The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is taking a major step in its international expansion with the opening of a new base at Station F, the world’s largest startup campus. This milestone event, celebrated in Paris on February 27, 2025, coincides with the launch of NextAfrica, an ambitious accelerator program designed to bridge innovation ecosystems across Africa and Europe.
NextAfrica aims to connect the two continents by supporting startups operating in key industries such as Greentech, Agritech, and Healthtech. The program follows a hybrid model: participating entrepreneurs will gain exposure to the European startup scene through immersion at Station F while also leveraging UM6P’s advanced facilities in Morocco—particularly its StartGate campus—to develop and test their solutions.
This initiative underscores a broader effort to strengthen collaboration between innovation leaders on both sides of the Mediterranean. “NextAfrica reflects our vision of building an ecosystem where African and European startups can collaborate, innovate, and grow together,” explains Fahd Benkirane, General Manager of UM6P France.
Beyond startup acceleration, the initiative also includes UM6P Ventures, which is setting up operations at Station F to improve access to funding and foster synergies between African and European investors. According to Yassine Laghzioui, UM6P’s Director of Entrepreneurship and Venturing, “This is not just about accelerating startups—it’s about helping them validate their technology, speed up their market entry, and secure the necessary funding to scale their businesses.”
The first NextAfrica cohort includes twelve promising startups specializing in Healthtech and Agritech. Among them are Pelican Health, SenseBiotek, VG2D Pharma, Sand to Green, and AgroSfer—companies that represent the future of African and European innovation.
