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Can we create a media city in Lebanon? 20

on April 04, 2009

In an international crisis like the one we actually living in, cards can be reshuffled in a snap.

Six months ago, Dubai had no competitor, everybody wanted to move there

When we took the decision to establish Kuv Capital head quarters in Beirut instead of Dubai, everybody explained us what enormous mistake we just made.

And when you look at the brutal facts, they were right.
In Lebanon:

  • Broadband is expensive, slow and unreliable,
  • Getting a stable electricity is a challenge
  • Mobile plans are a ripp off
  • Lebanon is unstable, etc..
  • GDP is 4-6% at best

Where in Dubai:

  • Broadband is fast and stable (but also really expensive and restricted)
  • A double digit growth
  • Freezone
  • An international workforce

But our job is to anticipate trends, and we strongly believe that Beirut has a window to become a Digital Middle East Hub.

How I dare say that with that weak broadband infrastructure, unreliable power grid and Lebanon inability to reform itself?

Well, create a company is cheap and easy in lebanon (limited liability company starts at 3500 USD), so it is for office expenses, labor cost is for less expensive than in the GGC countries and last but not least there is great talents here.

All these are the necessary ingredients to create a startup and have a low burn rate. On the opposite, Dubai has been design to become the middle east headquarter for international groups, so offices are great but really expensive, so is the cost of living (talking about the expensive part), incorporation cost and minimum capital requested are too high, etc..
and this is not startup friendly.

So why Beirut is not considered? Because Beirut has a marketing/branding issue, nobody knows what is really happening here. I spent my last 8 months in Beirut and I can tell you a lot is happening here. I met amazing people and discovered great companies (see Rootspace for example).

How to solve that branding issue?

As a first step, we need to structure all initiatives as a real ecosystem by creating synergies, meeting, conferences, etc.. make it more readable for foreigners.

But to accelerate this change in perception, we need go a step further. we need an iconic project to create a international buzz.

So we decide on to work on a crazy project: Create a media city in Lebanon.

Here is the idea. Find old warehouses or factories, rehabilitate them in offices with decent broadband and electricity, free spaces for students who want to work on innovative projects, Showroom for high tech companies, etc..

No it’s not a only a dream. We have already spotted 3 places around Beirut, talked to investors, convince 6 digital related companies and a media group to move in, etc..

The Silicon Valley started like this 20 years ago by gathering one after the others in place around San Francisco, Why not us ?

We will air a blog soon to gather all the information and coordinate actions

If you think I’m crazy, please let me know,
if you want to help, please declare yourself,
if you just want to show your support, leave a comment
if you just want to get updates, drop me an email.

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  1. Kuv Capital Launches Project To Create A Media City In Lebanon - StartUpArabia Sun, 05 Apr 2009 00:52:19 MST

    [...] by WP Greet BoxMy friend Hervé Cuviliez, Founder and Managing Director of Kuv Capital just wrote about a great and ambitious new project that they’re launching in Beirut, Lebanon: The [...]

  2. patrick baz Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:37:54 MST

    I am in, lets give it another try :-)

  3. Charbel Jamous Sun, 05 Apr 2009 02:28:01 MST

    this is just amazing. I will start doing the logo :)
    all the way boss!

  4. Stephanie TS Sun, 05 Apr 2009 05:34:27 MST

    Interesting.. would definitely like to know more :)

    Have a look at Twofour54.com - specifically their incubator (Ibtikar) and training programs/facilities (if you haven’t done it already). The model of the Abu Dhabi media zone makes a lot of sense; Instead of being ‘just another real-estate project’ like DMC, these guys are trying to build a proper environment to push talents from the region to create content (Arabic mainly) for the region (but of course, not strictly limited to it). The managing team is extremely switched on, and they have understood the value of investing in growing talents, regardless of the financial outcome. It might be a good source of inspiration.

    Personally, I would like to see the old factories turn into a giant think-tank of local talents :)

    Keep me posted,
    S.

  5. why not create a media city in lebanon? | mb's world Sun, 05 Apr 2009 05:40:38 MST

    [...] click here to read more about it : Can we create a media city in Lebanon? [...]

  6. herve Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:25:30 MST

    Thks for your support
    More about this on kuv capital blog: http://kuvcapital.com/wp_blog/21/company-news/beirut-media-city/

  7. Rana masri Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:53:19 MST

    That’s a great idea…i have faith in this, let me know how i can help..

  8. Jad Aoun Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:36:10 MST

    Love the idea! Count me in!

  9. Djilali Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:20:30 MST

    Bravo, we are on the same page regarding Dubai “lack of vision” as you can read it here - http://drivingsouth.net/2009/03/fom-dubai-internet-city-to-dubai-holding/
    Wish you good luck and keep us posted, nice to see things moving forward in this climate.

  10. Charbel Saad Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:05:09 MST

    this is an awesome idea, i really hope it would grow bigger here in Lebanon.
    i would really like to support this project by any way possible, but i don’t really know how. anyway, i’ve included my email so that you can keep me updated.

  11. David Munir Nabti Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:04:03 MST

    Great to see such positive feedback and enthusiasm!

    There are some great opportunities and synergies emerging… with potential to do some amazing things. Khotwi khotwi, step by step, we move forwards.

    Thanks to Herve & Kuv (and others) for your wonderful contribution, energy, and leadership.

    … onwards!

    :-)

  12. Mona Chammas Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:50:36 MST

    Hey Herve - I posted a comment a while ago expressing my support but it is not listed :-( Anyhow, here is attempt #2 at showing full support. Let me know how I can help.

  13. Noha Hachach Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:06:39 MST

    Very very interesting! would love to hear more about it!

  14. Nada Akl Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:30:13 MST

    How can I help?

  15. Gilbert Bannout Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:15:13 MST

    I can finance. Please keep me posted and updated : gbplus@gmail.com

    Good luck!

  16. Maya Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:56:49 MST

    Hello,
    I am a media consultant with extensive expertise in setting up media cities. I have worked on the Abu dhabi media city (twofour 54), the Qatar ICT city, the Egypt media production city and the Dubai media city, to mention few. I would like to help and also get updates. please let me know how we can meet and discuss
    best,
    Maya

  17. Walid Hanna Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:24:56 MST

    Creating a media / Internet ecosystem out of an empty factory is the first and best thing that could happen to Lebanon’s knowledge based economy.
    Competing with Dubai is utopia but starting something to begin to compete with Amman and Cairo is a must.
    Not sure how I can help but please count me in, will try to make in on April 29 in Beirut-

    Walid Hanna

  18. Ibrahim Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:42:26 MST

    This is a brilliant idea. Am all ears and ready to help.

  19. Bashir Barrage Mon, 04 May 2009 11:07:29 MST

    There’s an abandoned factory in Mar Mkhael that’s BEGGING to be renovated into something… anything!

  20. wissam badr Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:57:58 MST

    This is a great idea…let me know how i can help.

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