How to Run a Remote-First Startup in Lebanon

TL;DR Design your company around async-first workflows , with tight written processes and minimal meetings. Build redundancy for Lebanon realities: power + internet + device/workspace standards. Choose a clean hiring model: contractor , local employment , or EOR —and document it properly. Treat payments as an ops function: consistent cycles, clear currency policy, and proof trails. Operate with a continuity plan (conflict, outages, connectivity swings) and measure output, not “online time.” 1) Start With the Right Remote Model: Async-First, Not “Work From Home” A remote-first startup isn’t “everyone on Zoom all day.” It’s a written system where work continues even when someone is offline. What “remote-first” means in practice Decisions are written (docs > calls) Work is planned weekly and shipped daily Meetings are the exception, not the default Performance is based on deliverables Lebanon-specific reason: connectivity and electricity constraints can make “always-on” unrealistic. Lebanon’s connectivity landscape is also fragmented and shifting, which is why you want a workflow that tolerates variability.  2) Make Power and Connectivity Redundancy a Company Standard Your remote system is only as strong as your weakest single point of failure. In Lebanon, the two biggest operational risks are electricity and internet stability . A simple “minimum standard” to require for every team member Power Backup power (generator subscription, UPS, or solar/inverter setup depending on role and budget) Minimum: ability to stay online long enough to finish critical handoffs Internet Primary ISP + backup (usually a mobile hotspot/second provider) A “low bandwidth” mode: audio-only calls, compressed uploads, local caching Why this is real: Lebanon’s telecom environment is highly fragmented and shaped by infrastructure constraints and the electricity crisis, and performance varies by provider and region.  Energy cost pressure is also structural: power outages and generato