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Benguerir – Today, the Agency for Agricultural Development (ADA) hosted today the award ceremony to honor the top projects of the second edition of the national AgriYoung Innovate competition.
Organized in partnership with the Korean-World Bank Partnership Facility and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), the program is a key initiative within the broader framework of the youth entrepreneurship program.
AgriYoung Innovate
It aligns with the strategic goals of Morocco’s “Green Generation 2020-2030” plan, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests.
“This second edition builds on the success of the inaugural 2023 edition,” Mahdi Arrifi, General Director of ADA, told Morocco World News, highlighting that this year saw 380 applications from young innovators, with a strong emphasis on digital and smart agriculture as a solution to climate change.
Of the contesting projects, 26 initiatives led by 43 young aspiring entrepreneurs were selected for an intensive five-month support program.
This program included five bootcamps, online coaching sessions, personalized mentorship, and access to the cutting-edge facilities at UM6P.
These extensive resources include the Fab Lab, the Experimental Farm, the School of Architecture and Design, and the Green Energy Park.
In a statement, the organizers maintained that the program aims to enhance participants’ skills in entrepreneurship and management.
“The focus today is on how to help these startups and support them through the rest of their growth journey,” Yassine Laghzioui, director of Entrepreneurship and Venturing at UM6P, said in an interview with MWN.
According to Laghzioui, this program aims to reinforce this image by helping startups grow within the Moroccan market and explore how to scale up in other countries.
Success stories
The organizers invited the winners from the first edition of the AgriYoung Innovate program to share their success stories, aiming to inspire the new generation of participants.
Hamza Kharroubi, co-founder and CEO of “PGPR Technologies,” and El Mahdi Aboulmanadel, founder and CEO of “DeepLeaf,” spoke about their journeys, challenges, and the impact of their innovative solutions in the agri-tech sector.
The two entrepreneurs shared how they transformed their ideas into successful ventures, offering valuable insights into how the AgriYoung Innovate program played a key role in their growth and development.
Today’s game-changers
The demo day concluded with a trophy ceremony, celebrating the winning projects, during which four innovative initiatives were recognized for this second edition.
The top honor was awarded to Taysser Systems; the second Prize went to Bee Smart, and Ferti Dev was third; and the “Coup de cœur” award went to Sim Power.
The three winning projects will receive specialized support to help them secure their first client or raise funds.
All the other participants will also benefit from a support scheme, including regional immersion and guidance in creating their businesses.
The jury of the competition included a distinguished panel of experts who brought valuable insights to the selection process.
The panel was composed of Yassine Bouajaja, Co-founder of Prosperia; Saad Hamoumi, CEO of Harvard Consulting; Samir Idrissi, President of Moban Association; Mehdi Alaoui from Morocco’s Digital Development Agency, and Meriem Houzir, an International Expert in Sustainable Development.
Together, they evaluated the projects with a focus on innovation, impact, and sustainability. The jury’s collective expertise and diverse backgrounds played a crucial role in identifying the standout projects.
Inspiration and Aspiration
AgriYoung Innovate national competition aims to energize the entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural areas by encouraging young people to develop projects in digital agriculture and climate-smart solutions.
It also opens promising opportunities for young entrepreneurs, paving the way for sustainable and innovative solutions.
