embark on your national, regional, and globally sustainable journey.

Zowada Digital Accelerator Programme: The program's goal is to create an enabling environment for the development and adoption of clean technology in the agriculture and agri-food sector. This will drive changes towards a low-carbon economy and promote sustainable growth.

Our presence in Lebanon—Through our journey, The LEE Experience has a presence in all governorates, especially many projects in Bekaa, Baalbek—Hermel, as an implementer partner of many projects such as interagency community, ILO, AAH, Mada, UTOPIA, Oxfam, Relief International, Kvinna till Kvinna, CAWTAR, IFC, Netherland embassy, Canada embassy, GIZ, Renee Mouawad Foundation, Berytech, LWR, Yemen Microfinance Network, UNIFIL, International Alert, and USAID. This gives us an excellent understanding of the context and its challenges and needs. 

Furthermore, we built an extensive network with the ecosystem, including different actors, stakeholders, and partners such as local authorities, ministries and municipalities, NGOs, the Private sector, and municipalities. In addition, our physical branches in Beirut, South, Bekaa, and North ( under construction) are a visible symbol of our presence and commitment to positively impacting the region.

50% of our field staff from South, Bekaa, and Akkar, especially field workers, trainers, and coaches, give us an extra touch of localization and understanding of the target audience's profile. We have established relationships with local governments, businesses, and communities to ensure that our services are inclusive and accessible to all people, especially marginalized communities we also have a strong online presence, with an active website and social media accounts that allow us to reach out to people from all walks of life. Since its establishment, The LEE Experience has implemented 29 projects. These projects served over 10,000 beneficiaries from North, Akkar, Bekaa, Baalbeck-Hermel, South, and BML for a total budget exceeding 2 million US Dollars with strong partnerships and funders. 

Founders with more than 20 years of experience in the Lebanese context and socio-economic development of youth and women, in addition to an integrated private sector model, manage the LEE Experience. In addition to a headcount of 28 employees with 7 to 20 years of experience with a background in livelihood, gender,  Entrepreneurship, IGA support, soft skills, institutional strength, microfinance, social enterprises, innovation, capacity building, Marketing, and digital transformation. 

Our pool of experts is accredited by international, regional, and National entities, such as ILO certificates of Certified Trainers on SIYB ( Start & Improve your Business), MFB ( My First Business), WDB ( Women Do Business), MMW ( Making Microfinance Work, Management to Improve Performance), FE ( Financial Education), Certified Coaches for Startups and IGA, Certified Curriculum Development, and Certified Gender Audit.

Licensees and accredited for the MENA region of Leadership Management International (LMI) as MOC Personal and Business Mentorship, EPP, and PPP, and Certified Trainer on Women's leadership from Women World Banking.

The LEE Experience has a presence in the inter-agency networks and community as an LCRP partner and livelihood Core group active member for 2023 & 2025 and Social Stability Core group active member for 2024

The LEE Experience is a member of Lebanon's conflict sensitivity and social stability forum.