VentureBuild Coach
Patricia Kebbé
25+ years building brands, businesses, and market access strategies.
Worked with leading global brands including Unilever, Nestlé, L’Oréal, and Johnson & Johnson.
ACIE · USEK · Incubation Program
Your startup's next
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.
Applications close September 26. Only 6 startups selected.
6STARTUPS
6MONTHS
$5,000SUPPORT
13WORKSHOPS
What selected startups get
- $5,000 support per startup
- Dedicated coaching & milestone tracking
- 13 output-driven workshops
- 4 mentor speed rounds
- Expert & technical support
- Demo Day exposure to investors & partners
Program Snapshot
The essentials, at a glance
Duration
Oct 2026 – Early Apr 2027
Cohort Size
6 startups
Format
Hybrid: in-person & online
Location
ACIE Community Space - USEK
Application
F6S platform
Demo Day
April 15–25, 2027
Support
$5,000 per startup
Workshops
13 output-driven sessions
About the Program
Turn early validation into real traction
Venture Build is ACIE's 6-month incubation program 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 — refining their MVP, validating with real users, strengthening go-to-market, and preparing for Demo Day.
The journey, in one line
Prototype→
MVP→
Users→
Customer / Pilot→
Demo Day
Is Venture Build for You?
Built for builders — not idea-stage founders
Apply if…
- You're building a tech or tech-enabled startup.
- You have a working prototype or functional proof of concept.
- You've validated a real problem through initial user or customer feedback.
- You're ready to build, launch, or significantly improve your MVP.
- You're pre-revenue or early revenue and need support to reach traction.
- You're 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're not ready to test with real users or customers.
- Your team cannot commit to a 6-month incubation journey.
- You're already investment-ready and scaling aggressively.
- Your solution is not technology-driven or tech-enabled.
- You're looking for a passive program with limited engagement.
- You're not open to mentorship, feedback, and iteration.
Not sure if you fit?
Book a short meeting with the ACIE team
What Selected Startups Receive
A full support system behind your startup
$5,000 Support
Each selected startup receives $5,000 of in-kind services and grant support, disbursed after the first month, 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 PMF, MVP scoping, tech stack, distribution, marketing, sales, pricing, growth, finance, legal, retention, fundraising, and pitching.
Mentor Speed Rounds
Structured half-day mentor rotations where each startup receives direct feedback from product, tech, commercial, growth, sales, investor, and pitch experts.
Expert & Technical Support
On-demand support from experts, USEK faculty, and affiliated specialists, based on your 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 Perks & Tools
F6S perks, startup deals, software credits, and founder tools that help reduce early operational costs and support MVP development, launch, and growth.
Microsoft for Startups
Eligible startups may access Microsoft for Startups benefits, including cloud and startup support opportunities as communicated in the program campaign.
Demo Day Exposure
Present your MVP, traction, learnings, and ask to investors, partners, media, the university community, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Selected startups receive hands-on support to move from prototype to launch and traction.
Meet the Coaches
The people helping you move forward
Each selected startup is paired with a dedicated coach for strategic guidance, accountability, milestone tracking, and decision support across the six-month journey.
VentureBuild Coach
John Rbeiz
10 years driving circular economy impact.
Supported 500+ professionals and 100+ organizations across Australia, Lebanon & the MENA region.
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Coach to be announced
More VentureBuild coaches will be revealed soon.
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Coach to be announced
More VentureBuild coaches will be revealed soon.
05
Coach to be announced
More VentureBuild coaches will be revealed soon.
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Coach to be announced
More VentureBuild coaches will be revealed soon.
Program Journey
Three phases over six months
1
Oct – Nov 2026
Foundation
Clarify your market and lock your MVP direction. Customer validation, product-market fit, MVP scoping, tech stack, and AI tools adoption.
2
Dec 2026 – Feb 2027
Build & Launch
Build your launch engine and move toward traction. Distribution, digital marketing, sales, pricing, growth, finance, legal, and retention.
3
Mar – Early Apr 2027
Validate & Scale
Validate, sharpen your story, and get Demo Day ready. Retention, fundraising readiness, pitch preparation, and Demo Day.
Still scrolling? Want to know more?
Register for the info session
Join our free online info session
Get a full program walkthrough, eligibility overview, and live Q&A with the ACIE team — sessions on July 17, August 6, and September 8.
Watch On Demand
Prefer to explore the program now?
Watch the recording of our previous Venture Build info session at your own pace. The session provides an overview of the program, eligibility, startup support, selection process, key dates, and application journey.
Program Components · Workshops
13 workshops, each with a concrete output
Every workshop ends with a deliverable per startup — not just training, but progress you can point to.
01From Validation to Product-Market Fit
Foundation
Core output: Stress-tested customer profile, PMF hypothesis, and 3 measurable signals.
Core output: Stress-tested customer profile, PMF hypothesis, and 3 measurable signals.
02MVP Scoping & Prioritization
Foundation
Core output: One-page MVP scope locked and agreed.
Core output: One-page MVP scope locked and agreed.
03Your Tech Stack & AI Tools for Founders
Foundation
Core output: Tech stack mapped — CRM, analytics, payments, ops tools — plus an AI adoption plan.
Core output: Tech stack mapped — CRM, analytics, payments, ops tools — plus an AI adoption plan.
04Distribution & Channel Strategy
Build & Launch
Core output: Channel priority matrix built per startup.
Core output: Channel priority matrix built per startup.
05Digital Marketing & Social Media Strategy
Build & Launch
Core output: Digital marketing plan and social media channel strategy defined.
Core output: Digital marketing plan and social media channel strategy defined.
06Sales Fundamentals & Landing Your First Customer
Build & Launch
Core output: Sales approach defined and first 10 targets identified.
Core output: Sales approach defined and first 10 targets identified.
07Pricing Strategy
Build & Launch
Core output: Pricing model defined and tested with 3 users.
Core output: Pricing model defined and tested with 3 users.
08Growth Hacking & Early Traction
Build & Launch
Core output: 3 low-cost growth experiments designed and ready to run.
Core output: 3 low-cost growth experiments designed and ready to run.
09Unit Economics & Financial Modeling
Build & Launch
Core output: Basic P&L and unit economics model per startup.
Core output: Basic P&L and unit economics model per startup.
10Legal Setup and IP
Build & Launch
Core output: Legal checklist completed and team roles defined.
Core output: Legal checklist completed and team roles defined.
11Onboarding, Retention & Keeping Your First Customers
Validate & Scale
Core output: Retention metric defined and first engagement loop designed.
Core output: Retention metric defined and first engagement loop designed.
12Fundraising Readiness & Investor Dynamics
Validate & Scale
Core output: One-pager investor brief drafted.
Core output: One-pager investor brief drafted.
13Demo Day: Pitch Clinic & Dry Run
Validate & Scale
Core output: Full pitch rehearsed with recorded feedback.
Core output: Full pitch rehearsed with recorded feedback.
Selection Process
How startups are selected
1
Apply on F6S
Submit your application covering team, problem, solution, prototype, validation, and goals.
2
Business & tech review
Applications are reviewed on business and technical merit against eligibility criteria.
3
Jury panel
A jury evaluates team quality, product strength, market potential, prototype readiness, and commitment.
4
Cohort confirmed
The final 6 startups are selected and onboarded into the program.
A strong application clearly shows the problem, prototype, validation, team, and commitment.
Key Milestones & Outcomes
Where your startup should be by Demo Day
By the end of Venture Build, each startup moves from prototype-stage execution toward a stronger MVP, clearer validation, and readiness for customer, partner, and investor conversations.
MVP launched
At least 1 paying customer, pilot, or signed engagement
Pitch-ready for investors
Demo Day participation
Active user testing or pilot validation completed
Timeline & Key Dates
From application to Demo Day
Don't wait until the deadline — start your F6S application early.
July 1 – September 26, 2026
Applications open on F6S. Evaluation rounds, jury selection, and cohort confirmation follow after the deadline.
October 2026
Cohort onboarding, grant eligibility confirmation, Mentor Speed Round 1, and Phase 1 begins.
Oct – Nov 2026
Foundation workshops, coaching begins, and bi-weekly huddles kick off.
Dec 2026 – Feb 2027
Build & Launch workshops, Mentor Speed Round 2, and active expert support.
Mar – Early Apr 2027
Validate & Scale workshops, Mentor Speed Rounds 3 and 4, and pitch preparation.
April 15–25, 2027
Demo Day — in person at USEK / ACIE.
FAQ
Questions, answered
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. Pre-revenue and early-revenue startups are both welcome.
Is this program for idea-stage founders?
No. Venture Build is for startups that already have a prototype or proof of concept and are ready to move closer to market — not for those still at the idea stage.
Do we need a registered company or to be based in Lebanon?
Startups should be based in Lebanon or able to actively operate from Lebanon during the program. Company registration is not a published eligibility condition.
How many startups will be selected?
Only 6 startups will be selected for the cohort.
How long is the program and what is the format?
The program runs from October 2026 to early April 2027, culminating in Demo Day between April 15 and 25, 2027. It is hybrid: workshops are in person at the ACIE Community Space, while coaching and huddles may be online or hybrid depending on the schedule.
What support will selected startups receive?
A grant, dedicated coaching, output-driven workshops, mentor speed rounds, huddles, expert and technical support, and Demo Day exposure.
When is the grant disbursed?
The grant is disbursed after the first month, conditional on attendance, engagement, and commitment. Startups submit an expense summary at the end of the program, and 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 based on team quality, product strength, market potential, prototype readiness, and commitment.
What time commitment is expected?
Venture Build is an active incubation journey. Selected startups are expected to attend sessions, join coaching, engage in huddles, complete milestones, and actively test with users or customers, with execution work between sessions.
What will we present on Demo Day?
Each startup presents its problem, solution, MVP demo, traction to date, and ask to investors, partners, media, the university community, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Still have questions? Join the info session or contact ACIE.
Outreach Partners
Backed by Lebanon's innovation ecosystem
Venture Build is promoted in partnership with leading ecosystem organizations supporting founders across Lebanon.
Applications open · Cohort of 6
Ready to take your startup into its next stage?
6 startups. 6 months. Real execution. Apply now and move from prototype to traction with the right support behind you.
Deadline: September 26, 2026