Jana & Rayan Barhouche ToyAward 2026 (Credit to the owner of the photo)
Nuremberg, Germany / Beirut, Lebanon – February 2, 2026 – In a resounding victory for Lebanese ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, the startup Beaver Edu has been crowned a winner of the coveted ToyAward 2026. Announced on January 28th at the world’s premier toy fair, Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg, Germany, this award is one of the highest honors in the global toy industry.
The company clinched the prize in the competitive Startup category with its innovative Beaver Edu Construction Kit, a sustainable and educational wooden building set. The international jury lauded the product as “a simple and safe construction toy that combines technical thinking and manual work,” highlighting “the infinite expansion possibilities offered by the system.”
“This is the moment we’re most proud of,” said Jana Barhouche, 26, Co-founder and Director of Beaver Edu. “It’s a bit like winning the Oscars of toys. The impact is real, whether on creativity, problem-solving, or hands-on learning. The potential is huge.”
A Story of Sibling Innovation and Educational Vision
Founded just three months ago by siblings Jana and her brother, Rayan Barhouche, 32, Beaver Edu represents a classic tale of passion turned into a world-class product. The idea originated from Rayan’s lifelong passion for inventing and assembling, leading him to question how a single piece could be reused in limitless ways.
This curiosity resulted in a patented wooden construction system composed of birch wood sticks and unique modular connectors, allowing children aged nine and over to build everything from cranes and bridges to helicopters. A cornerstone of the kit is a specially designed, child-safe cutting tool that empowers young builders to customize their creations safely.
More Than a Toy: A Holistic Learning Ecosystem
Beaver Edu’s mission extends far beyond the toy box. The startup is actively developing comprehensive educational programs that integrate with school curricula in mathematics, physics, and logic. Currently partnering with eight schools across Lebanon, Beaver Edu enables students to apply theoretical classroom concepts through practical, hands-on building projects.
“The idea came first and foremost from Rayan’s passion. We wanted to create something that truly develops a child’s mind,” Jana explains. After a research and development phase in late 2024 with Collège Notre-Dame de Sahel Alma and a commercial launch in the fall of 2025, the startup has seen rapid growth. Its products are now sold online, in select schools, and through key retail partners like JouéClub, which is also an investor alongside the Toy Market Group.
A Lebanese Brand with Global Ambitions
Currently, production is managed between Lebanon and China, with an ultimate goal to centralize manufacturing to facilitate global exports. This prestigious ToyAward win, selected from over 600 applications across six categories, is set to be a powerful catalyst for Beaver Edu’s ambitious expansion plans.
The founders aim to deepen their impact within Lebanon by partnering with more schools while actively pursuing growth in Gulf countries, where investment in innovative educational tools is accelerating.
About Beaver Edu:
Beaver Edu is a Lebanese educational technology startup founded in late 2025 by siblings Jana and Rayan Barhouche. The company creates innovative, sustainable construction kits and complementary educational programs designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and STEM skills in children. Its flagship product, the Beaver Edu Construction Kit, won the ToyAward 2026 in the Startup category at the International Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg.
About the ToyAward:
The ToyAward is one of the most prestigious prizes in the global toy industry, presented annually at the Spielwarenmesse (International Toy Fair) in Nuremberg, Germany. It recognizes outstanding innovation, play value, and quality in new products across multiple categories.
Media Contact:
Jana Barhouche
Director & Co-founder
Beaver Edu
Email: media@beaveredu.com
Website: www.beaveredu.com
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