Glovo, in partnership with 212 Founders, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University via its startup campus Startgate, and Technopark, has launched the “Glovo Startup Lab,” an immersion program tailored for Moroccan startups. The initiative, which falls under Glovo’s “Tech Catalyst” program, aims to offer mentorship, promote internationalization, and connect Moroccan startups with key players in the Spanish ecosystem, according to a joint statement from Glovo and its partners.
The program, launched under the auspices of Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, reflects a strategic effort to bolster the Moroccan tech scene. Glovo has invested over 200 million dirhams ($20M) in Morocco since 2018 and continues to expand beyond food delivery into quick commerce. Adnane Lachheb, Glovo’s Director of Public Affairs in Morocco, outlined the company’s achievements and growth prospects during Gitex Africa 2024, held from May 29–31 in Marrakech.
Supporting Moroccan Innovation and Global Expansion
The “Glovo Startup Lab” is designed to support eight Moroccan startups by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding. Running from September 15 to 27, 2024, at Glovo’s headquarters in Barcelona, the program includes workshops, external visits, and networking events. It aims to foster knowledge exchange and best practice sharing, aligning with the Ministry’s vision to support Moroccan startups in their growth and international expansion.
Among the selected startups is VelyVelo, which is revolutionizing last-mile delivery through optimized management of electric bike fleets. By leveraging advanced technologies, VelyVelo offers fast, eco-friendly, and efficient deliveries, helping companies reduce costs and carbon footprints.
Another participant, Paylik, provides financial services to businesses to simplify employee benefits management and payments, promoting financial freedom and security for employees.
Saturdayz transforms reservation management for restaurants with an intuitive, affordable software solution. By streamlining operations, it helps restaurateurs improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience.
Premium Technology and Services offers innovative payment solutions for banks, facilitating secure and efficient transactions. Their cutting-edge technology helps financial institutions stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
FMCGAPPS optimizes order-taking costs for brands and distributors from local retailers through AI and data-driven technologies.
MLNETWORKS employs artificial intelligence to enhance connectivity and data-driven decision-making for telecom companies. Its innovative platform enables businesses to leverage data to optimize operations and strategy.
Logistiqa provides integrated, customized logistics solutions for SMEs, helping reduce internal management time and logistics costs. The startup aspires to establish itself as a trusted logistics label (Tiqa) across Africa and Europe.
Finally, Dealkhir offers a Donation as a Service (DaaS) platform, allowing companies to create, manage, and deploy custom charitable initiatives in minutes without technical skills. Dealkhir enhances corporate social responsibility by facilitating social engagement.
Throughout the immersion program, startups will participate in workshops on diverse topics, led by Impact Hub, to strengthen their skills and refine their strategies. Daily one-on-one mentoring sessions with Glovo experts will provide participants with personalized guidance and valuable insights.
The program also includes external visits to innovative companies such as Preply, Norrsken, Eurecat, and the Esade Entrepreneurship Institute, exposing participants to various business models and practices. A unique opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors is also part of the agenda, potentially unlocking funding to propel their ventures forward.
The Glovo Startup Lab reflects a broader ambition to bridge Moroccan startups with international ecosystems, facilitating growth beyond borders. By partnering with 212 Founders, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, and Technopark, Glovo aims to create a collaborative environment where innovation thrives and Moroccan startups can scale internationally.
This initiative underscores Glovo’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, driving digital transformation, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Moroccan startups. As the selected startups navigate the challenges and opportunities of the program, they are poised to make significant strides in their respective industries, contributing to the broader growth of Morocco’s startup ecosystem.