Lebanon’s newest online startups

As Lebanon’s entrepreneurial spirit continues to gather momentum despite the country’s dire economic conditions, several young and hungry entrepreneurs have rolled up their sleeves and set up shop online. Executive spoke to three new Lebanese online startups: a party supplier and two search engines, one for banking products and one for local fashion items. Facing several obstacles, from weak infrastructure to unfair customs, rendering their endeavor more challenging than it may have been in more developed markets, these new startups are still determined to make it. Hide & Seek           Founder: Karen Zaatari and Fafi Merhi Product: Party supplies Market targeted: Worldwide Total cost so far: $110,000 Projected revenues in 2013: $110,000 (worst case scenario) Biggest challenge: Customs authorities    Meet Hyoo. This idiosyncratic chameleon is the mascot of Hide & Seek, an online provider of party supplies founded by two 27-year-old friends Karen Zaatari and Fafi Merhi.