Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a prestigious academic and research institution, has partnered with a global innovation platform, Plug and Play, to launch an Open Innovation Hub in Morocco, with the support of OCP Group.
This new location will be Plug and Play’s first office in Africa, with a plan to make Morocco the premiere destination of startups in the surrounding regions.
Plug and Play Morocco is scheduled to launch in January 2021 and will have an initial focus on Smart Cities. Interested startups can apply at www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/morocco/
Through this partnership, Plug and Play Morocco will be the first external program to take part in the new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Platform of UM6P, named “StartGate.” This platform will host different incubation and acceleration programs to create a full-fledge startup environment within the ecosystem of UM6P, its living labs, and the Green City Mohammed VI of Benguerir.
“Building up the Moroccan startup ecosystem is our priority. This partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University will give startups an exciting opportunity to meet and interact with leading players in Morocco,” says Michael Olmstead, Chief Revenue Officer of Plug and Play.
“The new program will act as a springboard to launch startups into different parts of the continent and beyond.”
According to Sarrah Cherif d’Ouezzan, StartGate platform Manager, “this partnership with Plug and Play will support accelerating our plans to attract entrepreneurs and startups from Morocco and abroad to contribute to the development of a dynamic ecosystem here in Benguerir.”
Plug and Play operates in over 30 cities globally with offices across Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and now Africa. This partnership will help startups across Morocco and the African continent gain access to Plug and Play’s network of corporations and venture capitalists, giving them support to expand and grow their businesses globally.
The OCP Group, UM6P, and Plug and Play will work hand-in-hand with these companies to provide mentorship, pilot opportunities, and potential capital to help their growth.
