Meet Our ACSI4 Mentors
About ACSI4
The Asfari Challenge for Social Innovation (ACSI4) is the fourth edition of our hands-on accelerator for idea- and prototype-stage social enterprises across Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and the Syrian diaspora. Over a six-month journey—from Bootcamp (March–April) through Accelerator (April–August)—selected teams receive up to $3,830 in seed funding, weekly workshops on themes like sustainability, governance, media and civic engagement, plus trauma-informed support to help you adapt, heal and rebuild. By the end, teams will have refined their prototype, built a clear business model, and pitched their venture at Demo Day.
Importance of Mentorship in ACSI4
Mentorship lies at the core of ACSI4, with a structured three-tier approach designed to support teams at every stage of their journey:
Key Mentors are dedicated advisors matched with specific teams for the entire six-month program, providing consistent guidance from Bootcamp through Demo Day and developing a deep understanding of each venture's unique challenges.
Topic Mentors bring specialized expertise in critical areas like finance, legal, marketing, or technology, available for consultation on specific challenges as teams develop their ventures.
Bootcamp Mentors provide intensive support during the initial March-April phase, helping teams validate their ideas, develop prototypes, and build strong foundations.
All our mentors come from social impact, technology and policy backgrounds. Having navigated their own ventures, they know firsthand what works and what doesn't. In one-on-one sessions, they'll help teams sharpen their pitch and refine their business approach, troubleshoot any prototype hurdles, guide them through local market dynamics and introduce them to networks, partners and funders. This hands-on, personalized support not only strengthens their project but also builds the resilience they need to turn their ideas into lasting impact. If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, learn more here.
Key Mentor
Topic Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
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Abed Mshaimesh
Senior Interior Architect with 20+ years experience, specializing in residential and commercial projects. Member of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and PhD-Candidate in Sustainable Architecture.
Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning
Key Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Christina Fakhry
Creative consultant and freelance journalist with extensive cross-industry experience in strategic communication, media, marketing, arts & culture, diplomacy, fashion and the startup ecosystem.
Strategy, Community Engagement & Communication
Key Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Farah Abi Mosleh
Community development expert with 8+ years experience in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and gender empowerment, supporting impact-driven businesses with a focus on sustainability and inclusion.
Products and Services, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers
Key Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Georges Khoury
Professional in renewable energy, co-founder of Brighter Energy, with a background in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Management.
Strategy, Products and Services, Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability
Key Mentor
Topic Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Houssam Assi
Business development, operations management and entrepreneurship expert with 28 years of experience across construction, MEP systems, and hospitality development.
Strategy, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers
Key Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Jean Abi Saab
Senior IT Management Consultant and Data Analyst managing projects in application solutions, systems integration, and assessment analysis. Senior research analyst at AUB since 2012.
Products and Services, Innovation & Learning
Key Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Jihad Turkmani
Entrepreneur, business consultant, and co-founder of three companies across consulting, IT, and manufacturing. Experienced in startup mentorship, strategic planning, and professional training.
Strategy, Products and Services, Community Engagement & Communication
Key Mentor
Kholoud Khalil
Clinical Lead at an NHS trust in London with a background in general and mental health nursing. Co-founder of a healthcare tech social enterprise in Lebanon.
Strategy, Products and Services, Corporate Social Responsibility, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers
Key Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Nathalie Khoury
Environmentalist and Circular Economy Specialist, advisor to Lebanese Ministry of Industry. Leads sustainability and community development programs promoting circularity and environmental education.
Strategy, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning
Key Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Nuno Veloso
Mentor, entrepreneur, and changemaker guiding global leaders through deep thinking and transformative action. Has mentored 250+ individuals across 50+ countries. Exponentialist and martial artist.
Strategy, Products and Services, Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Innovation & Learning
Key Mentor
Topic Mentor
Olga Kizina
Project manager and business psychologist with 15 years of experience in creative industries and social entrepreneurship. Consults entrepreneurs on product strategy, communication, and leadership.
Strategy, Products and Services, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning
Key Mentor
Topic Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Wael Hammad
Entrepreneur with experience in ecotourism and fintech. Co-founder of Lebanon's first equestrian tourism project, Cedars Trail Riding. Currently scaling an early-stage fintech startup.
Strategy, Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability
Key Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Nada Khaddage-Soboh
Director of the Center for Women in Business at AUB and PhD holder, dedicated to advancing gender equity through research, education, and coaching. Researcher focused on strategy and leadership.
Strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers
Topic Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Nadim Henoud
With 15+ years of experience in web app development and information security consultancy, specializing in open-source solutions, SaaS, and scalable, secure web systems.
Strategy, Products and Services, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning, Infrastructure, Risk, Security & Resilience
Bootcamp Mentor
Saoussen Ben Cheikh
Human rights expert and social entrepreneurship coach. Founder of MENA-can and Co-Director at Startup Grind Sousse, leading innovation and capacity-building across the MENA region.
Strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers
Topic Mentor
Fouad El Saddi
Lawyer, Mentor, Instructor, Trainer. Partner at Haber & Partner Law Firm - Head of the Startup and Innovation Practice Group. Course Instructor at AUST & USJ.
Legal & Compliance
Topic Mentor
Bootcamp Mentor
Afif Tabsh
Senior executive with over 15 years of leadership in management consulting, strategic development, and management. Founding Partner of RPS MENA, RainMakers, and Educational Transcendence Consulting.
Strategy, Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers
Bootcamp Mentor
Ali Jawad
Helps businesses and individuals think loudly, think differently, and achieve extraordinary results without wasting time or resources. Over a decade of experience transforming how people learn, think, and grow.
Strategy, Products and Services, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Anas Khadem Aljamie
Food and beverage entrepreneur based in Amsterdam, with a marketing and sales background and academia. Product in the Dutch market with expansion plans, passionate about improving the F&B sector.
Products and Services, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers
Bootcamp Mentor
George Salloum
Diverse background in software design & development, tech startups, telecom, decision support systems, online marketplaces, project management and education. Co-founded multiple startups and consulted 1000+ startups.
Strategy, Products and Services, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Hussein Zeid
Media-Tech Entrepreneur and Founder of QUAD Digital Media, QUAD Academy, and Badawi Coworking Space. Has trained nearly 11,000 young women and men in digital skills across multiple countries.
Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Communication, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Jana Kerbaj
Computer engineer with 3+ years of dynamic software development experience, creating custom technical solutions that boost efficiency while igniting innovation. Proactive program manager and leader.
Strategy, Products and Services, Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Kamel Ghossainy
Seasoned professional with 14+ years experience in IT and Energy. Focuses on problem-solving, team leadership, strategic planning, business development, software/ERP implementation, and robotic solutions.
Strategy, Products and Services, Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Majd Shams
Innovative professional with nearly a decade in business development, project management, and entrepreneurship consultancy. Has supported 200+ startups with +$200K in pre-seed funding.
Strategy, Products and Services, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Maria Abdel Karim
Creative young entrepreneur with a background in finance and graphic design. Specializes in mentoring youth and developing engaging educational content to help them turn ideas into impactful projects.
Products and Services, Community Engagement & Communication, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Mohamad Fanous
Strategy and innovation advisor, venture builder, and university instructor with a background in sales and business development in the FMCG industry.
Strategy, Products and Services, Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Mohamed Abbas
Entrepreneur with 6+ years experience in entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, business development, and working in accelerator programs. Masters in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from University of Warwick.
Strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Communication, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Myriam Hoballah
Business consultant specialized in corporate sustainability as well as an executive coach and trainer.
Strategy, Products and Services, Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Noura Ismail
International development practitioner specializing in economic mobility for displaced populations across MENA. Chief Program Officer at Talent Beyond Boundaries, partnering with the UN Refugee Agency.
Strategy, Revenues, Financial Management & Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Engagement & Communication, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Nourhan Deeb
Architect with masters in urban planning. Owner of "Noon Design" specializing in interior design and product design. Teaches urban planning and design methods at university and offers AI workshops.
Products and Services, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Omar Zo'or
Lebanese lawyer with 6 years of experience in corporate law, intellectual property law, litigation, and NGO management. Provides workshops related to IP, corporate and civil laws.
Legal & Compliance
Bootcamp Mentor
Rita Nassif
Double major in Graphic Design and HR Management with experience as an NGO consultant. Completed NGO Management Diploma from AUB NGOi.
Corporate Social Responsibility, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers
Bootcamp Mentor
Saleem Najjar
Serial entrepreneur and expert in digital transformation and e-commerce. Co-founder of Umbrella500, supporting over 13,000 entrepreneurs through tailored programs for innovation and growth.
Strategy, Products and Services, Team, Leadership, Staff & Volunteers, Innovation & Learning, Infrastructure, Risk, Security & Resilience
Bootcamp Mentor
Wael Nuweihed
Innovation and Business Development Consultant, University Professor, and Design Thinking Coach. More than twenty years of corporate experience in business strategy and planning.
Strategy, Products and Services, Innovation & Learning
Bootcamp Mentor
Explore Our Teams
Learn about the teams in the Asfari Challenge for Social Innovation (ACSI4). Explore how they're addressing challenges and making an impact in healthcare, agriculture, education, technology, and more.
Discover their stories and innovative solutions, and see the real-world impact of our mentorship program.
Become a Mentor with Bloom!
Are you passionate about driving positive change in your community? Become a mentor with Bloom and make a direct difference in someone else’s life and business. Share your expertise, enhance your leadership skills, and shape the next generation of entrepreneurs.