Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a dream, working tirelessly to turn your vision into reality. You begin with excitement, ready to change the world with your innovation. The journey is thrilling—long hours fueled by passion and the hope of seeing your business come to life. But then, as the days turn into weeks and months, the stress starts to creep in unexpectedly. The demands of constantly generating new ideas, adapting to changing circumstances, managing financial concerns, and staying focused on your goals can be overwhelming.

Entrepreneurship has always been a high-stakes game, and the numbers reflect the mental toll it takes. According to a recent study by Founder Reports involving 227 entrepreneurs from 46 countries, a staggering 87.7% reported struggling with one or more mental health issues. More than half face anxiety, compounded by stress, financial pressure, and the risk of burnout. In all circumstances, entrepreneurs are advised to adopt strategies to manage their mental well-being, such as setting small, achievable goals to reduce overwhelm, prioritizing self-care through activities that recharge them, and openly communicating their struggles to gain new perspectives and relief. But what happens when the circumstances are anything but normal? What happens when the country is at war?

The Reality of War: A New Layer of Complexity

Since September 2024, Lebanon has been facing escalating conflict, adding a new level of difficulty for entrepreneurs, especially students and young professionals. Many have been forced to evacuate their homes, their businesses disrupted due to damaged infrastructure, halted supplies, and a general sense of instability. The economic environment has become even more uncertain, with many entrepreneurs finding themselves unable to maintain operations, or even access their workspaces.

The impact on mental health is profound. Beyond the typical challenges of entrepreneurship, there is now the anxiety of personal safety, the fear of losing loved ones, and the stress of surviving in a war zone. How can one focus on scaling a startup when sirens blare in the background and the news is filled with uncertainty?

The Mental Health Crisis Among Entrepreneurs

The entrepreneurial journey is already isolating, even more so during times of conflict. Student entrepreneurs, in particular, are struggling. Balancing their academic workload while trying to grow a startup was already a challenge, and now they face added pressures that make it tempting to give up. There’s a sense of hopelessness: “Why risk it all when the future is so uncertain?”

However, it’s essential to remember that the entrepreneurial spirit thrives on resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find solutions in the face of adversity. The challenges posed by the current conflict are testing these traits like never before, but they are also bringing out the best in Lebanon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Finding Support Amidst the Chaos

Despite the challenging circumstances, the Lebanese entrepreneurial ecosystem has demonstrated remarkable solidarity. Local innovation centers, NGOs, industry experts, coaches, and trainers are coming together to offer support. Initiatives like IdeaLab agrifoodtech and cleantech program, organized in partnership with Berytech and co-funded by The Embassy of The Kingdom of The Netherlands in Lebanon and implemented by five partners across Lebanon, are adapting to the situation as it progresses. Some programs have shifted online to ensure continuous training and mentorship, while others have been paused to avoid overwhelming entrepreneurs. Ongoing check-in calls prioritize the well-being and safety of startups. These efforts show that growth and innovation remain possible even in times of crisis.

The Power of Community

Lebanon’s entrepreneurial community is standing strong, supporting startups and small businesses during these tough times. Whether it’s offering advice, sharing resources, or simply being there to listen, the ecosystem is showing the power of unity:

• Shared Spaces for Stability: Some incubators are providing coworking spaces to startups from other incubators forced to relocate to safer and more accessible areas in other parts of Lebanon.
• Support for Team Operations: Incubator teams managing operations are also being provided with dedicated workspaces, meeting facilities, and resources in safer locations to sustain productivity.
• Collaborative Marketing: Startups and support organizations are teaming up to spread the word about initiatives, reaching more people and making a bigger impact.
• Hosting Opportunities: Partners are offering venues for events, training sessions, and activities to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive.
• Facilitating Market Entry: Sharing access to networks can help Lebanese startups navigate these challenging times by enabling soft landings in new markets and finding ways to grow despite the challenges.

Tough times don’t last, but tough entrepreneurs do. Together, with creativity and hope, we can rise above the challenges and create a brighter future and there’s a community ready to help you.