The organizers of event stated that the competition’s primary objective is to equip Moroccan project leaders and startup initiators with the tools for successful global market entry.
Ben Guerir’s Mohamed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) played host to the third edition of “Climate Launchpad,” a prominent competition celebrating pioneering clean tech and green business concepts. Entrepreneurs presented their inventive projects, offering innovative responses to combat climate change.
The organizers of event “Climate Launchpad” stated that the competition’s primary objective is to equip Moroccan project leaders and startup initiators with the tools for successful global market entry. This is facilitated through comprehensive training, mentoring, and accelerated programs.
Ahmed Larouz, a prominent Moroccan entrepreneur who hosted the entire competition, expressed his admiration for the burgeoning talent in Morocco. He emphasized that Moroccan startups have the potential to compete on an international scale, expressing hopes that regional victories will lead to global recognition in the Netherlands.
Jurors at the event lauded the high quality and originality of the projects presented by Moroccan startups. Farid Chaouki, a director at a research laboratory for New Management Practices (NPG) and a member of the jury, commended the exceptional ideas and their potential impact on climate change and renewable energy usage.
Aness Fallahi, a startup initiator turned successful co-founder of Weego, found it fascinating to witness startups working on cleantech solutions. The innovation displayed left a positive impression on all jury members.
From the competition, three winners emerged, set to represent Morocco on the global stage. Among them is El Mahdi Aboulmanadel, CEO of Deepleaf, a deep learning lab focused on revolutionizing crop cultivation through Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Deepleaf aims to facilitate sustainable farming methods, such as reduced chemical usage and lower CO2 emissions.
Another victor is Soukaina Bellam, co-founder of Jodoor, an Agritech startup with a mission to democratize controlled environment farming in Africa, specifically through soilless cultivation, known as “hydroponics.”
Bellam is enthusiastic about advancing her project, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize agriculture in Morocco and Africa, conserving water, increasing yields, and securing income for traditional farmers.
Jonathan Lobe, a jury member overseeing the competing startups’ innovative projects, noted a common challenge faced by these startups: a lack of experience.
Lobe emphasized that this is a normal part of the entrepreneurial journey, especially for student-run startups. He recommended establishing connections with experienced individuals or larger companies to bridge this experience gap, ultimately propelling startups to the next level of success.