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Rabat – The Moroccan region of Souss Massa has witnessed a dynamic convergence of entrepreneurship and innovation with the first edition of the Soussa Massa Innovation Challenge (SMIC), organized by the Digital Development Agency (ADD) in collaboration with Huawei Morocco.
The three-day event highlighted the region’s entrepreneurial energy and spirit of innovation, bringing together visionary minds from various sectors with the aim of supporting the startup ecosystem in Souss Massa.
The event, which concluded on June 30, was organized in partnership with the Wilaya of Souss Massa Region, the Regional Council, Ibn Zohr University, the Innovation City, the Regional Investment Center, the Regional Company for SME Tourism Development (S.M.A.R.T. Tourism), and Technopark.
The slogan “Unleash Your Energy to Create Innovative Services” echoed throughout the Innovation City, as the participants embarked on various challenges that encouraged them to “push the boundaries of creativity” that the ADD and Huawei aim to promote, indicated a press release.
“The synergy of efforts between the ADD and Huawei Morocco made this event meaningful and opened up new opportunities,” said the statement, explaining that the SMIC fostered stronger relations between startups, Small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), project and idea holders, as well as students.
Driven by the enthusiasm and interest of the participants, this three-day endeavor focused on five main themes, including Agritech, Edtech, Logistech, Tourism Tech, and Smart Cities.
The challenges addressed in each theme perfectly aligned with the specific needs for digital development and economic inclusion in the Souss Massa region, underlined the statement.
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In addition to the main event, thematic training sessions were provided to support the innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a focus on topics such as Business Model, Design Thinking, Business Plan, and Data Management.
The training sessions aimed to encourage creativity and innovation in support of the local and regional socio-economic dynamics.
A total of 30 projects, selected by a committee of experts, competed in the program. The first prize was awarded to an Edtech startup, while the second prize went to a Logistech venture.
Meanwhile, the third prize was awarded to a young Agritech startup. In addition, a “Jury’s Favorite” prize went to a team of project holders in the TourismTech sector.
Beyond financial support, the SMIC offered participants comprehensive support, including various training programs, necessary resources, and mentoring from Huawei and ADD expects Morocco, and other specialists in the field.
“The Souss Massa Innovation Challenge (SMIC) was more than just an event: it was a gathering of visionaries, a celebration of ingenuity, and a springboard for innovation,” emphasized the statement.
It added that the event reflects the “shared aspiration” of partners toward creative technology and an innovative digital future.
The statement concluded that the initiative “fully aligns” with the vision of the ADD and Huawei Morocco, stressing that they “tirelessly work towards a flourishing and dynamic digital ecosystem for their various stakeholders, in order to drive the digital transformation of the Kingdom.”
Since Huawei established its presence in Morocco in 2002, the Chinese telecommunication company has been committed to empowering and developing the digital skills and capabilities of young Moroccan talents through its various initiatives.
