University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), a Moroccan institution rapidly gaining international recognition for its research and innovation focus, has made a strategic foray into the heart of Europe’s technology landscape. Last Thursday marked the official opening of UM6P’s presence at STATION F, the sprawling Parisian hub claiming the title of world’s largest startup campus. This move coincides with the launch of ‘NextAfrica’, the university’s ambitious accelerator programme designed to forge stronger links between the burgeoning startup ecosystems of Europe and Africa.
The NextAfrica initiative strategically positions UM6P at a critical intersection, seeking to capitalise on both the dynamism of the European tech sector and the untapped potential of African innovation. By establishing a physical presence at STATION F, UM6P aims to create a transcontinental corridor for startups operating in sectors deemed crucial for future global challenges: greentech, agritech, and healthtech.
“NextAfrica embodies our commitment to building an ecosystem where African and European startups can effectively collaborate, innovate, and scale together,” explained Fahd Benkirane, Managing Director of UM6P France, speaking at the inauguration event themed “Innovating Together: A Bridge Between Europe and Africa to Shape the Future.”
The accelerator programme’s structure is designed to offer participants a uniquely comprehensive experience. Selected startups will embark on a six-month journey, commencing with immersion within STATION F’s high-energy environment, gaining access to its cutting-edge facilities and expansive network. This European phase is then strategically interwoven with access to UM6P’s state-of-the-art infrastructure at StartGate, its dedicated startup campus located in Morocco. This bi-continental approach, termed ‘dual immersion’ by Yassine Laghzioui, Director of Entrepreneurship & Venturing at UM6P and CEO of UM6P Ventures, is intended to maximise the benefits for participating ventures.
“Alternating between STATION F and StartGate provides startups with a unique duality — deepening their understanding of the European market while simultaneously grounding them within a rapidly evolving African innovation hub,” Mr. Laghzioui elaborated. This dual-location strategy is predicated on the idea that startups with global ambitions require nuanced access to both established and emerging markets, a proposition particularly compelling for ventures targeting growth across the European-African axis.
The first cohort of NextAfrica features twelve promising startups spanning HealthTech and AgriTech. Participating startups in HealthTech include Pelican Health, SenseBiotek, VG2D Pharma, Inn’Pulse, NeuralTeks, BlocReg Solutions, iAvicenne, and Rosetta Omics. The AgriTech segment includes Sand to Green, ISTYA, AgroSfer, and IrWise.
This expansion builds upon UM6P’s earlier collaboration with STATION F, first announced on January 29. At that time, UM6P President Hicham El Habti emphasized that the partnership would equip startups with the tools needed to address Africa’s technological, economic, and environmental challenges while strengthening intercontinental cooperation.
Located in Paris’s 13th district, STATION F opened in 2017 and is housed in a 34,000-square-meter former rail freight depot. The campus hosts over 1,000 startups and maintains partnerships with global technology leaders such as Meta, Google, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and Zendesk. By establishing a presence at STATION F, UM6P joins a growing number of international institutions leveraging the facility’s resources to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
Ranked among the Top 500 in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, UM6P has actively invested in startups through UM6P Ventures. Initially focused on Moroccan startups, UM6P Ventures expanded its scope last year to support ventures across the African continent. The fund, launched in April 2021, provides early-stage funding of up to 7 million dirhams (approximately $700,000 USD) and prioritizes Deeptech startups in Greentech, Climatetech, Chemtech, and Industry 4.0.
Among its latest investments is Userguest, a platform designed to optimize direct hotel bookings. This reflects UM6P Ventures’ broader commitment to fostering technology-driven solutions with commercial viability.
Beyond NextAfrica, UM6P operates additional startup support programs. Last year, it launched The Forge, a startup residency program aimed at nurturing high-impact businesses. Hosted at UM6P’s StartGate campus in Benguerir, The Forge provides structured mentorship, cutting-edge technological infrastructure, and access to international networks. According to UM6P’s press release, the program focuses on both personal and professional development, equipping founders with the resilience and leadership skills needed for success.
With its expansion into STATION F and the launch of NextAfrica, UM6P is solidifying its role as a key player in Africa’s evolving startup landscape. By integrating African and European entrepreneurial ecosystems, the university seeks to position Morocco as a regional hub for technology-driven economic development.