News

The LebNet New York community gathered on October 1 at Bryant Park for a relaxed evening of man’oushe, conversation, and connection in the heart of Manhattan. The picnic offered a chance for Lebanese professionals and community members to step away from the busy workweek, meet one another, and reconnect with the community.With good food and great company, the evening created a warm and informal se

At a GlanceOrganization: Zigzag VenturesRole: Founder & CEOIndustry: Entrepreneurship; Venture & Startup Advisory; Venture Capital LebNet Connection: Professional Member since 2010; London Community LeadSami Abou Saab has built a career spanning technology, product management, startup acceleration, investment, and entrepreneurship. After an MBA at UC Berkeley, his path took him fromMicrosoft/Skype

The LebNet Bay Area community gathered on September 24 at LeVant in Menlo Park for a relaxed evening of snacks, conversation, and connection. With no formal agenda, the gathering created an opportunity for community members to meet one another, reconnect, and simply enjoy time together.The positive feedback highlighted the value of creating more informal opportunities for the community to connect,

The LebNet London community gathered on September 24 at Automata Technologies for an engaging evening with Elie Matta, exploring practical applications of AI and what it takes to build an AI product with validation built in from day one. Participants also had the opportunity to share how they are using AI in their own work and celebrate successes worth sharing.The session sparked strong engagement

The LebNet Montreal community gathered on September 24 at IBM for an engaging evening focused on career development, connection, and mentorship. The event featured a panel discussion with Lea El Hage, Noura Tchelebi, and Maher Tabbara, moderated by Lynn Doughane, followed by a Speed Mentorship session that allowed attendees to connect directly with experienced professionals.Held in collaboration w

The LebNet Tech Fellows 2026 Graduation Ceremony celebrated the completion of the program’s fourth cohort, with 102 fellows earning certificates, including 33 who graduated with distinction. Eighty graduates, accompanied by their families, attended the celebration at AUB, while others joined online.The ceremony opened with welcome remarks from Samer Hasan of AUB and program leader Hussein Mozannar

The LebNet Arizona community gathered on September 18 at Culinary Dropout for an evening of conversation, connection, and community building. The gathering provided an opportunity to introduce more professionals to LebNet, connect with fellow Lebanese professionals, and hear directly from the community about the types of events, programs, and initiatives they would like to see.The conversation spa

The LebNet Toronto community came together on September 17 for a relaxed evening of drinks, conversation, and connections. The gathering brought together familiar faces and many new members, creating a welcoming atmosphere for networking, reconnecting, and building new friendships.The event was a great opportunity to connect with fellow Lebanese professionals and celebrate the continued growth and

LebNet is proud to announce the launch of its Houston community, bringing together Lebanese professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators, and students across technology, science, and engineering throughout Greater Houston.Rooted in LebNet’s mission of connecting and empowering Lebanese talent worldwide, the Houston community will create a vibrant and supportive network where members can exchange knowl

The success of the Lebanese tech community continues to shine through the achievements of its members and founders building ambitious companies around the world. We are proud to highlight two Lebanese-founded startups that participated in the Bay Area Pitch Night, presented by LebNet and LIFE on June 17th  in San Francisco. The event brought together 10 startups to pitch their ventures to investor

Effective August 13, 2026, the LebNet Board of Directors is pleased to announce the unanimous appointment of Jeanine Akiki as President of LebNet. Jeanine will assume this role in addition to serving as LebNet's Executive Director.Jeanine succeeds Georges Akiki, a co-founder of LebNet who has served the organization with distinction for 27 years in a variety of leadership roles, most recently as P

At a GlanceOrganization: i-GENTIC AIRole: Co-Founder & CEOIndustry: Artificial Intelligence; AI GovernanceLebNet Connection: Professional MemberWith more than 17 years of experience across artificial intelligence, data strategy, healthcare, and digital transformation, Zahra Timsah has built her career at the intersection of technology, leadership, and responsible innovation. Today, as Co-Founder a

On August 22, the LebNet Pacific Northwest community came together for Meet & Mezze, a relaxed gathering that brought members together over great food and meaningful conversations.The event offered a welcoming opportunity for Lebanese professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and community members to meet, reconnect, and build new relationships in a casual setting. As one attendee shared, “It was a

Remembering Beirut. Honoring Resilience.As we commemorate the anniversary of the Beirut Port explosion, LebNet remembers the lives lost, stands in solidarity with all those affected, and honors the resilience of the Lebanese people as they continue to rebuild after tragedy.Among the many stories of resilience is that of Beirut Digital District (BDD), a valued partner of LebNet. Despite the extensi

On August 1, the LebNet San Diego and House of Lebanon San Diego communities came together for their Annual Family Picnic, bringing together Lebanese professionals, families, and friends for an afternoon of connection, celebration, and summer fun.Held at De Anza Cove, the picnic offered a relaxed setting where attendees of all ages enjoyed delicious food, outdoor activities, and meaningful convers

On July 30th, the LebNet Boston community gathered for another memorable Summer Gathering, bringing together Lebanese professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and innovators for an evening of networking and meaningful conversations.Held at Time Out Market Boston, the event provided a welcoming space for both long-time members and first-time attendees to connect, exchange ideas, and str

At a GlanceCompany: VboutRole: Marketing Technology (MarTech) / SaaSLebNet Connection: Long-time LebNet Community SupporterBuilding a company is rarely a straight path, and few understand that better than Richard Fallah. As the Founder and CEO of Vbout, Richard spent more than a decade building one of Lebanon's leading MarTech companies. The acquisition of Vbout in June 2025 marked a significant m

On July 23rd, the LebNet Mid Atlantic community gathered for Summer Connections, an evening dedicated to strengthening professional relationships and expanding networks in a relaxed and welcoming setting.Hosted in Arlington, Virginia, the event brought together Lebanese professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and innovators from the DC area to exchange ideas, reconnect with familiar faces, and bui

LebNet Vancouver ReawakensOn June 25, LebNet Vancouver convened its inaugural Meeting of the Minds roundtable, bringing together leaders from technology, healthcare, investment, engineering, real estate, and industrial innovation. Hosted by LebNet Board Member and Vancouver Community Leader Marianne Zakhour, alongside Elio Ibrahim, the gathering featured a keynote by Ibrahim Gedeon, former CTO of

On June 27, the LebNet Chicago community came together for an evening of soccer, networking, and connection while watching the Portugal vs. Colombia match.The event welcomed both familiar faces and first-time attendees, with a particularly strong turnout from early- and mid-career Lebanese professionals, reflecting the continued growth of the Chicago community.Thank you to everyone who joined us a