Moroccan Tech Innovators Tackle Climate Change with Groundbreaking Startups
Ben Guerir’s Mohamed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) recently hosted the third edition of Climate Launchpad, a renowned competition that celebrates innovative clean tech and green business ideas. This event provided a platform for entrepreneurs to present their inventive projects and offer innovative solutions to combat climate change.
The primary objective of the Climate Launchpad competition, according to the organizers, is to equip Moroccan project leaders and startup initiators with the necessary tools for successful entry into the global market. To facilitate this, the competition offers comprehensive training, mentoring, and accelerated programs to participants.
Prominent Moroccan entrepreneur Ahmed Larouz, who hosted the competition, expressed his admiration for the emerging talent in Morocco. He highlighted the potential of Moroccan startups to compete on an international scale and expressed hopes that regional successes would lead to global recognition, particularly in the Netherlands.
The projects presented by Moroccan startups received praise from the event’s jurors for their high quality and originality. Juror Farid Chaouki, a director at a research laboratory for New Management Practices (NPG), commended the exceptional ideas and their potential impact on climate change and renewable energy usage.
Startup initiator turned successful co-founder of Weego, Aness Fallahi, found it fascinating to witness the cleantech solutions being developed by startups. The innovation displayed left a positive impression on all jury members.
From the competition, three winners emerged to represent Morocco on the global stage. One of these winners is El Mahdi Aboulmanadel, the CEO of Deepleaf, a deep learning lab focused on revolutionizing crop cultivation through Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Deepleaf aims to promote sustainable farming methods by reducing chemical usage and lowering CO2 emissions.
Another victor is Soukaina Bellam, co-founder of Jodoor, an Agritech startup aiming to democratize controlled environment farming in Africa, specifically through soilless cultivation known as hydroponics.
Bellam is enthusiastic about advancing her project, as she believes it has the 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, observed 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 and propel startups to the next level of success.
The Climate Launchpad competition at UM6P serves as a catalyst for Moroccan tech innovators to tackle climate change through groundbreaking startups. The event not only showcases the exceptional talent in Morocco but also equips project leaders and initiators with the necessary tools to succeed in the global market. The recognition and support these startups receive pave the way for a sustainable future driven by inventive clean tech solutions.
