Describe Archif in one sentence….
Archif is a curated marketplace for vintage and pre-loved fashion in Lebanon.
What's your inspiration?
When my grandpa passed away a few years ago, he left behind many of his clothes, including his blazers that he used to wear every day. In Lebanon, there isn’t a platform where you can sell items you no longer need, and his pieces weren’t really suitable for donation. I realised there was a gap, especially for high-quality, unique items that have a story to tell. That pushed me to create Archif.
The core value of Archif is that secondhand pieces hold unique value because each one tells a story, just like my grandpa’s blazer, which is so special to me. It’s all about storytelling and sustainability and preserving our personal stories through fashion.
How did taking part in activities like the Open Pitch Night, help you and your entrepreneurial journey?
I booked an Idea Feedback session before participating in the Open Pitch Night. At first, I didn't think my idea was fit for the competition or unique enough, but a member of the Entrepreneurship Institute team encouraged me to apply. The Open Pitch Night gave me the confidence and validation I needed, especially as it was early stage. From there, Idea Factory helped me refine my idea and connected me with mentors, judges and a community. I’d highly recommend booking an Idea Feedback session if you’re not sure where to start, and I’d definitely suggest going through both competitions!
What motivated you to take your idea further through Idea Factory?
I joined to challenge myself and take my idea more seriously. It offered a structured process that helped me refine my concept, practice pitching, and receive valuable feedback from mentors. Plus, it was a great opportunity to meet fellow entrepreneurs, some of which are now my good friends.
What's your competition highlight?
It's a mix of things. Having friends and family there to support me while I pitched live was amazing, and winning the People’s Choice Award made it feel so real, especially when I saw the results come in live. The feedback from the judges was invaluable, but honestly, every conversation I had that night with people who loved my idea or the brand was a highlight. It made me realise how different everyone's journey is, and the importance of community especially as a solo founder.
How did Idea Factory help you move your idea forward?
It helped me structure my idea and think through all the details, especially when I had to focus on my unique selling point during the competitor analysis. The feedback from mentors really pushed me to decide on having a curated platform as my key differentiator.
One piece of advice for future Idea Factory participants?
I’d say just go for it! You learn so much from the process — meeting people, doing the workshops, and getting real-world feedback. It’s all part of the journey, and you get out what you put in.
What’s next for you and your venture?
Right now, I’m working on building my minimum viable product (MVP), and planning to launch in Lebanon this summer. Alongside that, I’m documenting my journey on social media. If you want to follow along, check out Archif on TikTok and Instagram. I’m just super excited to get it out there and then just keep iterating and improving from there.