Blackbox

With the end of Day 4, we were happy to wrap up the Blackbox Elevate program in Brussels. Through the residential experience and community learning approach, we leave with a determination and new resources to support founders the wider ecosystem in MENA. Thank you to our participants for joining us with a commitment to authentic learning and knowledge sharing; your contributions fuelled the Blackbox spirit and of network-driven learning approach. We also want to extend a warm thank you to our speakers on the last day: Prof. Rudy Aernoudt from EBAN - European Business Angel Network, Sara Seganti from Impact Europe, Michel Duchateau from Convidencia, and Florian Sora from EBN - European Business & Innovation Centre Network. You have made our last day more memorable and we appreciate you sharing your expertise in our intimate circle of ecosystem leaders. We will be sharing some key highlights and learnings from our time together, stay tuned over the next few days! Blackbox Elevate Brussels 2024 was made possible with the support of our partners, to whom we are grateful for. This program is part of the 'From Innovation to Creation' program funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK.  #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups

Let’s recap Day 3 of Blackbox Elevate in Brussels! Our discussions revolved around catalytic capital and building stronger impact networks–thank you, Clara Maspons for sharing your expertise from Impact Europe! We ended our expert sessions for the day with Zad Sleiman who shared her insights on the process of EU policy formulation and the ways she helps clients at Hill & Knowlton to take part in it.  And for a change, we ended our day with the networking event in Brussels–thank you to everyone who joined us and to Wolf Sharing Food Market for hosting us. Stay tuned for tomorrow–our last day in Brussels! This event is part of the 'From Innovation to Creation' program funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK.  #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups

Day 2 of Blackbox elevate has wrapped up! We were happy (and curious) to hear from Timothy Motte, Yves Carbonnelle, Laura Batalla Adam, and Fatemeh Jailani who brought us their experiences from the Realistic Optimist, The Human Safety Net, Ashoka, and SINGA. Our discussions on day two revolved around the role of media and branding for social impact, as well as the interactions between policymakers and ecosystem enablers. Thank you to our speakers and participants! Day three, here we come! This event is part of the 'From Innovation to Creation' program funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK.  #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups

Blackbox Elevate is live! This year, and for the first time in Brussels, we welcomed 20 ecosystem leaders representing accelerators, incubators, co-working spaces, and universities from Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Tunisia. On the first day, we also welcomed experts from Stichting SPARK and EBN - European Business & Innovation Centre Network; thank you for joining us Simon van Melick, Laura Lecci, and Florian Sora! The discussions covered building stronger support networks, sharing lessons between the MENA and European ecosystems, and impact measurement. Most importantly, we didn’t forget to have fun! Stay tuned for more updates over the next few days. This event is part of the 'From Innovation to Creation' program funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK.  #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups

Get to know the organizations participating in Blackbox Elevate 2024 in Brussels! Flow Accelerator is a hybrid, sector-agnostic accelerator that supports innovative ideas through venture-market validation and value delivery. By providing top-tier entrepreneurial training, masterclasses, and business development support, Flow Accelerator helps early-stage startups overcome financial and technical barriers. Their strategic approach strengthens the sustainability of local communities and enhances the overall economy, paving the way for Palestinian innovators to grow and succeed globally. The Elevate program is funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK. #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups. Majd Khalifeh

Get to know the organizations participating in Blackbox Elevate 2024 in Brussels! The Dot is a digital innovation hub in Tunisia that supports the entrepreneurial and digital community by offering a variety of programs and services. Launched in 2021 as a public-private partnership, The Dot aims to foster innovation, transformation, and entrepreneurship across the region. It provides resources for young entrepreneurs and startups, helping them focus on growth and connect with a wide network of partners. The Elevate program is funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK. #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups Zeineb Messaoud

Get to know the organizations participating in Blackbox Elevate 2024 in Brussels! Palestine Techno Park, established in 2016, is a cornerstone of innovation and entrepreneurship in Palestine. As a non-profit research and technology hub, it offers state-of-the-art infrastructure, innovation labs, and impactful programs to bridge the gap between academia and the business sector. With a $12 million investment from the Indian government, the park fosters technological excellence and economic growth, empowering Palestinian youth and entrepreneurs to thrive locally and internationally. The Elevate program is funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK. #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups Walaa Samara

Join us in welcoming our line of speakers at Blackbox Elevate 2024 in Brussels! Fatemeh Jailani is the Chief Operating Officer at SINGA, an international organization that highlights migration as an asset for societal development. Since joining SINGA in 2021, Fatemeh has been pivotal in advancing the organization's mission to empower entrepreneurs from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Her career began at the European Commission, and she has since founded Accidental European, a media platform aimed at demystifying European policies. Fatemeh is also an ambassador for the European Climate Pact, advocating for environmental responsibility and sustainable development. Thank you for joining us, Fatemeh! The Elevate program is funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK. #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups

Get to know the organizations participating in Blackbox Elevate 2024 in Brussels! Intersect - انترسكت is a business incubator operating in Ramallah, Nablus, and Hebron. Powered by the Bank of Palestine Group, it provides startups with the resources needed to create innovative solutions. Intersect fosters a culture of collaboration, problem-solving, and design thinking, aiming to build a resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers Palestinian innovators to develop forward-looking tech solutions for the MENA region and beyond. The Elevate program is funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK. #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups Huda Tahboub

Join us in welcoming our distinguished speakers at Blackbox Elevate 2024 in Brussels! Laura Lecci is the Chief Executive Officer of EBN - European Business & Innovation Centre Network, where she has been leading the organization since February 2021. With a background in project management and policy, Laura has been with EBN since 2012, previously serving as Chief Operations Officer. Her leadership focuses on investment readiness, bioeconomy, and blue economy sectors. Laura's work is instrumental in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe, providing strategic direction and support to the network of EU|BICs (Business and Innovation Centres). Thank you for joining us, Laura! The Elevate program is funded by the European Union in collaboration with Stichting SPARK. #Brussels #Bruxelles #BrusselsEvent #ÉvénementàBruxelles #startups