At Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a lived, tested, and shared experience. On April 10, the university’s Benguerir campus hosted the third edition of the UM6P Explorer Innovation Showcase, where 44 student teams presented cutting-edge projects born from a dynamic partnership between UM6P and the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund.
Far more than a showcase, this annual gathering has become a highlight on Morocco’s academic and entrepreneurial calendar. It also marks five years of a program that blends learning, experimentation, and value creation, all driven by the energy of student entrepreneurship.
The participating teams hailed not only from UM6P but also from partner institutions such as Cadi Ayyad, Al Akhawayn, Mohammed V, and Hassan II universities. Their ideas spanned a wide array of sectors—from digital technologies and clean energy to sustainable development. Fifteen standout teams were selected to pitch their projects before an audience of mentors, investors, and experts, offering a snapshot of a rising innovation ecosystem with serious potential.
That diversity reflects the program’s mission: to identify and nurture talent capable of addressing pressing socio-economic challenges in Morocco and across Africa, all within a structured and supportive framework.
For the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund, this partnership represents a long-term commitment to building an action-oriented approach to innovation education. Dr. Jinane Abounadi, the fund’s executive director, praised the collaborative spirit that has defined the relationship over the past five years, emphasizing its role in bringing high-impact student ventures to life.
The event also featured the participation of UM6P President Hicham El Habti, underscoring how central entrepreneurship has become to the university’s development strategy. This direction was echoed by Dr. Marwan Hassoun, Director of Partnerships at MIT Sandbox, who highlighted how UM6P is weaving together education, research, and innovation in a way that’s both coherent and forward-thinking.
More than just a competition, the UM6P Explorer program has evolved into a hands-on learning platform. According to Yassine Laghzaoui, CEO of UM6P Ventures and Director of Entrepreneurship at UM6P, the goal is clear: to shape a generation of innovators by equipping them with the right tools, mindset, and environment to turn ideas into impact.
Throughout the campus, 44 interactive booths gave visitors a chance to explore prototypes, try out student-designed solutions, and engage directly with the minds behind them. It was a full-on dive into what Morocco’s future innovation scene might look like—bold, grounded, and socially responsible.
