The Forge
The Forge
BUILT FOR THE BOLD — COHORT 2
Entrepreneurship and Innovation —
federating a startup-driven ecosystem.
Start\Gate
THE STARTUP CAMPUS OF UM6P.
BENGUERIR · RABAT — MOROCCO.
FROM RESEARCH TO MARKET, SINCE 2020.
Our time --:--:--
UTC+1 BEN GUERIR
346
STARTUPS SUPPORTED ACROSS
THE UM6P ECOSYSTEM
✳ UM6P
A startup Campus that empowers a new generation of founders, shaping the future of Innovation in Africa, with global reach
◆ Jumpshot
Jumpshot 2026
PAN-AFRICAN CHALLENGE FOR IMPACT STARTUPS
⬡ U-Founders
U-Founders
INCUBATION FOR STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS
2020-2026More Programs43
346
STARTUPS SUPPORTED
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36+
EXPERT NETWORK
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5
PROGRAMS DELIVERED
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2+
COUNTRIES REACHED
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PART OF THE UM6P INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
Startups & Investors
The ventures emerging from the campus, and the funds, angels and corporate ventures backing them from pre-seed to growth.
STARTUPS
- Delta DroneStartupSouth Africa
- TugendeStartupUganda
- The New Forests CompanyStartupTanzania
- Off Grid ElectricStartupTanzania
- KeplerStartupRwanda
INVESTORS
- 216 Capital VenturesAi · Fintech · PreseedTunisia
- European Bank for Reconstruction and DevelopmentCleantech · Agritech · SeedMorocco
- BreegaAi · Fintech · PreseedNigeria
- 500 GlobalSector Agnostic · PreseedUnited States
- Janngo CapitalAi · Fintech · PreseedMauritius
our approach
MODEL/01
Our Integrated Approach
Built on an integrated model spanning initiation, incubation, experimentation, prototyping, and market access, StartGate supports the transformation of scientific and technological advances into concrete, market-ready technologies.
Agritech · GreenTech · Fintech · +20 industries
- +Scientific & technological valorization
- +From research to market deployment
- +Cross-sector innovation
PROGRAMS/02
End-to-End Startup Programs
We support startups from early validation to growth through structured incubation and acceleration programs designed to strengthen business models, products/services, and teams.
Early to growth-stage startups
- +Founder mentorship & executive coaching
- +Product, market & customer validation
- +Business model & go-to-market strategy
INDUSTRY/03
Industry-Focused Programs
We design and deliver sector-focused innovation programs that connect startups, corporates, and public organizations to address real-world challenges and accelerate the development and adoption of technology-driven solutions.
MRTB · AYCH · MFA · AgriFoodTech
- +Sector focused innovation challenges
- +Startup support and venture growth
- +Corporate and institutional partnerships
CAMPUS/04
UM6P's Integrated Innovation Ecosystem
StartGate enables startups to leverage UM6P's integrated innovation ecosystem, providing privileged access to academic, technological, and experimental platforms that support venture development from ideation to market readiness.
Talent · Research · Experimentation
- +Talent from 1337 & UM6P schools
- +Research & prototyping platforms (incl. Dice)
- +Living labs & applied research infrastructures
COMMUNITY/05
Community Building Activities
We cultivate a dynamic entrepreneurial community through different formats of activities, sessions and networking events designed to foster learning, collaboration, and meaningful connections across the ecosystem.
Open ecosystem · Ongoing engagement
- +Master Talks with founders & experts
- +Workshops & hands-on sessions
- +Networking & ecosystem meetups
CAPITAL/06
Investors Network
We connect founders with a curated network of business angels, investors and venture capital firms, to support strategic decision-making and unlock access to funding opportunities.
UM6P Ventures and its network partners
- +Access to UM6P Ventures & VC partners
- +Investment readiness & fundraising preparation
- +Strategic advisory & long-term alignment
Transforming bold ideas into global industrial impact
An integrated model spanning initiation, incubation, experimentation, prototyping, and market access — turning scientific and technological advances into concrete, market-ready technologies.
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Ideation & Discovery. We empower researchers and entrepreneurs to uncover market opportunities and refine their concepts through structured mentorship and expert guidance.
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Building & Validation. Leverage UM6P's advanced research labs and prototyping centers to build, test, and validate your technology in real-world environments.
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Scaling & Investment. Secure the funding and market access needed to scale your venture across Africa and beyond through our network of corporate partners and UM6P Ventures.
OUR ECOSYSTEM
Ideas& Growth
The startup campus of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) — a launchpad for innovation and entrepreneurship in Morocco and Africa.
we back
Ideas that start with you
Founded in 2020, at the heart of UM6P
2,8802CAMPUSES — BENGUERIR · RABAT
41PROGRAMS DELIVERED
300+EXPERT NETWORK
15+COUNTRIES REACHED
Since 2020 — powered by UM6P
From student incubation to Series A, on one campus.
No templates or shortcuts.
Every venture starts fresh.
Custom support from day one.
◍ COREFrom initiation to acceleration — find the program that fits your stage.
Explore programs- Ongoing support
- Long-term partnership
- Research to market
Where the ecosystem connects
One feed for the whole campus. Founders share milestones, investors surface theses, experts and programme communities stay in the loop. All of it lives on the StartGate dashboard.
- +Connect with founders, investors and experts
- +Share milestones: funding, launches, key hires
- +Programme communities and ecosystem-wide reach
FD
PRODUCT LAUNCHFounderFOUNDERThe Forge · Cohort 2
ECOSYSTEMShipped our MVP after six months on campus. Demo day is next.
248
IN
ACTIVELY INVESTINGInvestorINVESTORSeed · Pre-seed
ECOSYSTEMOpening our next checks for pre-seed AI and fintech teams across Africa.
4112
EX
ExpertEXPERTwants to connectMentor network
ConnectTRENDING ON THE FEED#demoday#fintech#agritech#cohort2026