The Moroccan tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem mourns the loss of Marwa Cheikh-Youssef, an architect-turned-innovator whose tireless dedication shaped the trajectory of thousands of entrepreneurs across the Kingdom and beyond. Cheikh-Youssef passed away on the evening of Sunday, December 22, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment, creativity, and unwavering commitment to fostering innovation.
Cheikh-Youssef served as president of Hack&Pitch, Morocco’s leading startup builder, and spearheaded initiatives that inspired over 40,000 young people. Under her leadership, the organization conducted more than 150 technology events, ranging from hackathons to entrepreneurship bootcamps, in Morocco and across Africa. These initiatives cultivated a generation of innovators, transforming nascent ideas into successful ventures. Her loss is deeply felt by her husband, Mehdi Alaoui, founder and CEO of La Startup Station, as well as by her family, colleagues, and the entrepreneurial community she so passionately nurtured.
Trained as an architect, Cheikh-Youssef’s early work reflected her dual passions for heritage preservation and social empowerment. Her first thesis focused on creating a craft center for rural women, blending architectural innovation with economic empowerment. Experiences in urban planning in Paris and Istanbul further shaped her vision, inspiring her to establish business incubators in underserved communities. These spaces offered young people the tools to transform their environments and their futures through entrepreneurship.
In 2016, she joined Hack&Pitch, an international movement aimed at innovation and startup development. Her leadership extended to programs like “Geek on a Bus,” which brought entrepreneurial resources and mentorship to Morocco’s most remote regions. These efforts culminated in the launch of the HACKSPACE AGR INDH by Hack&Pitch — a three-floor incubator in Casablanca’s Aïn Chock district, dedicated to advancing tech innovation and entrepreneurship.
Cheikh-Youssef’s journey with Hack&Pitch began serendipitously. While visiting a museum in New York, a friend proposed collaborating on a marketing initiative involving developers. Inspired by the idea, she organized her first hackathon, challenging participants to use her Screendy platform to build solutions and potentially launch startups. The event’s success sparked a larger vision — to bring this model to Morocco and make entrepreneurship accessible to all.
She believed entrepreneurship was not just a career choice but a way of life, one best embraced early to learn from inevitable failures. Under her guidance, Hack&Pitch expanded to over 100 universities and institutions across Morocco’s 12 regions, inspiring talents who could rival those of Silicon Valley. Her impact transcended borders, with initiatives extending to Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Jordan.
Marwa Cheikh-Youssef’s work was a testament to her belief in the transformative power of entrepreneurship. Her efforts not only cultivated talent but also redefined the entrepreneurial landscape in Morocco and Africa. Today, Hack&Pitch continues its mission under the leadership of a trusted collaborator she inspired — the same friend who witnessed her initial vision in that New York museum.
Her influence endures in the entrepreneurs she mentored, the communities she uplifted, and the countless lives she touched. As Morocco’s entrepreneurial ecosystem reflects on her contributions, it remains committed to building on her legacy. Cheikh-Youssef’s vision, passion, and generosity will continue to inspire future generations of innovators.