Your startup’s next stage starts here.
Venture Build is a 6-month incubation program for tech and tech-enabled startups ready to launch, gain traction, and move closer to market.
Selected startups receive structured workshops, dedicated coaching, expert support, mentor feedback, funding support, and Demo Day exposure.
Built a prototype? Now build the business around it.
Move from early validation to MVP launch, user testing, first customers, and Demo Day readiness with the right support behind you.
A focused incubation journey for startups ready to execute.
Program
Venture Build – Incubation Program
Duration
October 2026 – Early April 2027
Cohort Size
Only 6 startups will be selected.
Format
Hybrid: in-person workshops, online coaching and huddles where applicable.
Location
ACIE Community Space, USEK University, Lebanon.
Applications
Applications are submitted through F6S.
Demo Day
April 15–25, 2027, in person at USEK / ACIE.
Focus
MVP launch, user testing, traction, and market readiness.
From prototype-stage execution to stronger market readiness.
Venture Build is ACIE’s 6-month incubation program designed for tech and tech-enabled startups that already have a prototype or functional proof of concept and are ready to move closer to market.
The program supports 6 selected startups through a practical journey focused on MVP launch, user testing, early traction, and customer engagement.
Through output-driven workshops, dedicated coaching, mentor speed rounds, huddles, expert support, and funding support, founders work on the decisions and milestones that matter most at this stage.
Is Venture Build for you?
Your startup should apply if...
- You are building a tech or tech-enabled startup.
- You have a working prototype or functional proof of concept.
- You have validated a real problem through initial user or customer feedback.
- You are ready to build, launch, or significantly improve your MVP.
- You are pre-revenue or early revenue and need support to reach traction.
- You are based in Lebanon or able to actively operate from Lebanon during the program.
- Your founding team is committed, coachable, and open to rapid experimentation.
This may not be the right fit if...
- You only have an idea and no prototype or proof of concept yet.
- You are not ready to test with real users or customers.
- Your team cannot commit to a 6-month incubation journey.
- You are already investment-ready and scaling aggressively.
- Your solution is not technology-driven or tech-enabled.
- You are looking for a passive program with limited engagement.
- You are not open to mentorship, feedback, and iteration.
Hands-on support to move from prototype to launch and traction.
$2,000 Grant
Each selected startup receives a $2,000 grant, disbursed after the first month of the program, conditional on attendance, engagement, and commitment.
Dedicated Coaching
Each startup is matched with a dedicated coach for strategic accountability, decision support, and milestone tracking throughout the program.
13 Output-Driven Workshops
Bi-weekly in-person workshops covering product-market fit, MVP scoping, tech stack, distribution, digital marketing, sales, pricing, growth, finance, legal, retention, fundraising readiness, and pitching.
Mentor Speed Rounds
Structured half-day mentor rotation events where startups receive direct feedback from product, tech, commercial, growth, sales, investor, and pitch experts.
Expert & Technical Support
Need-based support from experts, USEK faculty, and affiliated specialists based on the startup’s needs during the program.
Founder Huddles
Bi-weekly peer-driven huddles to surface blockers, share progress, exchange feedback, and strengthen cohort trust.
F6S Startup Perks & Tools
Startup deals, software credits, and founder tools available through the F6S platform to support MVP development, launch, and growth activities.
Microsoft for Startups Benefits
Eligible startups may access Microsoft for Startups benefits, including cloud and startup support opportunities as communicated in the program campaign.
Demo Day Exposure
Startups present their MVP, traction, learnings, and ask to investors, partners, media, the university community, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Three phases. One clear execution path.
Phase 1: Foundation
Clarify your market and lock your MVP direction through customer validation, product-market fit, MVP scoping, tech stack, and AI tools adoption.
Phase 2: Build & Launch
Build your launch engine and move toward traction through distribution, digital marketing, sales, pricing, growth, finance, legal, and retention.
Phase 3: Validate & Scale
Validate, sharpen your story, and get Demo Day ready through retention, fundraising readiness, pitch preparation, and final rehearsals.
13 workshops designed around concrete startup outputs.
1. From Validation to Product-Market Fit
2. MVP Scoping & Prioritization
3. Your Tech Stack & AI Tools for Founders
4. Distribution & Channel Strategy
5. Digital Marketing & Social Media Strategy
6. Sales Fundamentals & Landing Your First Customer
7. Pricing Strategy
8. Growth Hacking & Early Traction
9. Unit Economics & Financial Modeling
10. Legal Setup and IP
11. Onboarding, Retention & Keeping Your First Customers
12. Fundraising Readiness & Investor Dynamics
13. Demo Day: Pitch Clinic & Dry Run
What progress should look like by the end.
By the end of Venture Build, each startup is expected to move from prototype-stage execution toward a stronger MVP, clearer market validation, and better readiness for customer, partner, and investor conversations.
MVP launched
A stronger MVP ready for real user testing and market feedback.
Customer or pilot secured
At least 1 paying customer, pilot, or signed commercial engagement.
User testing completed
Active user testing or pilot validation completed during the program.
Investor-ready pitch
A clearer story, stronger pitch, and better readiness for investor conversations.
Demo Day participation
Final presentation to investors, partners, media, university community, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Clearer growth direction
Stronger go-to-market decisions and better understanding of traction signals.
Prepare a strong F6S application.
Applications are submitted through F6S. The application will ask about your team, problem, solution, prototype status, validation, traction, and what you aim to achieve during Venture Build.
Before applying, make sure your startup has a working prototype or functional proof of concept, initial user or customer feedback, and a team ready to actively engage throughout the program.
Application Readiness Checklist
- A clear problem statement and target user/customer segment.
- A description of your solution and how it works.
- A working prototype, functional proof of concept, or demo link if available.
- Evidence of initial validation such as interviews, tests, pilots, sign-ups, early customers, or feedback.
- A clear view of your team roles and ownership.
- Your main goals for the next 6 months.
- Any current traction, revenue, pilot conversations, or partnerships, if applicable.
A serious selection process for a focused cohort.
Apply on F6S
Submit your application with clear details about your team, solution, prototype, validation, and goals.
Business & Technical Review
Applications are reviewed based on product strength, market potential, prototype readiness, and team commitment.
Final Jury Selection
A jury panel selects the final 6 startups that are best positioned to benefit from the program.
Do not wait until the deadline. Start your application early.
Frequently asked questions.
Who can apply to Venture Build?
Tech and tech-enabled startups with a working prototype or functional proof of concept, initial validation, and a committed founding team ready to engage actively during the 6-month program.
Is this program for idea-stage founders?
No. Venture Build is not designed for idea-stage startups. It is for startups that already have a prototype or proof of concept and are ready to move closer to market.
Do we need to have revenue to apply?
No. Pre-revenue and early-revenue startups can apply, as long as they have a prototype, initial validation, and clear readiness to test, launch, or improve their MVP.
Do we need to have a registered company?
The current program design does not require this as a published eligibility condition. Final wording should be confirmed before publishing.
Do we need to be based in Lebanon?
Startups should be based in Lebanon or able to actively operate from Lebanon during the program.
How many startups will be selected?
Only 6 startups will be selected for the cohort.
How long is the program?
The program runs from October 2026 to early April 2027, culminating in Demo Day between April 15 and April 25, 2027.
What is the format?
The program is hybrid. Workshops are in person at the ACIE Community Space, while coaching and huddles may be online or hybrid depending on the program schedule.
What support will selected startups receive?
Selected startups receive a $2,000 grant, dedicated coaching, output-driven workshops, mentor speed rounds, huddles, expert and technical support, F6S perks, Microsoft for Startups benefits where eligible, and Demo Day exposure.
When is the grant disbursed?
The $2,000 grant is disbursed after the first month of the program, conditional on attendance, engagement, and commitment. Startups must submit an expense summary at the end of the program, and strict financial compliance rules apply.
How are startups selected?
Applications are submitted through F6S, then reviewed through business and technical evaluation. A jury panel selects the final 6 startups based on team quality, product strength, market potential, prototype readiness, and program commitment.
What will we present on Demo Day?
Each startup will present its problem, solution, MVP demo, traction to date, and ask to investors, partners, media, university community, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Is attendance mandatory?
Yes. Selected startups are expected to attend sessions, join coaching, engage in huddles, complete program milestones, and actively test with users or customers.
How much time should we dedicate?
The program is designed as an active incubation journey. Final weekly commitment can be confirmed before publishing, but founders should expect regular workshops, coaching, huddles, mentor feedback, and execution work between sessions.
Ready to take your startup into its next stage?
Apply to Venture Build and get the structure, coaching, expert support, and market access needed to move from product building to traction.