Deep Tech: the UM6P winning recipe

In terms of incubation and acceleration, UM6P has managed to reach 800 startups to date, supported by more than 30 co-design programs. Among them, 38 managed to raise funds amounting to MDH 600. By 2023, UM6P Ventures will invest nearly $7 million in 27 startups.

In addition to the chicken and egg paradox, the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) UM6P has made the bet to not only develop an ecosystem dedicated to the development of Deep Tech on its campus in Benguerir for less than seven years, but also the initiation of a showcase of disruptive technologies through the first edition of the “Deep Tech Summit” with the aim of positioning Morocco as a Deep Tech hub in Africa and putting it on the international stage.

In terms of incubation and acceleration, UM6P has so far managed to reach 800 startups, supported by more than 30 co-design programs, and reach more than 21,000 people through its incubation and acceleration programs. Among them, 38 startups managed to raise money worth 600 million dirhams, while this fabric is still generating revenue three years later.

Currently, “UM6P is one of the rare players that positions itself across the entire value chain, from idea development to marketing. This positioning was achieved thanks to several entities that support this vision, in this case UM6P Ventures and the Stargate campus,” explains Yassine Laghzioui, Director of Entrepreneurship and Venturing at UM6P.

As of the date of the ‘Deep Tech’ Summit on May 9 and 10, 2024 in Benguerir, Africa will represent only 0.3% of the global economy in this niche in 2022, while capital investments – risks in Deep Tech will account for only 3.5% of represent the total economy. the total amount captured by Africa.

UM6P Ventures: Raised $7 million
For 2023, UM6P Ventures’ investments reached nearly $7 million in 27 startups thanks to the support of 13 digital startups and 14 Depp Tech startups. Three quarters of them are of Moroccan origin, that is to say 20 startups, while 7 are foreigners, mainly from the African continent.

In total, these come from different strategic sectors for the development of Deep Tech, which refers to all companies and projects that develop disruptive products or services that are strongly based on R&D and advanced technologies, and often originate from research.

In addition, over 75% of the entrepreneurship and venture center comes from outside UM6P, especially from Moroccan and Pan-African universities, as part of the development of the innovation hub open to the entire ecosystem.

“When it comes to venture capital, there is more capital than startups and many Moroccan funds have already positioned themselves on this topic. But what is essential is to focus on incubation and support of idea creators so that they can raise more money and develop Made in Africa technologies,” Yassine Laghzioui immediately emphasized.

Adding that “it is important to trust our ability, as Africans, to develop disruptive technologies.” Today, the UM6P is preparing to reach a new level.