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Grace Ashiru
Morocco’s University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), known for its growing global reputation in research and innovation, has taken a bold step into Europe’s tech scene. Last Thursday, the university officially established its presence at STATION F, the massive Paris-based startup campus hailed as the world’s largest. This expansion aligns with the launch of ‘NextAfrica,’ UM6P’s ambitious accelerator program aimed at strengthening connections between Africa’s emerging startup landscape and Europe’s thriving ecosystem.
With NextAfrica, UM6P places itself at a pivotal crossroads, leveraging Europe’s tech dynamism while unlocking Africa’s vast innovation potential. By setting up at STATION F, the university seeks to establish a transcontinental bridge for startups in key sectors shaping the future—greentech, agritech, and healthtech.
“At NextAfrica, we are dedicated to fostering an ecosystem where startups from Africa and Europe can collaborate, innovate, and grow side by side,” said Fahd Benkirane, Managing Director of UM6P France, during the inauguration event themed “Innovating Together: A Bridge Between Europe and Africa to Shape the Future.”
The accelerator programme is structured to provide startups with a uniquely immersive experience. Over six months, selected participants will first integrate into STATION F’s dynamic ecosystem, leveraging its advanced facilities and extensive network. This European phase is seamlessly linked to UM6P’s cutting-edge infrastructure at StartGate, its dedicated startup hub in Morocco. Described as a ‘dual immersion’ approach by Yassine Laghzioui, Director of Entrepreneurship & Venturing at UM6P and CEO of UM6P Ventures, this model is designed to optimize the benefits for participating startups.
“Switching between STATION F and StartGate offers startups a distinctive advantage—allowing them to navigate the European market while staying connected to Africa’s fast-growing innovation landscape,” Mr. Laghzioui explained. This dual-location approach is built on the premise that globally minded startups need strategic access to both mature and emerging markets, making it especially valuable for ventures looking to scale across the Europe-Africa corridor.
The inaugural NextAfrica cohort brings together twelve high-potential startups across HealthTech and AgriTech. The HealthTech lineup includes Pelican Health,SenseBiotek, VG2D Pharma, Inn’Pulse, NeuralTeks, BlocReg Solutions, iAvicenne, and Rosetta omics. Meanwhile, the AgriTech sector is represented by Sand to Green, ISTYA, AgroSfer, and IrWise.
This move builds on UM6P’s initial partnership with STATION F, unveiled on January 29. During the announcement, UM6P President Hicham El Habti highlighted how the collaboration would empower startups to tackle Africa’s technological, economic, and environmental challenges while fostering stronger intercontinental ties.
Situated in Paris’s 13th district, STATION F launched in 2017 within a repurposed 34,000-square-meter rail freight depot. Home to over 1,000 startups, the campus collaborates with major tech giants like Meta, Google, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and Zendesk. With its new presence there, UM6P aligns with other global institutions tapping into STATION F’s ecosystem to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Listed among the Top 500 in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, UM6P has strengthened its commitment to startup investment through UM6P Ventures. Originally dedicated to Moroccan startups, the fund broadened its reach last year to support ventures across Africa. Since its launch in April 2021, UM6P Ventures has provided early-stage funding of up to 7 million dirhams (around $700,000 USD), with a strong focus on Deeptech startups in Greentech, Climatetech, Chemtech, and Industry 4.0.
One of its recent investments includes Userguest, a platform aimed at enhancing direct hotel bookings. This aligns with UM6P Ventures’ broader mission of supporting technology-driven solutions with strong commercial potential.
In addition to NextAfrica, UM6P runs other startup support initiatives. One such program is The Forge, a startup residency launched last year to cultivate high-impact ventures. Based at UM6P’s StartGate campus in Benguerir, The Forge offers structured mentorship, state-of-the-art technological resources, and global networking opportunities. As outlined in UM6P’s press release, the program emphasizes both personal and professional growth, equipping founders with the leadership and resilience needed to thrive.
By establishing a presence at STATION F and introducing NextAfrica, UM6P is strengthening its influence in Africa’s growing startup ecosystem. Through the integration of African and European innovation networks, the university aims to position Morocco as a leading hub for technology-driven economic growth.
