Lebanon has long been a country of entrepreneurial resilience, where individuals navigate chronic economic, political, and infrastructural challenges through innovation, creativity, and self-reliance. However, despite the spirit of entrepreneurship being deeply embedded in Lebanese society, the ecosystem supporting it remains fragmented, urban-centric, and often limited to high-tech or well-connected individuals.

In recent years, compounding crises from the financial collapse and pandemic to the Beirut port explosion have further widened the gap between opportunity and access, especially for youth, women, rural communities, and non-traditional entrepreneurs.

The rise of informal entrepreneurship, the unmet need for localized business support, and the increasing emphasis on social innovation and inclusive economic growth all signal a strong opportunity for a new kind of player one that is grounded in grassroots realities, driven by evidence and partnerships, and focused on enabling entrepreneurship as a tool for social mobility and community resilience.

Startline NGO was founded to meet this need. With a vision rooted in equity, innovation, and collaboration, Startline aspires to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity particularly in underserved regions and sectors and to become a trusted enabler within Lebanon’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.