The Chamber of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (CCI-ABML) recently marked a significant milestone with the successful conclusion of the Heritage Spin Offs, featuring two events focused on presentations and brokerage meetings held on September 19, 2023, at the Beirut Digital District.

This event brought together a diverse range of participants, including nine iHERITAGE subgrantees, ICT and innovation businesses, archaeologists, architects, cultural heritage enthusiasts, and members of the media. The proceedings commenced with an engaging introduction to the Beirut Chamber and the iHERITAGE project, delivered by Hana Nehme, Director of Projects at CCIA-BML. Dr. Nada Elias, a distinguished professor in the Lebanese University's Department of Arts & Archaeology, skillfully moderated the launch of the Spin-Off pitch. The spotlight was firmly on innovation in cultural heritage, with the introduction of the Spin-Off Projects developed by iHERITAGE's nine subgrantees.

The subsequent session revolved around Brokerage meetings, where subgrantees engaged in one-on-one dialogues with representatives from Lebanese enterprises, investors, and trailblazers. This forum paved the way for insightful discussions and the exploration of potential partnerships. These two events served as a dynamic platform for showcasing the innovative projects in cultural heritage that have received support from iHERITAGE. Moreover, they facilitated valuable networking and collaboration opportunities among businesses, investors, and innovators in the field.

The next phase of this remarkable journey involves providing support to the nine subgrantees in their quest to formalize their status as new companies. Furthermore, the project is committed to safeguarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) by assisting these innovators in registering their patents with the relevant Lebanese authorities. This strategic step ensures the protection of their creative contributions and fosters an environment where cultural heritage innovation can flourish.