Badeel pre-incubator: Three Lebanese students at the University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

For Hussein el-Hajj, Jalal Harb, and Zahraa Shamas, the adventure continues and under good auspices.

The student-entrepreneurs were winners of the 3rd edition of the Badeel pre-incubator of the Francophone Employability Center affiliated with the International Organization of Francophonie (AUF) last July.

Because of this, they benefited from a one-week stay in Besançon, under the supervision of Pascale Brenet, director of the Student Hub for Innovation, Transfer, and Entrepreneurship (Pepite) Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (BFC).

Composed of the seven higher education institutions of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, it is one of the 29 Pepites established by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Launching in March 2014, it offers a range of awareness, training and support actions for students and young graduates.

The Awfarli app, created by Hajj and Harb, is already very successful. In just one year, it has more than 60,000 users in Lebanon and major suppliers such as al-Makhazen and Foodies. However, these figures are expected to rise soon. The two young men are preparing to enter the French market in the next two months.

Punctuated by numerous highlights, their stay in Besançon allowed them to meet key players, explore prospects of expansion in France this year, and, as Hajj explained, return home with "something tangible. "

"As its name suggests, our app aims to facilitate shopping both for consumers and supermarkets by offering real-time price comparisons, a smooth ordering system, and actionable market information," he said.

Consumers benefit from instant price comparisons, while supermarkets have access to a robust dashboard with real-time updates on competitors' prices. Consequently, the application favors a more transparent, competitive, and convenient shopping experience for all parties involved.

"During our stay, we essentially held meetings to discuss collaboration opportunities with potential clients who might be attracted to our service. Several expressed interest, especially as there is currently inflation and French citizens are looking to save. This factor prompted us to enter the French market, set up our company there, and sign contracts with French companies," he stated. "We also benefited from an intensive BootCamp."

"It was an excellent experience because we received mentoring, advice, and practical exercises with business and technology experts," he added. "We also connected with students and entrepreneurs who broadened our perspective and shared their views on our own project. Thus, we discovered the difference between the Lebanese and French markets, learning what we can do differently in our project to serve French citizens."

This experience not only strengthened the project of the two young entrepreneurs but also allowed them to network. A crucial point, emphasized by Harb, for whom being at the heart of such a rich and diverse ecosystem was extremely rewarding.

"It is essential to be able to build connections both in Lebanon and abroad to expand," Harb said. "Because of course, ideas are worth nothing without their implementation."

When asked about the added value of this trip, the duo's response was quick: "The other entrepreneurs and project leaders we had the opportunity to meet. Being able to exchange with them, benefiting from their insights and feedback is a real plus."

Ambitious, the two want to seize all opportunities to succeed in the medium and long term and now aim to increase the number of users on their mobile app in Lebanon. They also aspire to partner with the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and help automate its processes, as well as explore the potential of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, aiming to prove that the adjective "impossible" has no place in entrepreneurial jargon.

A unique opportunity for learning and exchanges

"Fruitful and unforgettable." That's how Zahraa Shamas, 22, described her stay in France.

Co-founder of ZFX, a pioneering start-up based in Lebanon specializing in cinematic and theatrical special effects makeup, the young English-speaking entrepreneur initially faced a language barrier, but she said that the experience was "a unique opportunity for learning and exchanges" taking various forms, from inspiring encounters to captivating testimonies from other young entrepreneurs, through training sessions, the bootcamp, working groups, mentoring, and stimulating interactive activities organized.

"It was one of the most enriching experiences of my professional development so far," she stated.

"The two-day intensive bootcamp allowed me to further clarify my value proposition, network, build meaningful relationships, share my experience with young entrepreneurs who have the same profile as me, discover new ideas, new business models, see how French start-ups operate, what their challenges are, learn from the experiences and mistakes of different participants from diverse backgrounds, such as Spain or Colombia. Moreover, it encouraged me to think, explore things from another perspective, especially French, but also to plan actions and define new steps in my entrepreneurial journey."

One of these new actions will soon be realized. Shamas will collaborate, alongside a young French entrepreneur she met, on an exhibition that the latter will soon organize in Dijon. She will handle the special effects.

In parallel, she will continue to lead her various projects, including her collaboration with VEGO Media Production, her workshops within the framework of the Special Effect Academy with the Shams space. Also on the agenda is a trip to Germany to explore the potential offered by the German market.

"Overall, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, for this experience, and for being able to learn how to improve and develop my business," she said.