Rabat – Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute (IAV) have launched the “AgriFood Tech” incubator, a support initiative for startups in the agricultural and agri-food sector, funded by the Erasmus+ AgriENGAGE project.
The AgriFood Tech incubator falls within Morocco’s vision to achieve inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven agricultural development based on the Generation Green 2020-2030 strategy, said a statement from UM6P.
The incubator is located in both UM6P’s Benguerir and IAV’s Rabat campuses, with an aim of making advances in the agricultural ecosystem in Morocco. It intends to achieve this goal by helping young people with innovative ideas and high potential to become entrepreneurs and turn their projects into sustainable and competitive startups.
The incubation program will focus on offering a customized curriculum to project leaders, during which they will benefit from practical support and relevant training workshops, as well as mentoring from qualified experts from Morocco and abroad.
The participating entrepreneurs will pitch their projects to several investors, companies, and farmers with a goal of securing investment or collaborating with them.
They will also have access to the various facilities and laboratories of UM6P and IAV Hassan II to further develop their projects.
“Africa’s agricultural sector holds many opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators,” said UM6P President Hicham El Habti in the statement.
Regarding the Agri-Food Tech incubator, El Habti noted that they aim to continue their commitment and support to a new generation of entrepreneurs to grow their agricultural-related projects for the benefit of Morocco and the African continent.
Meanwhile, Director of IAV Abdelaziz El Hraiki stressed that the incubator will act as “a catalyst for the promotion of innovation while implementing agricultural and agri-food startups with high added value.”
“Such a structure will provide a significant lever for the implementation of the new strategy of the agricultural sector,” El Hraiki added.
UM6P and IAV promote research, innovation, and entrepreneurship to tackle global issues and ensure the sustainable development of Morocco and Africa.
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