Lebanese Angel Investor Network
Angel investment network for Lebanese and diaspora-founded startups, launched in May 2026 and operated by BY Venture Partners with the support of Lebanon's Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence.
Industry: Angel investment network | Founded: 2026
About Lebanese Angel Investor Network
Lebanese Angel Investor Network, known as LAIN, is a curated angel investment network for startups founded by Lebanese entrepreneurs in Lebanon and in the diaspora. Its website presents it as an initiative of Lebanon's Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence, operated by BY Venture Partners.
LAIN was launched at an event on 11 May 2026. BY Venture Partners, founded by Ghaith Yafi and Abdallah Yafi, handles sourcing, due diligence, structuring and post-investment support, according to the LAIN website. Kamal Shehadi, Lebanon's Minister of Technology and Artificial Intelligence, gave opening remarks at the launch, and the launch post quotes him saying the initiative is led by the private sector and the ministry does not direct investments.
Investors join through an online platform provided by Vessel. They signal interest or sign a letter of intent, then make a single upfront commitment from USD 25,000 with no capital calls, and they review curated companies and vote on deals on the platform. LAIN states that 50 percent of the profits it generates will go to rebuilding the Lebanese startup sector. Beirut Digital District's launch post describes LAIN Fund III as domiciled in Luxembourg, aiming for 35 to 40 pre-seed and seed-stage companies at an average of USD 150,000 each, It lists a five-vote investment committee made up of three LAIN team votes, one collective angel vote and one rotating seat for a large-check angel.
The same post names a seven-member advisory board that includes Endeavor Lebanon, LebNet, Beirut Digital District, AUB iPark and Razor Capital, which support governance but do not sit on the investment committee. LAIN introduced a first cohort of four Lebanese founders through the Vessel platform.
Beirut Digital District reported soft commitments of USD 5 million at launch, while Wamda reported that commitments passed an undisclosed initial target. On 16 October 2026, Beirut Digital District reported that Edgebot, a US-based fintech company with an engineering hub in the district, received USD 100,000 from LAIN after winning a pitch competition that LAIN co-organised with Endeavor at Experia Expo, held on 8 to 10 October 2026.
Leadership
- Ghaith Yafi, Founding Partner, BY Venture Partners (LAIN operator)
- Abdallah Yafi, Founding Partner, BY Venture Partners (LAIN operator)