Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) concluded, on Saturday, the 7th edition of its Entrepreneurship month, named "Ventures Adventure", by rewarding 17 innovative projects.

Organised from 7 to 26 April, this event, which has become a flagship meeting for the student entrepreneurial ecosystem, culminated in the selection of these projects deemed the most promising, intended to receive substantial support for their development.

This edition was distinguished by massive participation, mobilising 537 students from not only AUI but also partner universities. Initially divided into 210 teams, the participants competed in ingenuity to develop their business ideas.
After a rigorous selection phase based on viability, innovation, and market potential, 73 teams were selected to participate in the final competition, marked by intense pitch sessions and exchanges with a jury of experts.

At the end of these deliberations, 17 projects particularly stood out and were designated winners. These teams will benefit from bespoke support to realise their ambitions. The rewards include direct investment opportunities, the granting of essential seed capital for the first stages, as well as privileged access to personalised mentoring programmes provided by seasoned professionals.

Depending on the maturity level of each project, specific support for the legal and administrative creation of the company will be proposed, as well as facilitated access to a network of potential clients and suppliers, and resources adapted to sectoral specificities.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, the President of AUI, Amine Bensaid, highlighted the strategic importance of this event for the university and for Morocco.

"This edition is particularly important because we believe that the entrepreneurship that Morocco needs is built thanks to a solid ecosystem. We cannot act alone; it is essential to collaborate," he explained.

The official praised the active participation of partner universities, including the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez, the Moulay Ismaïl University of Meknes, and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), with which AUI already shares several entrepreneurial initiatives.
Mr. Bensaid also highlighted the fundamental role of the external ecosystem mobilised for the occasion.

"When I speak of an ecosystem, I am thinking of CEOs, business leaders, entrepreneurs, mentors, and coaches who come to support our students. This exchange is fundamental," he said.

He insisted on the value of this interaction, allowing young people to benefit from the experience and network of professionals, and potentially from funding via the venture capital firms present.

The objective, according to him, is to encourage and maximise the chances of success for young entrepreneurs, who will in turn be able to inspire others to get started.
Capitalising on the success of previous editions, Mr. Bensaid announced that AUI aims to involve more than 1,000 students in its entrepreneurial activities this year.

Elaborating on the same point, the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship at AUI, Nicolas Klotz, described this month as "exceptional, rich in exchanges" between the startups from the four participating universities and the professionals.

He stressed the importance of the collaboration with "mentors and Business Angels from the professional world," which allowed for an "extraordinary mutual enrichment" and a direct transfer of expertise to the academic world.

Mr. Klotz highlighted the impact of the initiative on students and shed light on the concrete nature of the prizes awarded, notably mentoring for market and network access, as well as the financial commitment of certain Business Angels.

In a statement to the MAP, the Open Innovation Manager, Mehdi Laachach, focused on the quality of the projects presented, noting the judicious use of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and IoT in various sectors (education, health, anti-fraud).

"This event constitutes a valuable platform that not only helps to mature entrepreneurial ideas but also offers students an opportunity to demonstrate their ingenuity and their potential to contribute actively to the acceleration of Morocco's digital transformation," he stressed.

According to the organisers, the conclusion of "Ventures Adventure" 2025 thus marks a significant step in the promotion of entrepreneurial culture within the Moroccan university ecosystem. It illustrates the commitment of AUI and its partners to train, support, and propel the next generation of innovators and job creators that the Kingdom needs to accelerate its digital and economic transformation.