European startup hub UM6P expands its presence at STATION F, bolstering EU-Africa business connections through NextAfrica partnership.
The University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) has announced the launch of the NextAfrica accelerator program, a six-month initiative aimed at nurturing high-potential startups in the HealthTech and AgriTech sectors. The program, which is based at UM6P's StartGate campus in Benguerir, is part of the university's broader mission to establish a new local industrial ecosystem anchored in renewable energy and sustainability.
UM6P's presence at STATION F, the world's largest Paris-based startup campus, will provide the participating startups with a unique immersive experience, integrating them into STATION F's dynamic ecosystem and UM6P's StartGate infrastructure.
The inaugural NextAfrica cohort includes twelve startups, but the exact names and profiles of the startups participating in the program have not been detailed in the available sources. However, it is known that HealthTech startups in the cohort include Pelican Health, SenseBiotek, VG2D Pharma, Inn'Pulse, NeuralTeks, BlocReg Solutions, iAvicenne, and Rosetta omics. AgriTech startups in the cohort include Sand to Green, ISTYA, AgroSfer, and IrWise.
UM6P Ventures, a fund committed to startup investment, has broadened its reach to support ventures across Africa since last year. One of UM6P Ventures' recent investments is Userguest, a platform aimed at enhancing direct hotel bookings. UM6P Ventures provides 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.
The NextAfrica program emphasizes both personal and professional growth, equipping founders with the leadership and resilience needed to thrive. In addition to NextAfrica, UM6P runs other startup support initiatives, including The Forge, a startup residency launched last year to cultivate high-impact ventures. The Forge, based at UM6P's StartGate campus in Benguerir, offers structured mentorship, state-of-the-art technological resources, and global networking opportunities.
The collaboration between UM6P and STATION F was initially announced on January 29, with the aim of empowering startups to tackle Africa's technological, economic, and environmental challenges while fostering stronger intercontinental ties. STATION F collaborates with major tech giants such as Meta, Google, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and Zendesk.
By establishing a presence at STATION F and introducing NextAfrica, UM6P is strengthening its influence in Africa's growing startup ecosystem, positioning Morocco as a leading hub for technology-driven economic growth. The program is designed to provide startups with a 'dual immersion' approach that allows them to navigate the European market while staying connected to Africa's fast-growing innovation landscape.
The NextAfrica program, based at UM6P's StartGate campus, not only nurtures high-potential startups in HealthTech and AgriTech sectors but also fosters their growth in finance and technology, as UM6P Ventures, a fund dedicated to startup investment, supports ventures across Africa, with a focus on Deeptech startups in Greentech, Climatetech, Chemtech, and Industry 4.0. The university's collaboration with STATION F, a leading Paris-based startup campus, offers participating startups an immersive experience in a dynamic ecosystem, integrating education-and-self-development opportunities necessary for their long-term success.
