Brate to go online in April

Lebanese technology startup to launch local business search engine

New-born Lebanese start-up technology firm, Brate, is launching a local business search engine in April.

“The Brate search engine targets the retail sector, it searches for outlets in Lebanon based on their products and services,” according to Brate co-founder Shadi Tabbara.

Shadi Tabbara and Sameeh Harfoush founded Brate s.a.r.l in 2012.

Brate is currently seeking to secure the needed funding for the project. “We need around $150,000 to launch the project,” said Tabbara.

After launching the new software and establishing its presence, Brate will turn to raise more funds through selling equity. “We have plans to expand into the whole MENA region in the coming years,” Tabbara said. Brate’s first expansion will be into the UAE, followed by the GCC, then North Africa.

Brate is currently among the 50 semi-finalists at the Arab Business Plan Competition 2012 organized by the MIT Enterprise Forum of the Pan Arab region.


by Hanadi Chami