BBIC — BIAT–Balamand Innovation Center
Programs

Three focused tracks. One innovation engine.

We replaced one long semester program with three purpose-built tracks — each with its own audience, format, and outcome. All workshops stay open to every UOB student.

Ideation Sprints
Open to all UOB students
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BLOM Commercialization Program
Post-validation startups building toward MVP and launch
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Research & Innovation
Faculty, researchers, and partners
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Track 01

Ideation Sprints

One standardized format, built around the academic calendar: four sessions across two weekends plus a light gap week of customer conversations. Fridays start at 4:00 PM, after class. Runs 8 times a year across every faculty and vertical, delivered by BBIC's own experts and mentors.

Who
Open to all UOB students
Format
2 weekends · 4 sessions · ~21 contact hours
Outcome
$500 (1st) and $250 (2nd) at the live competition
Apply to Ideation Sprints
How it runs
  1. 1
    Session 1 · Wk1 Friday, 4–8 PM
    Kickoff, entrepreneurial mindset, teaming, empathy mapping and How-Might-We framing, idea generation. Deliverable: one problem statement + first-draft idea.
  2. 2
    Session 2 · Wk1 Saturday, 10 AM–6 PM
    Business Model Canvas workshop, customer discovery and market sizing, rotating mentor check-ins, MVP concept development. Deliverable: BMC v1 + MVP concept.
  3. 3
    Gap week · Mon–Thu, ~1–2 hrs
    Light-touch customer discovery — 3–5 short conversations, self-paced, logged in the interview template.
  4. 4
    Session 3 · Wk2 Friday, 4–8 PM
    Refine the business model with real evidence (BMC v2) and build the pitch deck and story.
  5. 5
    Session 4 · Wk2 Saturday
    Rehearsal rounds with mentor feedback, then the live pitch competition scored by the BBIC jury, awards and networking.
Output: Validated business model (BMC v2), MVP concept, and a live-tested pitch deck.
Track 02

BLOM Commercialization Program

BBIC's post-validation pathway helps founders strengthen their strategy, build and validate an MVP, and prepare to pitch and launch. For 2026–2027, the track runs as the BLOM Commercialization Program.

Who
Post-validation startups building toward MVP and launch
Format
3 phases · November 2026–May 2027
Outcome
Final Event — investor & partner showcase
Apply to BLOM Commercialization Program
How it runs
  1. 1
    Phase 1 · Foundation & Strategy
    Business model bootcamp, customer discovery, five-year financial projection, problem solving, competitive landscape, advanced branding, team building, go-to-market strategy, and operations and legal. Deliverable: GTM strategy, branding strategy and five-year financial projection.
  2. 2
    Phase 2 · Build & Validate
    Design thinking, user testing, product-market fit, milestones and KPIs, pricing, sales fundamentals, business plan development, risk management and co-development. Deliverable: business plan outline, prototype, product-market-fit evidence and pricing model.
  3. 3
    Phase 3 · Pitch & Launch
    Pitching bootcamp and clinics, storytelling, speed pitching, investor relations, term-sheet literacy and a post-program action plan. Final deliverable: final business plan, three-minute investor pitch, five-to-six-minute pitch and 90-day roadmap.
  4. 4
    Peer Office Hours
    Recurring bi-weekly sessions run across all three phases.
  5. 5
    Final Event
    The cohort presents its ventures to investors, partners and the wider ecosystem.
Output: Validated prototype + final business plan + investor pitches + 90-day post-program roadmap.
Track 03

Research & Innovation

Mission-driven projects tied to UOB, BIAT, or a partner company — moving research into products, proofs of concept, and long-term partnerships.

Who
Faculty, researchers, and partners
Format
Project-based
Outcome
Proof of concept or product
Apply to Research & Innovation
How it runs
  1. 1
    Scoping
    Define the mission with a partner or faculty team.
  2. 2
    R&D
    Prototype and test against a real-world constraint.
  3. 3
    Handoff
    Transfer to product, partner, or spin-out.
  4. 4
    Partnership
    Ongoing collaboration and follow-on projects.
Output: Tangible PoC, product, or partnership.