"Femme Francophone Entrepreneure" 2024 edition: 30,000 euros and 6-month support for 4 winners

For the 13th consecutive year, the AUF Middle East and its partners Berytech and L'Orient-Le Jour are offering French-speaking women entrepreneurs the chance to develop their business projects through the 2024 edition of the "Femme Francophone Entrepreneure" competition. Three Lebanese projects and one project from the Middle East outside Lebanon have shared 30,000 euros in funding, in addition to access to training sessions and six months' coaching at the Berytech incubator.

The verdict was delivered on January 9, 2025 at the grand final held at AUF's Centre d'Employabilité Francophone in Beirut: Emma Sleiman, Raya Rizkallah and Haya Hamed won the national final, while Yara Abou Dalha was crowned winner of the regional final.
As with the previous edition, the current edition of the FFE was marked by the internationalization of the competition. The call for entries was open to all 17 AUF member countries in the Middle East.
Of the hundred or so entries received following the call for applications, 30 were shortlisted, before 10 finalists were finally selected: 7 representing Lebanon and 3 representing the region (Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti).
Candidates had 3 minutes each to present their "final pitch" to the jury, convincing them of the relevance and viability of their projects.
At the end of the presentation, the three winners were chosen by a jury made up of Maya Rahal (Country Manager, Al Fanar), Mohamad Rabah (Managing Director, ZRE) and Elsa Yazbek Charabati (journalist and entrepreneur).

The winners and their projects:
In Lebanon:
Emma Sleiman - Cogny: Cogny is dedicated to the development of a new-generation clinical tool for neuropsychological assessment and neurorehabilitation. The project aims to create a tool specifically designed for the assessment of ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity). By integrating advanced technologies such as spatial computing and biosensitization, Cogny aims to transform traditional assessment methods.
One of Cogny's main objectives is to gamify and digitize assessment tools already approved by the FDA. This will not only make the assessment process more engaging for children, but also integrate data extraction points that objectively capture their behavior. With this data, Cogny will be able to create detailed behavioral profiles, which will serve as a decision-support tool for clinicians.
To date, the Cogny team has already achieved several important milestones: it has designed a game scenario based on previous research, developed the game itself, and set up a data flow pipeline for the biosensors. In addition, it has launched a pilot phase at AUBMC, after obtaining all the necessary regulatory approvals.

Raya Rizkallah - Kids Baking Box: Kids Baking Box is dedicated to culinary learning for children. Its aim is to make cooking accessible and fun for the very young, while teaching them valuable skills and fostering their creativity.
At the heart of Kids Baking Box is a learning network offering a variety of kid-friendly culinary activities. One of the key offerings is the organization of birthday parties and themed cooking events. Participants can learn to bake in a festive atmosphere, with passionate animators guiding them every step of the way.
Kids Baking Box doesn't limit itself to private events; it also gets involved in day-care centers and schools. Culinary workshops are organized in these establishments, enabling children to learn the basics of cooking while having fun.

Haya Hamed - Pharma Organic: Pharma Organic is positioned in the field of organic phytosanitary products. It was created in response to a growing need for natural solutions to the overabundance of chemicals in our environment. Pharma Organic is committed to designing products that combine efficacy, safety and affordability, while respecting the environment.
Pharma Organic's approach is deeply inspired by biomimicry, drawing on nature's mechanisms and strategies. Haya Hamed has developed formulations that exploit the natural properties of plants.
Pharma Organic's aim is to offer solutions that compromise neither the health of users nor that of the planet.

In the region:
Yara Abou Dalha (United Arab Emirates) - Nomad Workshops: The project aims to reconnect individuals, both adults and children, with the real world, away from digital distractions. In the context of the Emirates, where the climate makes it difficult to access outdoor activities for more than six months, residents often find themselves alienated from social networks, with shopping malls as their only outlet. This situation, combined with a hectic pace of life marked by work stress and daily tasks, means that many forget to take time for themselves.
The company offers a series of educational workshops that encourage play, creativity and human interaction. These workshops are designed to encourage people to meet new people and form bonds within a community sharing similar values.
The activities offered by Nomad Workshops vary from creative workshops to nature outings and family activities.

Source: www.auf.org/