IP Consultant – ACT SMART INNOVATION HUB STARTUPS

Berytech is a leading organization in the Entrepreneurial Eco-system in Lebanon, that aims to provide a conducive environment for the creation and development of startups, through incubation, business support, counseling, funding, networking, and the company hosting, hence taking part in the economic revival of the country, participating in wealth and job creation, and retaining graduates and high-level skills in Lebanon.

Through the Agrytech Accelerator Program, startups receive support to develop their Minimum Viable Product, test it with early adopters, and build their capacity to establish their business from marketing, financial, management and operational levels. The Program aims to contribute to job creation and sustainable economic development while advancing the Lebanese entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Agrytech Accelerator Program's mission is to nurture and grow proof of concepts, and prototypes that share three common characteristics:

• An innovation with scientific or technological focus in the agri-food sector.
• The possibility to scale beyond the local market
• The potential to create sustainable job opportunities locally

The Accelerator Program seeks an expert in Intellectual Property (IP) to deliver a half-day workshop on IP and facilitate one-on-one sessions for up to 8 Agrytech startups. The objective is to introduce these startups to key concepts of Intellectual Property, helping participants understand how to protect their innovations, and guide them on integrating IP strategy into their business development plans.

The selected trainers will be responsible for designing and delivering a comprehensive 3-hour workshop that covers the following topics:

• Types of Intellectual Property (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, design rights)
• When and how to protect IP across different markets (Lebanon, MENA, EU, international)
• Relevance of IP for product, brand, software, hardware, agri-inputs, and tech innovations
• Cost-benefit analysis of IP registration
• Common pitfalls and best practices for startups
• Use sector-relevant case studies (agritech, foodtech, software...).
• Provide guidance on strategic use of IP in fundraising, partnerships, and go-to-market plans.

In addition, the expert will conduct up to eight one-on-one sessions with the Agrytech startups. These sessions will be scheduled based on the specific needs of the teams, as identified in close coordination with the accelerator team.

The purpose of these sessions is to provide tailored guidance on intellectual property issues that are directly relevant to each startup’s product, market strategy, and stage of development. Topics may include assessing the patentability of technologies or innovations, navigating trademark registration processes, understanding how to structure IP clauses within partnership agreements, and designing cost-effective protection strategies for early-stage ventures with limited resources.

Where relevant, the expert may also share tools, templates, or additional reference materials to support the startups in taking practical next steps following the consultation.

Deliverables

• Workshop Outline and Materials
• Deliver a half-day workshop covering the scope of work mentioned above
• Conduct up to 1 one-on-one sessions for up to 8 startups (total of up to 8 one-on-one sessions) based on the need of the startups
• Provide a report summarizing the outcomes, feedback, and recommendations for each startup.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in Intellectual Property rights.
• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience in working with startups (preferable agritech startups) or in a startup environment is a plus.
• Hands on experience managing the full training cycle.
• Strong communications skills and professional credibility.
• Fluent in English.