- Exchanging expertise
- Transferring technology
- Stimulating innovation
Our mission is to enable Lebanese agri-food innovators to thrive. Locally. Regionally. And Globally.
Qoot brings together SMEs and existing companies in Lebanon’s agri-food sector, creating a synergistic environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, prosperity and growth. Our core objective is to bring Lebanese agri-food industries on par with the most innovative economies in the world, thus reclaiming Lebanon’s place on the World Food Innovation Map.
Championed by Berytech and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and supported by FoodValley NL, Qoot is built on a solid foundation of entrepreneurship and extensive experience in food innovation and cluster management. We are driven by a resolve to strengthen every aspect of Lebanon’s agri-food sector and help it attain both regional and international acclaim.
Our member businesses share our vision of collaborative and sustainable innovation. Ranging in scale from SMEs to large enterprises and export houses, they span the full extent of Lebanon’s agricultural value chain. As part of this agri-food innovation cluster, they enjoy direct access to expertise, skilled workers, input suppliers, information channels, and linkages to new markets.
To fulfill our role as facilitator of agricultural innovation, we undertake a wide range of activities at the local, regional and international levels. Besides strengthening technical prowess and nurturing a culture of collaboration and mutual exchange within the Lebanese agri-food sector, we are constantly at work to bring international opportunities to the innovative enterprises that are part of our cluster.
Our Partners
Qoot – initiated by Berytech and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is being implemented by Berytech in collaboration with FoodValley Company, the leading agri-food cluster in the Netherlands. Qoot is the official partner of online platform World Food Innovations.
Our Academic Partners
As part of its mission to bring together MSMEs, multinational companies, knowledge providers, support institutions, and investment entities to collaboratively catalyze and innovate in the agri-food sector in Lebanon, QOOT Cluster signed Memoranda of Understanding with 4 different universities: American University of Beirut – Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Balamand, American University of Science and Technology, and University Saint Joseph – ESIAM.
Certification & Membership
QOOT Cluster is a registered member on the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP).
QOOT Cluster has received the European Cluster Excellence Label in Bronze from the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis.
QOOT Cluster benefits from THE NEXT SOCIETY – Cluster Booster Track, a peer to peer learning and booster program.
Meet Our Board Members
Nadine Khoury
President · COO at Robinson Agri
Youssef Rifai
Vice President · Operation Manager at Alrifai
Paul Eid
Treasurer · Co-Founder and CFO of 209 Lebanese Wine
Ramy Boujawdeh
Deputy General Manager at Berytech
Hilbert Van der Werf
Supply Chain Manager at Brasserie Almaza
Nabil Shuman
General Manager of Agriplus Offshore
Rana Abdou
Agriculture Program Manager at Arcenciel
Valerie Zakka
Founder of Zakka Technologies
Meet The Team
Jihane Chahla
QOOT Cluster Manager
Chantale Khourieh
QOOT Cluster Officer
Joey Ghanem
Communications & Outreach Manager
Nour Azzi
Accountant
Maria Chahine
Communications & Outreach Assistant
Walid Freih
Visual Designer
BECOME A MEMBER
Qoot welcomes all businesses that contribute to Lebanon’s agricultural value chain. From input suppliers, to crop and livestock farmers, to agri-food SMEs, enterprises, traders and exporters, all stakeholders with a mindset of collaboration and innovation can sign up to enjoy increased visibility, tailored support, and easier market access.