BEIRUT - Industry Minister Joe Issa El Khoury opened the LIRA Innovation Forum 2026 at Le Royal Hotel in Dbayeh on July 11, 2026, bringing together government officials, business leaders, researchers, and academics to discuss innovation and research in Lebanon.

The forum was organized by the Industrial Research Achievements Association - Lebanon (IRALEB) as part of the European Union-funded Lebanon Innovate project.

Attendees included a representative of the Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Kamal Shehadi, a representative of the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, and the President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, Salim Zeeni.

Representatives from ministries, public institutions, universities, Berytech, and innovation-support organizations also took part in the event.

Turning Research Into Practical Innovation

The forum celebrated the achievements of the LIRA program in helping researchers turn their ideas into practical innovations and startup companies.

The event opened with the LIRA Innovation Exhibition, which featured projects from the program’s 17th and 18th editions. Lebanese researchers presented innovations, prototypes, and technologies developed across healthcare, industry, agriculture, technology, and artificial intelligence.

Organizers said the exhibition allowed researchers to showcase their work and connect with companies, investors, and other stakeholders.

Collaboration Between Universities and Companies

The forum also included the official LIRA conference, where speakers reviewed the program’s progress and its contribution to innovation in Lebanon.

A panel discussion titled “From Research to Impact: Building Lebanon’s Innovation Ecosystem” brought together officials, business leaders, and academics. Participants discussed how universities and companies can work more closely together, how research can be turned into useful products, and how investment in innovation can be increased.

Celebrating Research Success and Emerging Startups

The forum ended with an awards ceremony for participants in the LIRA 18 program and a startup showcase. Several projects that successfully transformed research ideas into innovative solutions with commercial potential were highlighted during the event.

Organizers also honored partners and institutions that contributed to the success of the program and supported its efforts to promote research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Lebanon.

The LIRA program is designed to support researchers and encourage the development of practical solutions that can contribute to economic growth and strengthen Lebanon’s innovation sector.