cohort KO-1 — the pilot, sold out
the pilot cohort of koalia — July 6 → August 28, 2026, all 20 seats filled. eight weeks, taught entirely by Julien Hosri — designer + engineer, co-founder of Maxiphy (UX-driven software shipped across eight industries), founder of koalia, ex-lead instructor of the UI/UX bootcamp at SE Factory (250+ students). this page is the live record of the cohort. applications for KO-2 are open — dates announced soon.
the eight specs that matter
- status
- sold out · july 6 → august 28, 2026
- duration
- 8 weeks
- schedule
- mon–fri · 5–8pm beirut time
- format
- online + workshops in beirut
- seats
- 20 (pilot) — all filled
- tuition
- $700 (pilot-only price · KO-2 lists at $1,200)
- payment
- two installments via Whish Money
- language
- english (instructor speaks english · arabic · french)
- instructor
- Julien Hosri — every session
the calendar
- applications openMay 25, 2026
- applications closeJuly 4, 2026
- intro calls + interviewsJune 30 – July 4
- offers outJuly 5, 2026
- cohort startsJuly 6, 2026 · 5pm beirut
- cohort endsAugust 28, 2026
- demo day juryAugust 28, 2026 (julien + 2 surprise guests)
hand → brain → proof
three phases. two evaluations between them. one demo day.
the skill, and the proof of it
the point isn't a certificate. it's a rare skill: you learn to design software people actually feel, not just decorate it. whether you code, build with AI, or found companies, it's the thing that makes your work stand out. finish the eight weeks and pass the jury, and you walk away with:
- your own portfolio website plus at least one real case study, defended in front of a jury. the proof you can send a client, an employer, or an investor.
- the AI design workflow (week 7): you learn to design with AI, the part almost nobody teaches yet.
- the “koalia 01” certificate of completion, proof you shipped through all three phases and cleared the jury.
- a seat in Julien Hosri's private UI/UX community, graduates only. ongoing critique, referrals, and direct access to the network Julien introduces top graduates into.
- every session recorded, yours to rewatch for the full run of the cohort while you build.
- a resume tuned to current industry standards.
five archetypes that fit
- vibe coders + AI builders shipping with Cursor, v0, Lovable, Figma Make. become the rare builder who can design, not just generate.
- graphic + brand designers moving into designing real product, not just picture-perfect screens.
- engineers who want to design what they ship.
- founders who want to design their own software instead of outsourcing the part users actually feel.
- students with the chops to keep up, building the skill early.
how the three hours play
- 5:00 – 5:15pm— quick async standup (what you're stuck on, what shipped overnight).
- 5:15 – 6:30pm — live lecture from Julien (one concept per session, max).
- 6:30 – 7:30pm — hands-on lab work with cohort feedback.
- 7:30 – 8:00pm— group critique on the previous day's assignment.
- outside class — ~10 hours/week of independent practice on deliverables.
$700 · the pilot price
- · two installments via Whish Money
- · installment 1 due at enrollment (July 5, on offer accept)
- · installment 2 due week 4 (August 1, 2026)
- · no income-share agreement
- · placement support, but no job is promised
two guarantees
- risk-free first week.come to every session in week one. if you don't think it's worth it, tell us and we refund your deposit in full. no questions asked.
- you leave with proof.finish the eight weeks and you walk away with your own portfolio website and at least one real case study. that's the deliverable, guaranteed.
Want the dated comparison with SE Factory, AUB, Forward MENA, and the rest? See how much does a UI/UX bootcamp cost in Lebanon?
five questions, five direct answers
when did cohort KO-1 run?
KO-1 started Monday, July 6, 2026 at 5pm Beirut time and runs eight weeks, ending Friday, August 28, 2026 with demo day. It sold out — all 20 seats.
can I still apply to KO-1?
No — KO-1 applications closed July 4, 2026 and the cohort sold out. Applications for the next cohort, KO-2, are open now; dates are announced soon and early applicants interview first.
how much did cohort KO-1 cost?
$700 pilot price for KO-1, paid in two installments via Whish Money (Lebanon's mobile wallet). That was a pilot-only rate — KO-2 lists at $1,200.
how many seats were in KO-1?
20 seats total for the pilot cohort, and every one was filled. We intentionally keep it small so Julien teaches every session himself.
was cohort KO-1 online or in person?
Hybrid — most sessions were live online (5–8pm Beirut, Mon–Fri), with several in-person workshops at the koalia studio in Beirut. Students based outside Lebanon completed the whole program online.