Rabat – Morocco has officially rolled out a new national program aimed at strengthening its startup ecosystem, as the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform and Tamwilcom launched the “Startup Venture Building” (VB) offer yesterday in Rabat.
In an innovative bid to bolster its entrepreneurial landscape, the Startup Venture Building offer introduces a structured framework that combines funding with hands-on support. This initiative is designed to assist early-stage innovative startups, guiding them from mere concepts to competitive businesses ready for the market.
The launch was presided over by the Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, alongside Tamwilcom’s Director General, Said Jabrani. The event united influential figures from Morocco’s digital entrepreneurship ecosystem, including startup accelerators, institutional partners, and stakeholders in innovation.
This program is not just a standalone effort; it is a crucial component of Morocco’s broader Digital Morocco 2030 strategy and aligns closely with the New Development Model. Its comprehensive approach is tuned to address every stage of startup development, ensuring a well-rounded experience for entrepreneurs.
Over the upcoming three years, the initiative has set ambitious targets: it aims to support more than 800 innovative startups across the nation. This aligns with Morocco’s strategic vision to emerge as a regional hub for digital innovation and technology.
During her address, Seghrouchni hailed the launch as a transformative step for the country. She emphasized that this initiative enhances existing support mechanisms by offering a cohesive financial and technical support system. This, she stated, is essential for fostering promising ideas and skilled entrepreneurs into thriving, innovative companies that can significantly contribute to Morocco’s digital economy.
Jabrani, in turn, highlighted the program’s operational nature and described it as unprecedented in Morocco’s startup landscape. He further underscored the importance of seamless coordination between support structures and financing tools, which will empower startups to transition quickly from concept to commercial viability.
An Integrated Support and Financing Framework
One of the standout features of the Startup Venture Building program is the introduction of a “living allowance.” This monthly payment is crafted to provide financial stability to experienced project leaders, enabling them to concentrate fully on developing their startups without the stress of external financial pressures.
This new framework complements various other funding instruments, tailored to suit different stages of a startup’s growth. Financial support includes an incubation grant of up to MAD 200,000 ($21,800) to kickstart prototyping, design, branding, and market validation, as well as an interest-free honor loan of up to MAD 500,000 ($54,400) geared towards commercial launch expenses.
For startups that progress to the acceleration phase, the program offers seed loans between MAD 500,000 ($54,574.20) and MAD 2 million ($218,296.80) to facilitate growth alongside fundraising endeavors.
Beyond mere financial backing, the program is committed to providing robust structured support. Six venture building and acceleration partners have been appointed to assist in this endeavor. These partners include notable Moroccan operators like CEED Maroc and Technopark, alongside distinguished international players such as Flat6Labs, Open Startup International, Renew Capital LLC, and 500 Global from the United States. Collectively, they will provide intensive mentoring, market access, and growth acceleration strategies.
With a total budget exceeding MAD 700 million ($76.4 million), the Startup Venture Building offer represents a significant leap in Morocco’s innovation economy. By integrating financing options, sector expertise, and institutional support, the initiative seeks to cultivate a new generation of startups that can emerge as national digital champions, driving a broader economic transformation in Morocco.
Read also: Morocco Commits MAD 1.3 Billion to Boost Startups Under Digital 2030 Strategy
