On August 3, 2024, under a radiant sun and a sky of unparalleled clarity, the air in Benghazi was imbued with excitement and anticipation. The pleasant weather mirrored the high energy of the occasion as young entrepreneurs gathered for the culmination of their incubation journey with SPARK and the Asarya Business Incubator. The atmosphere was characterised by a blend of enthusiasm and apprehension as 21 startups competed for a total seed funding of 100,000 Euros. Only 10 startups would ultimately secure a portion of this funding. For many, this event marked the culmination of months of intensive incubation, encompassing training, strategic planning, and personal development.

“The atmosphere is truly exceptional. It is a pleasure to be here with the entrepreneurs and partners after their extensive journey of training and learning to reach this stage. We extend our best wishes for success to all the companies participating today,” Aynur Hussei, Libya Satrtup Programme Lead at SPARK.

Founded in January 2024 as part of the Libya Startup Programme, funded by the European Union, the Asarya Business Incubator provides a dynamic environment for young Libyan entrepreneurs to realise their potential. This incubator offers a comprehensive incubation system that includes capacity-building training, access to financial resources, and opportunities for networking with investors, decision-makers, and other entrepreneurial stakeholders.

Over 380 startups applied to join the incubator, of which 26 were selected for the chance to benefit from six months of intensive training and personalised mentoring sessions. The startups represent a wide array of business sectors, including education, agriculture, culinary, e-commerce, health, marketing and more.

During the event, SPARK and our partner, Asarya, welcomed startups, investors, business incubators, accelerators, and industry experts from both private and public sectors. The Asarya Competition Day marked the conclusion of Asarya Startup Competition which has incubated a cohort of 26 early-stage startups over the past six months. The ceremony was opened by Ahmed Alomami, project manager at Asarya Business Incubator, who commended the entrepreneurs’ commitment and hard-work over the course of the incubation programme.

“This day is not only a celebration of the winners, but rather a celebration of everyone for your dedication and hard-work. We had some tough moments together, but also moments of joy and fun. I’m so proud that I get to know all of you and I can’t wait to see what your businesses will achieve in the future,” said Alomami while addressing the entrepreneurs in his opening remarks.

During the pitching day, a distinguished panel of judges, including co-founder and CEO of ION Osama Ben Khayal, CEO of Sadeem Mohammed Elgazali, SPARK’s Project Lead Aynur Hussien, SPARK’s Incubator Manager Mussa Aleskandrani, Asarya’s Project Manager Ahmed Alomami, attentively listened to the business pitches presented by the top 21 teams. 

After careful evaluation, the judges selected the ten most outstanding teams and awarded them seed funding with a total of $100,000. 

Meet the Winners

Your Doctor To Your Home

Founded in 2019, Your Doctor To Your Home is a domiciliary-care business which provides professional health support and medical assistance to patients within the comfort of their own home. With a team of highly trained healthcare professionals, the enterprise prioritizes patient-centered care, ensuring that individuals receive tailored services that cater to their unique needs. Your Doctor To Your Home scored the first position in the competition, winning a prize of 20,000 EUROs.

“Although this is not our first participation in a business incubator, we consider it the best without a doubt, due to the excellence and effectiveness of the training programme, the competence of the trainers, and the good organisation and time management,” said Mohammed Al-Wared, founder and CEO of Your Doctor To Your Home.

Al-Wared believes that the grant will have a positive impact on his business just as the training received in the incubator.

“It will put us on the right track to move forward more effectively and productively,” he added.

Green Benghazi

Established in 2023, Green Benghazi is an innovative agricultural enterprise specializing in hydroponic crop production. Despite its modest team of just four dedicated members, the startup has successfully cultivated partnerships with a variety of local restaurants and shopping centers to supply them with high-quality vegetables. Green Benghazi secured the second place in the competition, earning a prize of 20,000 EUROs.

Tafaseel (Details)

Tafaseel (a.k.a Details) works within the realm of fashion design and sewing, established in 2020. Committed to excellence, the enterprise specializes in producing high-quality garments and accessories while ensuring affordability for all. Currently composed of a team of four staff members, Tafaseel aims to fulfill its vision of becoming a leader in the fashion industry by crafting clothing products from safe, non-toxic materials, ensuring both quality and sustainability. The enterprise secured third place in the competition, where they were awarded a prize of 15,000 EUROs.

Marwa Al-Wadawi, the founder of Tafaseel, said the incubation programme “exceeded the expectations”. 

“The training was very unique compared to previous trainings I have participated in. There was great consideration for the needs of all participants. I felt like I was gaining new tools and knowledge that would enable me to improve my startup in ways I hadn’t anticipated before starting the training,” she said.

After winning the prize, Al-Wadawi plans to hire more people and expand her business.

“It will help us reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness for our company, resulting in increased sales and overall growth of the company,” she added.

House of Study

House of Study is a dynamic educational enterprise specializing in comprehensive training programs across a diverse range of subjects, including English language proficiency and medical terminology. Recognizing the varied needs of learners, it also provides online training services, making education accessible to individuals who may not be able to attend in-person sessions. With a commitment to fostering learning opportunities for all, House of Study secured fourth place in the competition, earning a prize of 10,000 EUROs

Ezzo Boutique

As a men’s fashion store, Ezzo Boutique specializes in producing a variety of clothing lines, blending casual wear with traditional garments inspired by Libya’s rich cultural heritage and national costumes. By seamlessly integrating modern fashion with traditional elements, Boutique Ezzo not only celebrates Libyan culture but also offers stylish and unique options for contemporary consumers. The enterprise achieved fifth place in a recent competition, earning a prize of 10,000 EUROs.

Dabesh

Dabash is a pioneering enterprise dedicated to sustainable clothing and fashion recycling, founded in 2022. The enterprise aims to cultivate a culture that embraces the buying and selling of pre-owned garments while promoting the recycling of textiles. By fostering awareness and encouraging responsible fashion practices, Dabash was recognized for its unique business model as it secured sixth place in the competition, earning a prize of 5,000 EUROs,

Rawasi

Established in 2022, Rawasi is a dynamic enterprise dedicated to the architecture sector. Its mission is to empower aspiring architects by providing a range of educational opportunities, including courses, workshops, and capacity-building training sessions. These programs are thoughtfully designed to cover the latest advancements and trends in architecture, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the field. Rawasi achieved seventh place in the competition, earning a prize of 5,000 EUROs.

Why Studio

Why Studio is a creative media agency, specializing in the production of distinctive visual content that empowers institutions, companies, and business owners—particularly startups—in effectively telling their brand stories. Why Studio offers a range of services, including tailored brand identity design, photography, and video production. Since its foundation in 2021, Why Studio has successfully partnered with over 50 startups, enhancing their marketing efforts and enabling them to communicate their visions and values through compelling visual narratives. It achieved eighth place in a recent competition, earning a prize of 5,000 EUROs.

DEAL

DEAL is an enterprise in the realm of online marketing with a strong emphasis on creativity and innovation. The company prioritizes the establishment of strategic partnerships with its clients, as it collaborates with businesses working in diverse sectors including airlines, TV broadcasting, reconstruction, etc.  DEAL won a prize of 5,000 EUROs as it secured ninth place  in the competition.

Evento

Founded in 2020, Evento is an e-platform that serves as a comprehensive guide for organizing events, whether private (like weddings and birthdays) or public (such as conferences and seminars). Through its mobile app, users can access information about suppliers offering catering, venues, and other logistical services, allowing them to actively participate in event planning. Suppliers can also register to promote their services and connect with customers. Evento secured tenth place in the competition, earning a prize of 5,000 EUROs. 

The path extends

Building on the success of the inaugural batch of the incubation programme, SPARK and Asarya Business Incubator announced at the ceremony that applications are now open for local SMEs and startups to join the next round of the programme. The call for applications aims to enrol 30 startups, which will compete for a total of 120,000 EUROs.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved with the startups during the first round of the programme. There are a lot of lessons learned as well which we intend to bring with us to the second round to enhance the quality of work and provide the best experience possible for entrepreneurs,” said Hazem Adam, admin manager at Asarya Business Incubator.

The Libya Startup Programme is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in Libya. Funded by the European Union and executed in partnership with Super Novae, the programme offers a range of support including mentoring and incubation services, training and workshops, networking opportunities, and access to funding. By addressing the need for effective business development services, the programme plays a crucial role in supporting the growth of start-ups and fostering economic resilience in Libya.