Celebrating the Successful Closure of Fondation Diane’s Activities within the Tessa Project

Overview of the Partnership:

Fondation Diane, renowned for its commitment to environmental sustainability and social development, partnered with the Tessa project to offer a comprehensive Green Business Plan (GBP) training program. This collaboration aimed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and implement sustainable business strategies.

Highlights of Activities and Achievements:

The final phase of the partnership included several key activities designed to foster innovation and sustainability among the participating SMEs.

Selection and Training:

• Selection: After the selection of the 20 SMEs to proceed their Green Business Development Plan with Berytech, the remaining 30 SMEs continued with their final activity with Fondation Diane. This phase emphasized developing sustainable business strategies and crafting comprehensive business plans, including market analysis and product development initiatives.
• Training: Participants engaged in four online training sessions from May 20th to May 25th, focusing on different aspects of sustainable business development. Despite being conducted online, the sessions were highly interactive and engaging.

Online Training Sessions:

• Session 1 – Sustainability Preamble: Reviewed green and circular practices, optimizing resources, and asset management.
• Session 2 – Metrics and Best Practices: Explored practical metrics for sustainability impacts, emphasizing Aptech applications.
• Session 3 – Pitch Deck Development: SMEs crafted concise business plans emphasizing transformative impacts.
• Session 4 – Capacity-Building Roadmap: Developed strategies for sustainable business implementation, focusing on monitoring and accountability frameworks.

After each session, SMEs submitted their business canvases and received detailed feedback to prepare for their final pitching sessions.

Online Pitching Session:

• Elevator Pitch: SMEs delivered concise introductions outlining the core problems they aimed to solve with their innovative solutions.
• Market Opportunity: Detailed analysis of their target markets, growth projections, and competitive landscape insights.
• Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Articulated what set them apart from competitors, emphasizing unique features or benefits.
• Financial Viability: Presented evidence of traction, including customer acquisition metrics, revenue growth, and profitability projections.

SMEs received immediate feedback from the trainer, providing constructive criticism and highlighting areas for improvement. The session ensured each SME had a dedicated time slot to present effectively, making it a crucial opportunity to refine their strategies for future growth.

Physical Pitching Session: Four innovative SMEs were selected to participate in an impactful physical pitching session held at USJ CSH. This event, attended by representatives from Fondation Diane, ICU, and a panel of experts, aimed to elevate pitching skills, cultivate strategic networking, and explore promising avenues for growth among the participating SMEs.

The SMEs who pitched their projects are:

• Gudtoli (Leila Khalife): Sustainable packaging solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact.
• ACEMCO (Nada El Hakim): Advancements in eco-friendly construction materials.
• Agrocedrus (Georges Youssef): Innovative agricultural technologies focused on sustainable farming practices.
• Eshmoon Holistics (Samer Fadi Toutoungy): Holistic wellness products and initiatives.

Guests, including prominent investors and industry consultants, enriched the event with their expertise, facilitating invaluable networking opportunities and discussions on market trends, investment potentials, and collaborative opportunities. This session sharpened the pitching skills of the participating SMEs and laid the groundwork for future collaborations and business growth.

Future Outlook and Next Steps:

As we celebrate the closure of Fondation Diane’s activities within the Tessa project, we look forward to building on this foundation of success. The Tessa project remains committed to sustainable development and community empowerment, with new initiatives on the horizon.

Conclusion:

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Fondation Diane for their invaluable contributions to the Tessa project. Together, we have achieved remarkable progress and set the stage for continued growth and development. The journey doesn’t end here…