Inside the USEK Entrepreneurship Challenge – UEC 2026
By Rita Kassab on 19 May, 2026
Inside the USEK Entrepreneurship Challenge – UEC 2026
This year, the USEK Entrepreneurship Challenge (UEC) 2026 brought together students from both Zahle and Kaslik campuses on a journey of creativity, learning, and entrepreneurial growth. From hands-on workshops to mentorship and high-stakes competitions, students explored their ideas, tested solutions, and pushed their limits, all while preparing to represent USEK and Lebanon on the global stage of the Babson Collaborative Student Challenge.
Zahle Campus: Three Days of Creativity and Collaboration
At Zahle, the journey unfolded through an intensive three-day hackathon, where seven teams worked continuously over three consecutive days to develop and refine their ideas. The experience combined interactive workshops delivered by the ACIE team, covering problem-solution fit, stakeholder empathy, business modeling, and pitching and with hands-on application in a fast-paced environment.
Throughout the hackathon, participants were supported by dedicated mentors including Joe Akiki, Bachir Mallo, Wissam Sawaya, and Jad Akl, who provided real-time guidance, feedback, and strategic direction as teams iterated under pressure.
On the final day, teams also received a dedicated pitching training delivered by Nathalie Khoury, helping them sharpen their storytelling, structure their presentations, and prepare for the final stage of the hackathon.
The experience then culminated in a final pitching competition, evaluated by a distinguished jury composed of Aline Saikaly, Joseph Chibani, Julie Abdelky, Marleine Daher, and Nancy Saliba. Following an intense round of presentations, Simplifier was selected as the Zahle campus winner with its AI-powered smart pacifier designed to improve infant care, reflecting the creativity, preparation, and resilience demonstrated throughout the three-day challenge.
Kaslik Campus: A Two-Month Journey of Growth and Mentorship
At Kaslik, the UEC experience was structured as a two-month program, bringing together 11 competing teams in a more in-depth and iterative learning journey. Participants engaged in five interactive workshops spread across the program, while mentorship sessions ran in parallel on a weekly basis, ensuring continuous support and development.
This dual approach allowed teams to progressively refine their ideas, validate assumptions, and strengthen their business models over time. The journey was supported by a strong network of mentors, including Hani Haidar, Jacob Ismael, Margot Wehbe, Adib Abboud, Amir Saab, Cendrella Antoun, Nicholas Gholam, Romy Massaad, Ralph Khairallah, Jad Akl, Reda Helbawi, Melanie Kadi, and Zeina Hayek Hajj, whose diverse expertise enriched the learning experience and guided teams at every stage.
The program concluded with a final competition, where teams presented their fully developed solutions to a panel of distinguished judges: Prof. Joseph Al Assad, Dean of the School of Engineering at USEK; Prof. Danielle Khalife, Dean of the USEK Business School; Prof. Ranya Salameh, Dean of the USEK Doctoral College; and Nancy Saliba , PhD, Director of ACIE.
Following a competitive evaluation process, Inara was selected as the Kaslik campus winner with its portable solar-powered emergency energy kit, highlighting the impact of sustained mentorship, structured learning, and continuous iteration.
Mentorship and Community: Building More Than Ideas
At the core of UEC 2026 was a strong and diverse support system, bringing together faculty members, ACIE alumni, industry experts, and ecosystem partners. This collective effort played a critical role in shaping the participants’ journey, not only by strengthening their ideas, but by developing their mindset, confidence, and ability to navigate real-world challenges.
The importance of this ecosystem goes beyond the competition itself. By connecting students with experienced mentors and professionals, UEC creates a bridge between academia and practice, equipping participants with the tools, perspectives, and networks needed to grow beyond the program and continue their entrepreneurial journey.
From Local to Global: Representing Lebanon on the World Stage
UEC 2026 is the only local Lebanese stage of the Babson Collaborative Global Student Challenge, a worldwide platform connecting universities, mentors, and student innovators. This year, Simplifier and Inara will advance to the global stage, representing USEK and Lebanon among teams from over 30 countries.
The global competition offers students the opportunity to engage with international mentors, refine solutions for a broader audience, and showcase the creativity and entrepreneurial talent emerging from Lebanon.
Celebrating Innovation, Growth, and Impact
From Zahle’s hackathon energy to Kaslik’s months of mentorship and preparation, UEC 2026 has been a transformative journey. Students strengthened skills, built connections, and demonstrated that with guidance, collaboration, and perseverance, ideas can become solutions with real-world impact.
We congratulate Simplifier, Inara, and all participating teams for their achievements. As they step onto the global Babson stage, they carry not only their innovative ideas but also the spirit, creativity, and entrepreneurial excellence of USEK and Lebanon.
