New york city: The Talal and Madiha Zein AUB Innovation Park (Zein AUB iPark), the flagship startup accelerator of the American University of Beirut (AUB), and Impersonas, a startup specializing in digital humans, co-hosted "Scale Beirut '26: Where Capital Meets Impact" in New York City as part of New York Tech Week. The curated evening brought together Lebanese founders, investors, operators, innovation leaders, and diaspora champions around investment, innovation, and global growth.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the event, held in Midtown Manhattan, attracted significant interest from both the New York and international innovation community, with 178 registered attendees from ten countries. The guest list included over sixteen investors and more than fifty founders and CEOs, with representatives from notable venture capital firms and investment organizations such as Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), DMZ, Nyca Partners, Moonshots Capital, Aegis Ventures, Apax Partners, Zeytoun Ventures, Planeteer Capital, and STS Capital Partners.
The gathering was seen as a unique opportunity for Lebanese diaspora attendees to reconnect with Lebanese talent while engaging with ventures targeting global markets. The energy in the room was described by George Yazbeck, Lebanese Emmy-winning filmmaker and founder of Narrative Square, as "warm, open, alive," creating an environment conducive to meaningful conversations.
The evening commenced with a networking icebreaker and an interactive session featuring Impersonas' live AI avatar. This was followed by an expert talk titled "Lebanon Builders: The Unfair Advantage," moderated by Michel Haddad, founder of Synova Life Sciences. The discussion featured prominent figures such as Dr. Kamal Shehadi, Lebanon's minister of technology and AI, Dr. Rich Ziade, founder of Aboard and Postlight, and Khaled Kteily, founder and CEO of Legacy.
The discussion highlighted four key advantages for Lebanese founders: diaspora reach, crisis-tested adaptability, deep talent, and institutional support. Minister Kamal Shehadi emphasized the importance of the diaspora in accessing global capital, mentors, and markets, while Dr. Ziade and Khaled Kteily spoke on the adaptability and resilience of Lebanese entrepreneurs.
Michel Haddad praised the mindset and execution culture of Lebanese founders, noting that Zein AUB iPark helps translate these qualities into scalable ventures. Zein AUB iPark Director Maha Zouwayhed emphasized the importance of collaboration over competition, with former founders returning as mentors to guide new entrepreneurs.
The event also featured direct founder engagement through a Startup Teaser session and Founder Stations, allowing guests to interact with ventures in various fields such as AI-powered digital humans, behavioral design, and healthcare monitoring.
Dr. Yousif Asfour, AUB's chief innovation officer, highlighted the quality of startups present, stressing the importance of connections for company growth. The event's interactive segment Thrill and Grill provided insights into the investment process, led by Abdo Achkar, founder of Sowlutions.
The event concluded with networking among founders, investors, and ecosystem builders, reinforcing Zein AUB iPark's role in connecting Lebanese entrepreneurial talent with global resources and opportunities.