IBIC contest kicks off soon

Partnership between Berytech and Intel

The second annual Intel Berytech Innovation Challenge, IBIC, has been launched.

Krystel Khalil, Programs Coordinator at Berytech, said the competition rises to the international level, which will provide participants with a wider exposure.

IBIC was founded to allow young local entrepreneurs to participate in the Intel Global Challenge, a worldwide Intel and UC Berkeley competition for university students, graduates, and young entrepreneurs who present innovative technology business plans.

“Applicants are presenting very good ideas following the latest technologies' end trends such as mobile applications development industries,” said Khalil. She said that there are more applicants this year: “The projects are more serious, with more commitment. We are expecting more than 50 participants.” Only four winners will be selected.

The winners will represent Lebanon in the Intel Global Challenge regional finals held in Dubai in June 2013. “Getting to Dubai will provide applicants with a very valuable exposure and networking opportunity,” Khalil said.

Winners will also get expert advice, mentoring, and training through a workshop for business model improvement, led by international experts. They will also be up for enrollment in an incubation program at Berytech.

A local jury will examine the projects, and the shortlisted teams will be able to exhibit their ideas from June 19 to 21 at the Intel Regional Finals in Dubai.

At the competition in Silicon Valley, expected in October 2013, student teams from around the world will compete for $100,000 in prize money and receive direct feedback from leaders in the Silicon Valley entrepreneur community.