Marrakech – Moroccan startup AtlaStudio took home the top prize in the Challenge Startup Gamification, a competition organized by telecom operator inwi in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (MJCC) and Morocco Gaming Industry (MGI).
The winner was announced during the finale held on the sidelines of the third edition of the Morocco Gaming Expo (MGE 2026), which ran from May 20 to 24 at Sofitel Jardin des Roses in Rabat under the theme “Moroccan Talent.”
Founded in 2025, AtlaStudio specializes in mobile game development and gamification solutions. The startup has already published more than 50 games internationally. It stood out for its gamification concept designed to boost user engagement on inwi’s win by inwi application.
The selection process began in mid-April when inwi opened an initial call for candidacies, with applications accepted through April 20. Shortlisted startups then entered a structured program that included an immersion workshop and dedicated technical coaching to refine their projects. The final pitch took place on May 24 before a jury composed of representatives from inwi, the MJCC, and MGI.
As the laureate, AtlaStudio received a cash prize of MAD 100,000 ($10,000) along with structured support to develop a Proof of Concept (PoC). The goal is to integrate the startup’s gamification solution directly into the win by inwi app. AtlaStudio will also get the opportunity to participate in Gamescom in Germany, where Morocco is set to be represented through a national pavilion for the first time.
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The challenge was conceived as part of a broader push to channel Moroccan talent in game design toward concrete commercial applications. inwi cast the initiative as an effort to connect the private sector with local digital entrepreneurs, with the MJCC and MGI serving as institutional partners to help structure the country’s nascent gaming ecosystem.
MGE 2026, organized by the MJCC’s Communication Department, brought together national and international stakeholders from the video game, esports, and digital technology sectors. Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan chaired the opening ceremony.
The five-day expo featured new thematic zones, including MGE PlayTest and MGE Talks, dedicated to showcasing Moroccan game productions. It also hosted esports tournaments, a B2B networking platform, and multiple forum tracks covering public policy, business innovation, digital ethics, and game development.
The expo coincided with Rabat’s designation by UNESCO as World Book Capital 2026. A strategic support agreement for Morocco’s 2030 gaming industry development strategy was also signed during the event between Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and EU Ambassador to Morocco Dimiter Tzantchev.
