SPARK is proud to announce an exciting opportunity for young entrepreneurs and startups in East Libya. With generous funding from the European Union under the Libya Startup programme, SPARK has launched two newly established business incubators in Benghazi and Al-Bayda. These incubators are part of a broader effort to strengthen Libya’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing aspiring business owners with the necessary resources, mentorship, and funding to transform their ideas into successful enterprises.

The Libya Startup programme, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by SPARK and Super Novae, is designed to support startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) across Libya, particularly in less accessible areas. The programme focuses on fostering entrepreneurship, economic recovery, and job creation by offering training, incubation services, networking opportunities, and financial support to promising young entrepreneurs. Through this initiative, SPARK aims to drive sustainable business growth and innovation, equipping Libya’s youth with the tools to succeed in a competitive market.

The call is open to Libyan nationals and refugees residing in Libya between the ages of 18 and 35. This initiative seeks to empower young entrepreneurs by providing them with essential skills, networking opportunities, and access to potential investors.

Asarya Business Incubator – Benghazi

SPARK, in partnership with ASARYA Consulting and Training, recently launched the new Asarya Business Incubator in Benghazi, Libya; a space for young Libyan entrepreneurs to unleash their potential through a comprehensive incubation system that offers a wide range of opportunities tailored to their startup development needs, including capacity-building trainings, access to finance, networking with investors, decision-makers and entrepreneurial stakeholders.

Attending the launch of the incubator, Federica Petrucci, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Libya, said: “Libya Start-up! is particularly relevant for the EU and for Libya as it is intended to support the emergence of a dynamic, innovative and sustainable startup ecosystem, by defining specific mechanisms for long-term engagement, multiplication and continuous support to SMEs, business initiatives and young aspiring entrepreneurs.”

The incubator has attracted an impressive response so far, with over 380 entrepreneurs vying for the chance to benefit from six months of intensive training and personalised mentoring sessions.  The vast majority of applicants are young people and 44% are women. The startups represent a wide array of business sectors, including education, agriculture, culinary, e-commerce, health, marketing and more.

As the young startups embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, they are guided through the ideation and capacity-building stage, followed by two months of mentoring. Finally culminating in a startup pitch competition where the winning entrepreneurs will receive startup capital, financed by the EU, to further develop, grow and take their business ideas to the next level.

For more information about the incubator and how to apply, entrepreneurs can register through this link, and follow the Facebook page of Asarya Business Incubator.

Silphium Labs – Al-Bayda

SPARK, in partnership with Omar Al-Mokhtar University, has launched Silphium Labs, the first business incubator in Al-Bayda. This incubator is focused on fostering innovation, empowering young entrepreneurs, and creating sustainable job opportunities in the region.

The establishment of the incubator in Al-Bayda specifically came as part of SPARK and the European Union’s relief efforts to support communities and businesses affected by Storm Daniel in September 2023. Derna, a port city neighboring Al-Bayda was severely devastated by the storm, which caused massive flooding, infrastructure collapse, and severe job losses. According to UNOCHA, at least 4,000 people lost their lives, and another 8,000 remain missing. Many businesses in Derna were either destroyed or severely impacted, making it difficult for small enterprises to recover.

On 15 November 2023, SPARK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Omar Al-Mokhtar University to establish Silphium Labs within the university. This incubator will support youth in developing entrepreneurship skills and specifically benefit internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Derna and other affected cities. By providing training, funding, and incubation support, Silphium Labs plays a crucial role in Derna’s economic recovery, offering young entrepreneurs opportunities to rebuild and contribute to their communities.

For more information about the incubator and how to apply, entrepreneurs can register through this link.

By fostering innovation and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in economically fragile regions like Libya, SPARK is advancing SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Through tailored support, mentorship, and funding opportunities, SPARK empowers small enterprises to scale sustainably, contributing to economic recovery, job creation, and community resilience, particularly in areas affected by recent crises. As these incubators continue to nurture Libya’s next generation of entrepreneurs, they will play a crucial role in driving long-term economic stability and growth.