This document provides an overview of incentives and Lebanon's technology ecosystem to encourage technology entrepreneurs and investors. It highlights benefits such as lower engineering costs compared to Western countries and access to the global Lebanese diaspora network. The document also outlines specific incentives from the Central Bank and Investment Development Authority, lists successful Lebanese startups, technology incubators and accelerators, and details Lebanon's fiber infrastructure and skilled workforce. The goal is to showcase opportunities for international companies to establish operations in Lebanon.

1. Technology Investments’ Incentives In Lebanon
Enabling Smart-Low Cost R&D Engineering Services
Jan 27th , 2017 vr. 2
Proprietary Material belongs to Raja George Rouhana Younes
The World’s New Silicon Valley
Technology Entrepreneurs &
Investors Guide

2. Dedication
This book is dedicated to the Greater Lebanon, 16 millions Lebanese
expats, especially who are working in the technology fields and
looking to learn about the Lebanese technology ecosystem.
Raja George Younes
www.startupsfund.org
rajayounes@gmail.com | +961 70 853 356
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3. Mission
This guide helps you find an interested 331 compliant bank or
VC and create your Lebanese startup supported by the latest
incentives granted by the Lebanese Government and
Financial Institutions. The targeted audience for this guide
are:
• American, European, Asian, African, Lebanese National
and Lebanese immigrants
• Founder of a start-up based outside Lebanon, having a
promising business that is past the early stage
• Have already established an overseas company
• Would consider launching an operation in Lebanon
• Would consider raising equity capital from investors in
Lebanon
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Stay Connected

4. Why Lebanon?
Pages
Incentives & Ecosystem
• Multiple Benefits For American & European Companies………………………………………………………………………………...6
• Annual Wages of Software Engineers ………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………7
• Additional Benefits ………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………….8
• Incentives Granted By BDL & IDAL For Technology Entrepreneurs & Investors …………………………………….…….9,10
• Major Foreign Investments To Note In 2014 | 2015……………………….……………………….……………………………………..11
• Major Foreign Investments & Customers To Note ……………………….……………………….……………………………………….12
• Distribution Of Foreign Companies In Lebanon By Country Of Origin (%Share|2014|2015)………………………… 13
• Successful Lebanese Startups ………………………………………………..……….……………………………………….……………….… 14
• Recent Startups Exists …………………………………….………………………………….……………………….………………………………. 15
• Lebanese Immigrants Success Stories ………………………………….…….…………………………………………………………………16
• What Experts Say About Lebanon ………………………………….……………………….…………………………………………………… 17
• Lebanon’s Technology Ecosystem ………………………………….……………………….……………………………………………………. 18
• The Strategy Of The Central Bank ………………………………….……………………….…………………………………………………….19
– Power Up Your Startup, Start-ups’ Funding Process .………………….……………………….………………………………. 19
• 331 Mechanism Diagram ……………….……………………….……………………………….……………………….………………………….20
• 331 Eligibility ……….……………………………….………………………………………………………….……………………….………………….21
• Ventures Capitals - Beirut’s Tech Pot Is Growing ………………………………….……………………….………………………….22,23
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5. Why Lebanon?
Pages
• Main Technology Incubators & Accelerators In Lebanon ………………………………….……………………….………………….24
• Coding Schools, Entrepreneurs Competitions & Support, Startups Exhibitions ……….………………………………..…. 25
• Startups Funding Organizations Per Stage ……….……………………………….…………………….……………………………….….. 26
• Lebanese Professional Immigrants Programs For Lebanon ………………………………….……………………….……………...27
• Fiber To Home FTTH & More ……………………………….………….…………….……………………………………………………………..28
• Regional Internet Penetration Rate ………………………………….……………………….……………………………………………….…29
• UNCTAD B2C E-Commerce Index In 2016 ………………………………….……………………….……………………………………...…30
• Facts In Charts Gathered From Multiple Sources Like The World Bank Reports......................................31,32,33
• Software Technologies Used By Local Firms………………………………….…………………..…………………………………………..34
• Hardware Engineering Services Used By Local Firms ..……………….…………………..…………………………………………..…35
• Payroll Taxes & Social Security Contributions …………………..………………….………………..…….…………………………..36,37
• Invest In Lebanon & Connect To The Mena Region ………………………………….……………………….…………………………. 38
• Lebanese Life Style ………………………………….………………….….…………………………………………….……. 39,40, 41,42,43,44
• Contact Information , Views by 49 Countries For The Guide………………………………………………………………………….45
Material Sources: Word Bank Data, World Economic Forum, CNN Money, Global Competitiveness Report,
Financial Times, Lebanese governmental organizations, Ministry of Economy and Trade, IDAL, Global 50
5Proprietary Material belongs to Raja George Rouhana Younes

6. Multiple Benefits For American & European
Companies
• To profit from the Lebanese high quality engineering skills.
Especially that Math & Science education in Lebanon was
ranked 5th Globally by the World Economic Forum (2012-
2013).
• Engineering services cost in Lebanon is much lower
comparing to the Americas, Europe and even India.
Enabling a new branch in Lebanon is to lower the local
R&D high development cost. Go to chart.
• To profit from the Greater Lebanon, global Lebanese
network & business development potentials in new
regions of the world. 16 million Lebanese spread
worldwide with success stories. In addition to new markets
the Lebanese can open to you in the MENA region.
• To Profit from the Lebanese communication skills, 3
languages practiced by each Lebanese engineer: English,
French & Arabic. Other common languages are the
Armenian, Spanish, Italian, Russian and German.
6Proprietary Material belongs to Raja George Rouhana Younes
Quality of Math & Science
Education Index 2012-2013

7. To have the full version please go to our website
www.startupsfund.org
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