Bridging Shores through Action: Honoring the Visionaries of the Euro-Mediterranean Region
Published on 06 May 2026
The first Mediterranean Leaders Awards 2026 ceremony took place in Athens, during the International Symposium celebrating the 20th anniversary of the ANIMA Investment Network.
Following the recommendation and approval of the Board of Directors of ANIMA, the winners awarded this year represent the multifaceted excellence of the Euro-Mediterranean region. These three emblematic leaders—hailing from Lebanon, Greece, and the regional scientific community—are the striking proof that visionary leadership is the cornerstone of a resilient and integrated Mediterranean.
Gathered on stage for this historic occasion, Maroun Chammas, CEO, Berytech and Vice Chairman & General Manager, MEDCO , Constantin Tsakas, Chief Economist, Plan Bleu – Med 2050 scenarios for sustainable development and implications for the private sector, and Vasso Kyrkou of Enterprise Greece, who received the award on behalf of Dimitris Kalkos, the Secretary General for International Economic Affairs of Enterprise Greece that couldn’t attend, embody the perfect synergy between entrepreneurial innovation, environmental foresight, and institutional cooperation. They stand as genuine models of success and dedication for the entire business community, bridging the shores of our shared sea through action and impact.
During the Mediterranean Leaders Awards ceremony, speakers highlighted the importance of long-term cooperation, trust, and ecosystem building across the region. Maroun Chammas emphasized ANIMA’s role as “a driver of collaboration and innovation, reflecting a shared vision between Berytech and ANIMA to connect people, institutions, and opportunities across the Mediterranean. He stressed that real impact comes from sustained partnerships and tangible outcomes”.
Constantin Tsakas underlined the growing need to integrate the private sector into sustainability and policy efforts, noting that effective environmental and development strategies require collaboration between public, scientific, and business actors. He highlighted the role of Plan Bleu in bridging science and policy while increasingly engaging investment stakeholders.
Mrs Vasso Kyrkou received the award on behalf of Dimitris Kalkos, the Secretary General for International Economic Affairs of Enterprise Greece that couldn’t attend.
The session reaffirmed ANIMA’s value as a stable and trusted platform fostering cooperation and celebrated its 20-year contribution to regional development, while encouraging continued collaboration for a more connected and sustainable Mediterranean.
About the Mediterranean Leaders Awards
The Mediterranean Leaders Award was established in 2024 by the ANIMA Investment Network to recognize outstanding contributions to the region’s development.
The award honors individuals who, through their visionary leadership and concrete actions, inspire and enhance the excellence and global influence of Mediterranean countries. It celebrates those who embody the values of dialogue and rapprochement, fostering a spirit of cooperation and building mutually beneficial partnerships across the basin.
This initiative is deeply rooted in the core mission of ANIMA Investment Network: to promote the Mediterranean as a competitive, attractive, and sustainable destination for investment and business. By aligning economic actors from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, ANIMA works to foster a shared economic space where innovation, sustainable development, and regional integration serve as the foundation for future prosperity.
Review of the Mediterranean Leaders Awards 2025
The Mediterranean Leaders Awards 2025 ceremony took place in Tunis, during the 6th edition of the Tech Days Tunisia 2025.
Winners awarded following the recommendation and approval of the Board of Directors of ANIMA were three Tunisian entrepreneurs who are the striking proof that Tunisian talent is a force to be reckoned with on the global technology scene. These three most emblematic Tunisian tech leaders, who represent genuine models of entrepreneurial success for the Euro-Mediterranean business community, were gathered for the first time on stage:
- Mr. Karim Beguir, CEO and co-founder of InstaDeep. The award was presented to him by Mr. Georges Catinis, SEBC.
Karim Beguir, a graduate of École Polytechnique and the Courant Institute, is the co-founder of InstaDeep, a pioneer AI startup created in 2014 with Zohra Slim. Starting with modest means, the company has become global with offices on three continents and was acquired by BioNTech for €636 million in 2023. Its AI solutions contributed to the early detection of COVID-19 variants. Socially committed, he launched the Tatooine project to train 10,000 young Tunisians in digital skills and published Le saut décisif, advocating for innovation in Africa. Karim embodies a bridge between Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa, combining technology and social impact.
- Mr. Mehdi Houas, CEO and founder of Talan. He received his award from Ms. Cécile Couprie, AFD.
Mehdi Houas, born in 1959 in Marseille, is a Franco-Tunisian entrepreneur and president of the Talan group, which he co-founded in 2002. A graduate of Télécom Paris, he began his career at Alcatel and IBM before creating Telease (which became Valoris) and the Chrysalead fund. Under his leadership, Talan has become a global player in technology consulting, with thousands of employees and a €100 million fundraising in 2018 for its “Ambition 2020” plan. Former Tunisian Minister of Trade and Tourism, he advocates for diversity and inclusion through the Talents du Numérique association. His career illustrates innovation and Mediterranean dialogue.
- Mr. Badreddine Ouali, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Vermeg. The award was presented to him by Ms. Sonia Fernandez, AMEC.
Badreddine Ouali, an engineer graduated from Mines Saint-Étienne, is the founder of Vermeg, an international leader in financial software. Created in 1993, the company has over 700 employees and a presence in 20 countries, with strategic acquisitions like Lombard Risk in 2018. A defender of CSR and diversity, he also founded the Fondation Tunisie pour le Développement, creating five Elife centers and an incubator, The Dot, generating thousands of jobs for Tunisian youth. Collaborating with the AFD and Expertise France, he was elevated to the rank of Knight of the National Order of Merit in 2025 for his social and economic commitment.