Libya Startup

In a vibrant display of creativity and innovation, Over 100 Libyan youth gathered in Benghazi for “Clicks to Progress,” an event aimed at highlighting their role in the country’s digital transformation. Hosted by SPARK as part of the Libya Startup programme, the event featured panel discussions, workshops, and a startup exhibition, focusing on the potential of young innovators to shape the future of Libya.

After six months of intensive incubation, the first batch of the Libya Startup Programme wrapped up with a vibrant closing ceremony in Benghazi on August 3, 2024. Hosted by SPARK and the Asarya Business Incubator, the event celebrated the success of ten standout startups, awarded a total of 100,000 Euros in seed funding, funded by the European Union as part of Libya Startup programme. The ceremony not only honored the achievements of these emerging businesses but also marked the opening of applications for the next round of the incubation programme.

Malak Albadri and her brother Taha started a biscotti business, Biscotti, which grew from a humble idea to a successful family business, defying entrepreneurial norms in Libya. With determination and support, they overcame challenges and scaled their operations, becoming a household name.

Abdullah Elfandi, the founder of HydroHarvest, is paving the way for sustainable agriculture in Libya through aquaponics – a farming method that combines growing crops in water with fish farming. His goal is to help solve Libya’s food security challenges by using far less water than traditional farming and relying solely on organic, chemical-free production. With critical support from the EU-funded Libya Startup programme, implemented by SPARK and Super Novae, Abdullah was able to take his idea from concept to reality, overcoming significant technical and logistical challenges along the way.

In a rapidly evolving digital world, coding skills are no longer just an asset but a necessity. Recognising this gap in Libya, Serine Ebridah, a university student from Tripoli, founded ETA Coding, a startup that provides software training courses and workshops to aspiring developers of all levels. A simple initiative to help university peers grasp programming concepts has now grown into a thriving educational hub, equipping Libyan youth with the tools to excel in the tech industry.

Mansour Elhemri, the founder of Green Benghazi, is contributing to the growth of Libya's agricultural sector through his hydroponic farming initiative. Motivated by the need to reduce the country's reliance on imported vegetables, he established Green Benghazi to supply fresh, organic produce locally. With seed funding and support from the Asarya Business Incubator under the EU-funded Libya Startup Programme, Mansour and his team gained vital business skills, enabling them to expand operations and promote sustainability in Libya.

In a country marked by conflict and widespread stigma surrounding mental health, Dr. Yossra Ammar, a psychiatrist from Tripoli, is working to make mental well-being accessible to all. Through Mawja, an online platform dedicated to emotional health, Dr. Ammar is starting vital and necessary conversations about mental health in Libya and the broader Arab world.

The healthcare system in Libya has suffered greatly from years of conflict and instability, leaving hospitals and medical centres grappling with numerous challenges such as frequent power outages, a lack of essential medical supplies, and severe staff shortages. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated these issues, pushing the country’s medical care to the brink of collapse. In this difficult landscape, doctors face tremendous challenges daily, with the remnants of Libya’s healthcare system in disarray.

In a bustling corner of Benghazi, Marwa Al-Wadawi, a spirited entrepreneur and mother of two, is crafting more than just beautiful clothing—she is sowing the seeds of a thriving local fashion brand. Tafaseel, which translates to “details” in Arabic, embodies not only the intricate craftsmanship of high-quality children’s garments but also a vision for a more sustainable and economically independent Libya.

On 27 July 2024, the University of Benghazi hosted a seminar on entrepreneurship, organised by SPARK and the university’s Business Incubator. Over 110 participants explored business development stages and the Libya Start-Up programme, which supports local entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and incubation, boosting Libya’s economic recovery.

SPARK has announced the winners of startup competition by Silphium Labs, the first business incubator in Al-Bayda, Libya. A key milestone in the Libya Startup programme, which is funded by the European Union and co-implemented by SPARK and Super Novae to support aspiring entrepreneurs in Libya’s less accessible regions.

Abdullah Bashir, the founder and general manager of Smart Tech, is one of the young Libyan entrepreneurs charting a new course for his country’s digital future. What began in 2016 as a small, makeshift internet service project in a single building in Shahat has evolved into a fast-growing company delivering critical internet infrastructure across the Green Mountain region. This May, Smart Tech secured first place in the Silphium Labs pitching competition, winning €15,000 in seed funding under the Libya Startup Programme. More than just a financial victory, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for a company shaped by resilience, resourcefulness, and community service.