UM6P launches NextAfrica program at Paris's STATION F
The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) officially marked its presence at STATION F, the world's largest startup campus, this Thursday with the launch of NextAfrica, its transcontinental acceleration program.
NextAfrica is the first initiative dedicated to supporting African and European startups in Greentech, Agritech, and Healthtech. The program combines immersion at STATION F with access to UM6P's cutting-edge facilities in Morocco, providing entrepreneurs with an ideal environment to develop, test, and scale their innovations.
With this initiative, UM6P strengthens its role as a strategic bridge between Africa and Europe in innovation and entrepreneurship. Its presence at STATION F is rooted in a collaborative approach, fostering co-creation between ecosystems on both continents to drive the emergence of groundbreaking solutions.
Over six months, selected startups will receive top-tier support, benefiting from UM6P's advanced technological infrastructure through StartGate, its startup-focused campus. They will also receive mentorship from African and European experts and gain access to investors and industry partners.
«NextAfrica reflects our ambition to create an ecosystem where African and European startups collaborate, innovate, and grow together», said Fahd Benkirane, General Director of UM6P France. «With our presence at STATION F and UM6P's strong foothold in Africa, we offer entrepreneurs a unique platform to accelerate their development and address the technological and societal challenges of tomorrow».
UM6P Ventures is also establishing a presence at STATION F, facilitating startup funding and reinforcing synergies between European and African venture capital ecosystems.
Yassine Laghzioui, Director of Entrepreneurship and Venturing at UM6P and CEO of UM6P Ventures, emphasized the program's impact: «By alternating between STATION F and StartGate, startups gain dual exposure—access to European markets while being anchored in Africa's innovation hub. Our goal is to equip them with the resources needed to validate their technology, accelerate market entry, and secure essential funding for growth».
The first NextAfrica cohort includes twelve promising startups, divided into two key sectors:
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