How LIFE Is Rallying The Lebanese Diaspora To Back Startups

In a bustling conference room high above Dubai, a group of 10 entrepreneurs stood before a packed crowd of over 130 investors, startup founders, and industry veterans. It wasn’t just another pitch event though—it was the latest chapter in a diaspora-driven movement to uplift Lebanon’s brightest entrepreneurial minds. 

At the heart of this initiative is Lebanese International Finance Executives, or LIFE, a global network of Lebanese professionals founded on the belief that Lebanon’s greatest asset is its people—not just at home, but those scattered across six continents. 

“LIFE is a worldwide membership organization, non-partisan, non-sectarian and independent, founded in 2009 to serve Lebanese professionals in the diaspora,” Zeina Mhanna, Executive Director of LIFE tells Inc. Arabia. “Initially open to finance professionals, it expanded in 2020 to include the fields of consultancy, law, and technology.” 

“The idea of LIFE emerged from a desire to create a platform of solidarity within the Lebanese diaspora," Mhanna continues. "Its founders, driven by a shared sense of purpose, aimed to build a network where expertise and resources could uplift individuals, shape futures, and give back to Lebanon—both professionally and philanthropically."

This evolution mirrors LIFE’s broader mission: to connect the global Lebanese talent pool and turn it into a source of impact—from mentorship and scholarships to job creation and, more recently, startup support. Beyond pitch events, early-stage founders eager to plug into that ecosystem can also get involved by joining LIFE’s network, which brings together Lebanese professionals in the diaspora—mainly from finance, tech, consulting, and law. “Through the membership, they gain access to our mentoring program and our global network of over 1,600 Lebanese professionals across 20 chapters,” Mhanna points out. 

One of the most dynamic expressions of the organization's mission? The LIFE Pitch Nights. These began in Dubai in 2022, but their roots stretch back to earlier entrepreneurship efforts that LIFE co-organized with Endeavor Lebanon. “These events stopped in 2020 due to the financial crisis, the Beirut explosion, and the broader regional instability,” Mhanna explains. “As a diaspora organization, we decided to shift our focus toward supporting Lebanese entrepreneurs based abroad.” 

The concept is simple but powerful: provide early-stage startups with a platform to connect with international investors, mentors, and fellow founders. Since launching, the program has taken place in New York, London, Paris, and Dubai—with eight events in total supporting 56 founders across fintech, AI, edtech, healthtech, and greentech, among other sectors. 

The Dubai edition of this event, held on May 15, 2025, at the multinational professional services network PricewaterhouseCoopers’ offices, was the biggest yet. Organized in collaboration with notable entities lik Wamda Capital, Access Bridge Ventures, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), and several others, it drew a diverse crowd and spotlighted a number of startups. 

But behind the scenes, it’s not just about stage time. “Mentorship is a key pillar of the Pitch Night experience,” says Tana Haidar, LIFE’s Project Manager. “In the lead-up, startups receive hands-on guidance with refining their pitch, rehearsing their presentation, strengthening their business models, and making strategic adjustments. They are also briefed on who will be in the room to ensure they’re well-prepared for the audience.”  

“We also often connect startups with our event partners so they can benefit from additional support initiatives under their umbrella and gain access to tools and platforms that accelerate their growth,” Haidar adds. “Many committee members, who come from strong venture capital (VC) and entrepreneurial backgrounds, remain actively involved in helping startups navigate growth and future fundraising opportunities. Their support is highly personalized and invaluable, often extending well beyond the event itself.” 

At its core, LIFE is addressing a set of deeply structural challenges that Lebanese founders face—especially those based abroad. “Lebanese entrepreneurs often struggle with limited access to guidance, mentorship, and strategic business advice from experienced investors,” says Mhanna. “They also face challenges in connecting with angel investors, venture capitalists, and broader startup networks. The LIFE Pitch Nights aim to bridge these gaps by offering access to a global network of seasoned professionals, increasing visibility within the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem, and creating stronger connections with the Lebanese diaspora.” 

A scene from the LIFE Pitch Night in Dubai. Image courtesy LIFE.

To do this, Pitch Nights stages events in focal cities to cater to larger regions. For example, Pitch Night New York caters to North America, while the Paris event serves continental Europe, and Dubai acts as a focal point for the MENA region. To be eligible to participate, startups must have at least one Lebanese founder or co-founder, and while the majority are early-stage, some more mature ventures have also taken part. 

But the value of the diaspora goes beyond access to capital. “From our experience organizing these pitch nights, it's clear that the Lebanese diaspora has a vital role to play in rebuilding the country's innovation economy,” Mhanna says. “Their contributions go far beyond financial support—they provide advisory, mentorship, and access to global markets.” 

Bringing these events to life is a grassroots effort, powered by the very diaspora LIFE seeks to mobilize. “We leverage our existing member network to identify and connect with potential partner organizations,” Mhanna explains. “In each city, we form a local committee of volunteer members who help organize events and tap into their own professional networks. These connections often include VCs, tech companies, alumni associations, and entrepreneurship organizations. Some of our past partners include NVIDIA, Amazon Web Services, the Harvard Business School Club of the GCC, and Flat6Labs.” 

Now, for the first time since 2019, LIFE is bringing Pitch Nights back to Beirut—a step meant to reconnect with local entrepreneurs. “Bringing the LIFE Pitch Night back to Beirut is both symbolic and strategic,” says Mhanna. “We want to send a message of hope and encouragement to young Lebanese entrepreneurs who have endured tremendous hardship since 2019.” 

That hardship—which includes economic collapse, political instability, and mass emigration—has defined the country’s recent trajectory. “Despite the challenges, the entrepreneurial spirit in Lebanon remains vibrant, deeply rooted in the country’s history, geography, culture, and socio-political context...By returning to Beirut, we’re signaling to the diaspora that now is the time to re-engage and reinvest in startups based in Lebanon.” 

The Beirut event, which is set to take place in December 2025, is more than a return—it’s a relaunch. “We believe this marks the beginning of a new chapter—one that we hope will bring renewed energy, opportunity, and growth to the country’s innovation economy,” she says. 

“Looking ahead, we're excited about plans to host our first Pitch Night in San Francisco next year, in partnership with the non-profit organization focused on Lebanese professionals living in North America, LebNet,” Mhanna reveals. “We're also exploring additional initiatives to support startups more holistically, from mentorship programs to investor matchmaking, and continue strengthening the global Lebanese entrepreneurial ecosystem.” 

With an eye on the next phase, Mhanna sees LIFE becoming an even more integral force for Lebanese entrepreneurs worldwide.  

“Our vision is to establish LIFE as the leading global support platform for Lebanese entrepreneurs, wherever they may be based," Mhanna says. "Over the next 2–5 years, we aim to provide them with tailored guidance, meaningful connections to a global network of professionals, and direct access to investors. By doing this, we hope to empower Lebanese founders to launch, grow, and scale their businesses locally and internationally.” 

Pictured in the lead image a photo from LIFE Pitch Nights events. Image courtesy LIFE.