Turning local innovation into
global opportunity.
Europe · Africa · Middle East · Asia
What We Do
Governments & Institutions
We design and operate cross-border innovation and acceleration programs that strengthen national startup ecosystems, foster entrepreneurship and connect local innovation to global opportunities.
Corporations
Startups & Founders
Universities & Academia
We empower students, researchers and emerging talent through entrepreneurship bootcamps, innovation programs and international learning experiences.
What We Do
Four core capabilities designed to move innovation, talent and organizations across markets.
Cross-Border Acceleration
We design and operate international acceleration programs connecting high-growth startups to new markets, investors and ecosystems.
Open Innovation & Venture Building
Supporting corporations and institutions in identifying, developing and activating new innovation opportunities.
Capacity Building & Academia
Designing entrepreneurship, innovation and capability building programs for universities, students, founders and emerging talent.
Market Access & Ecosystem Development
Connecting organizations with international markets, ecosystem partners and strategic opportunities.
Our Initiatives
From Vision to Impact.
Royal Leadership and Women’s Empowerment: Bridging Saudi-French Innovation Ecosystems.
Launch of the First Saudi–French Edition of the Global Women Leaders Innovation Forum, in Riyadh
An initiative led by Nest Accelerator, in partnership with CAFS and G100.
International Innovation Roadshow at Station F, the World’s Largest Startup Campus
Organized by Nest Accelerator for the Saudi–French Business Council delegation.
Connecting Innovation Ecosystems Worldwide
Paris ↔ Riyadh ↔ Global Markets
Selected Ecosystem Collaborations
International Relationships
We build strategic partnerships with leading institutions and innovation ecosystems to unlock new markets, accelerate collaboration and create lasting international opportunities.
MEDIA & RECOGNITION
Nest Accelerator
Articles
Founder Recognition
Selected media features and recognitions of our Founder & CEO, Lamia Hanafi.
Lamia Hanafi
Founder & CEO, Nest Accelerator
Entrepreneur and international innovation leader with over a decade of experience connecting entrepreneurial ecosystems across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the United States.
In 2015, she founded her first startup in France, which achieved international success, and became part of the first generation of entrepreneurs at Station F in Paris. Selected to attend the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, an initiative launched by President Barack Obama, she built strong connections within the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her firsthand experience as a startup founder, combined with an extensive international network, brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship and innovation.
She later served as Head of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), named after His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, where she led the launch of NextAfrica at Station F, connecting African and European innovation ecosystems.
Recognized among Business Elite’s 40 Under 40 Europe in Rome in 2025 and Top 10 Women Leaders in Saudi Arabia in 2026, she continues to champion international entrepreneurship and innovation.
Today, she leads Nest Accelerator and serves as President of Startup Ecosystem & Innovation at the G100 Women Economic Forum, advancing cross-border entrepreneurship and global collaboration.
Lamia Hanafi, Founder & CEO of Nest Accelerator, speaking at the launch of the first edition of the Global Women Leaders Innovation Forum in Riyadh, organized by Nest Accelerator in partnership with the Saudi-French Business Council (CAFS) and G100, at the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce.
Lamia Hanafi, Founder & CEO of Nest Accelerator, speaking at the launch of the first edition of the Global Women Leaders Innovation Forum in Riyadh, organized by Nest Accelerator in partnership with the Saudi-French Business Council (CAFS) and G100, at the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce.
Building Stronger Bridges Between Innovation Ecosystems.
Whether you are a corporation, institution, university, investor or entrepreneur, Nest connects you with the ecosystems, technologies and people shaping tomorrow.