«NWe want to create the first Moroccan unicorns through this program,” declared Yassine Laghzioui, Director of Entrepreneurship and Venturing and CEO of UM6P Ventures. “The Forge” by its specificities presents itself as the solution to achieve this.
The result of four years of concerted efforts to structure a competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem, this program marks a new stage in the history of UM6P. Through strategic partnerships with international players such as MIT and other world-renowned institutions, the university has laid the foundations of a solid framework to support entrepreneurs.
Hosted within StartGate Benguerir, “The Forge” relies on a rich and structuring ecosystem including the UM6P Ventures venture capital fund and the Ibn Rochd Foundation for Science and Innovation (FIRSI). With the capacity to accommodate three cohorts aimed at supporting nearly 100 entrepreneurs in strategic areas such as Deeptech and Digital, the program is based on a structure in four key phases: ideation, incubation, acceleration and scaling. These stages extend over a period of 9 to 12 months, during which participants benefit from full-time support. This model provides entrepreneurs with a conducive environment to develop their ideas without the usual financial constraints.
Indeed, a notable feature of the program is the granting of life grants to participants, allowing entrepreneurs to concentrate fully on their projects. This approach is part of a broader vision of the UM6P, which aspires to eliminate the major obstacles hindering entrepreneurial development in Africa.
Yassine Laghzioui describes “The Forge” as a response to the real needs of entrepreneurs. According to him, this program stands out for its ability to offer comprehensive support ranging from ideation to international expansion, including incubation and access to financing.
“Moroccan and African entrepreneurs have immense potential, it must be unlocked by implementing a program that responds to the challenges these founders encounter to emerge,” he says.
A continental and international ambition
Although aimed at talents from around the world, “The Forge” focuses on Moroccan entrepreneurs, including those in the diaspora, and African founders. The goal is to build a diverse and interconnected ecosystem, capable of competing with global hubs such as Silicon Valley.
Tarik El Fehri, Secretary General of the Ibn Rochd Foundation for Science and Innovation (FIRSI), underlines: “Our ambition is to lay the foundations of an influential African ecosystem that promotes local innovations while positioning them on the scene. world.”
The call for applications for the first cohort of “The Forge” is open until February 7, 2025. With this program, UM6P affirms its commitment to making Morocco a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship , while laying the foundations for the emergence of future African unicorns.
Remember that since its launch, the UM6P ecosystem has made it possible to support more than 800 startups in various sectors, to create 3,000 m2 of dedicated infrastructure with the ambition of extending it to 30,000 m2, and to collaborate with international partners to raise funds reaching nearly $40 million.
