SPARK has announced the winners of the second cohort of the Silphium Labs business incubator in Al-Bayda, Libya. The announcement marks an important milestone in the Libya Startup Programme, which is funded by the European Union and co-implemented by SPARK and Super Novae. The programme aims to support young entrepreneurs in areas of Libya that are often overlooked.

The startup competition was the final step in a two-month incubation programme that provided training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help participants improve their business ideas. From 228 applicants, 21 entrepreneurs were selected to join the incubation. After completing the programme, the participants presented their businesses to a panel of judges in a final pitching event. The top startups were awarded seed funding to grow their businesses. The selection process was carried out in close coordination with the European Union to ensure fairness and transparency.

Among the winners was Smart Tech, a startup founded by Abdullah Al-Awami, which offers internet and telecommunication services and secured first place. In second place was Nebras, an educational centre and platform launched by Abdulhamid Al-Naas. Relive, founded by Mohammed Faraj, earned third place, while DigitalHub, a coworking space and business centre founded by Raghda Tareq, came in fourth. The fifth spot went to HydroGreen, a hydroponic farming project created by Hamdi Belied. Vision Co., a marketing agency led by Bushra Ahmed, and Your Pet Care, a service connecting pet clinics and breeders founded by Salama Abdulhafiz, also received recognition for their innovative ideas and community-focused approaches.

Silphium Labs was founded in partnership with Omar Al-Mokhtar University and ION+ to strengthen the local entrepreneurial scene. The incubator also plays an important role in supporting Internally Displaced Persons and communities affected by the 2023 floods in northeastern Libya. This second cohort builds on the success of the first, launched in October last year, and continues the mission of creating new opportunities for ambitious Libyans looking to build a better future through business.

Through initiatives like Libya Startup, SPARK is working to harness local and international support for sustainable business growth in Libya. By equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and funding they need to succeed, SPARK is helping to build a more resilient and inclusive economy. These efforts not only create jobs and support livelihoods, but also contribute to broader development goals. In particular, they directly advance Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by promoting entrepreneurship, encouraging innovation, and enabling people to participate in and shape Libya’s economic transformation.