THE LEE EXPERIENCE

THE LEE EXPERIENCE stands for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Employment Development. It is an organization established in Lebanon in 2020 that has a unique business model with two arms one for-profit and one non-profit. While working on a holistic approach, we develop specific strategies for crosscutting themes to create a coherent ecosystem while providing sustainable socio-economic development, and livelihood support through ensuring business development and decent work, in line with the SDGs, especially for youth and women entrepreneurs through our four business programs: - LEE Business Incubator - LEE Digital Media Hub - LEE Academy - LEE Business Clinic Our presence in Lebanon– Our organization has a strong presence all over Lebanon, with 3 branches located in Beirut, Bekaa, South, under construction in the north, and a network of partners from CSO, INGO, CCIA, SDCs, and local government across the nation. The LEE Experience has a presence in the interagency networks and community as an LCRP partner and Core group active member for 2023 elected. Our presence in the MENA region–The LEE Experience is expanding its presence by operating and implementing projects in MENA regions such as Egypt, Tunis, Lybia, Morroco, Algeria, Jordan, Iraq and Yemen through 7 projects implemented as technical assistance to NGO’s and INGO’s such as Ministry of Labor Iraq, World bank group Iraq, World bank group Egypt, CAWTAR and kvinna till kn=vinna in 6 countries, Microfinance network and SFD in Yemen…etc Our Areas of expertise:  Business incubator: As a business incubator, we have designed several of business incubation and acceleration programs for pre-seed and seed phases in a physical, hybrid, and online format to create a supportive ecosystem where innovative ideas can flourish and diverse voices can be heard. We believe in the potential of the next generation of entrepreneurs and the positive impact can have on our communities, especially for youth and women. Our support and offering Ideation and capacity building, Feasibility Studies, Tech Product Design, Marketing and Communication Strategies, Professional Business Management Training, Access to Market & Business to Business linkages, Apprenticeship, Co-working space , Access to Finance and Connection with Investors. These offers divided into three programs as follows: - Pre Seed Programme: A pathway of 18 months We will help you to generate and validate your business idea, write your business plan, pitching deck, the financial model, and link you with the pre-seed fund opportunities. - Accelerator Programme: A pathway of 4 months to accomplish your ambition and embark on your national regional and globally sustainable journey. - Zowada Digital Accelerator Programme: The goal of the program is to create an enabling environment for the development and adoption of clean technology in the agriculture and agri-food sector, which will drive changes towards a low-carbon economy and promote sustainable growth.  Research & Data Analysis Services - Our services include research with expertise in data collection, advanced analytics, and insights interpretation. We conduct training needs assessment, business mapping to maximize profitability, impact assessment, and market research while including assessment on product competition using a consumer-behavior-based intelligence model that helps in the price modeling. We are experienced in conducting special research projects on digital finance and mobile banking, alongside alternative delivery channels.  Entrepreneurship Support, focusing on youth & women – We directly provide capacity building to Startups, SMEs, and women entrepreneurs and support them to start and improve income generation through market-oriented technical training, business management skills, and coaching. Technical assistance and capacity building covers all staff levels, from the top leadership to the field staff. We tailor capacity-building plans, and training materials, and provide in-house training and TOT with the help of a growing pool of trainers and experts, and using blended methodologies.  Gender Audit– UN-certified gender auditors’ members ensure to have gender awareness within our work environment and have audited policies going in line with the gender balance approach. We provide as well gender consultancy and auditing services for external entities.  Management Capacity Building – In the framework of its work on business transformation to individuals and organizations, The LEE Experience provides capacity building and coaching through training programs targeting managerial teams in different areas such as Leadership, strategical planning, business retreat, financial management, MEAL, fundraising, reporting, Assessment and outreach. ..etc  Agriculture & Agro-Food Startups, SMEs & Solopreneurs Support: Providing support to beneficiaries on business development, marketing & fundraising levels, business performance coaching, and marketing strategy coaching that covered branding, advertising, and attracting investors, tailored to each project, as a certified ITCILO Coach for startup and SME.  Social enterprises & Solidarity Economy (SSE) Project Support: Providing a comprehensive cycle of intervention including business plans assessment, member of the Jury to select projects for seed funding, capacity building on business management, marketing & fundraising strategies, and MVP determination.  Crowdfunding via ZOWADA as Access to Finance Tool: ZOWADA mobile Apps it is digital accelerator includes 5 main services: Crowdfunding, E-commerce, E-learning, Expert Consultancy, & Job Matching.  Financial Support Services & Education – Having on board international microfinance certified experts, we provide financial education services to improve financial literacy and enhance access to finance opportunities through ensuring financial inclusion. This support is accompanied by seed funding activities, apprenticeship, on-the-job training, promoting access to short-term revenue and employment. In order to ensure access to finance from various funding entities that includes debit funds such as microfinance institutions, and equity funds such as angel investors, accelerator, crowdfunding..., and therefore support in acquiring economic independency, long term strategic agreements are being built. The first one with Faster Capital to provide financial and non-financial services to Tech startups and SME in MENA regions. The second one with The Lebanese Micro-Finance Association (LMFA) that represents nine member of microfinance organizations on the national and international and works on improving the provision of financial and non-financial services to non-inclusive groups in the main official financial system.  DIGITAL MEDIA HUB– a Marketing & Digital Transformation Hub is the main asset within the organization that works in ensuring the best results of transforming messages, causes, products, and programs into Art. The LEE Experience is managed by founders and board members with more than 20 years of experience in the Lebanese context and socio-economic development of youth and women in addition to an integrated private sector model. In addition to a headcount of 28 employees experienced with 7 to 20 years of experience with a background in livelihood, Entrepreneurship, MSME support, microfinance, social enterprises, innovation, capacity building, Marketing, and digital transformation. Our pool of experts is accredited by international, regional, and National entities such as Certified Trainers on SIYB ( Start & Improve your Business), MFB ( My first Business), WDO ( Women do business, SBW ( Sustainable business women), MMW ( Making microfinance work, management to improve performance), FE ( Financial Education), Certified Coaches for Startups and MSME, Certified Curricula development, Certified Gender Audit. Our funders & partners Network - The LEE Experience founders have an extensive socio-economic work history with over 20 years of working experience in the MENA region and collaboration with a wide range of local and international organizations such as: International Labor Organization (ILO) , Chemonics & USAID, Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN), World Bank, CGAP, Global Communities, IFC , UNICEF, UNFPA, UNRWA, , Al Tadamun Microfinance Foundation , AFD, GIZ, Sanabel Microfinance Network, Cairo University, Frankfurt School International Advisory Services, Vitas Misr, National Commission of Lebanese Women and others. Since its establishment, The LEE Experience implement 14 projects in MENA. We served more than 5000 beneficiaries for a total budget exceeding 1.7 million US Dollars with strong partnerships and funders such as ILO, UNIFIL, the International Federation of Family Planning, the Netherland embassy, the Canadian Embassy, Action against hunger, Lebanon Microfinance network association, World bank, CAWTAR, Kvinna till Kvinna, UNICEF, UN women, UNIDO, UNDP..etc