Network Member

Al Akhawayn University Incubator

Morocco

Overview Highlights Events Featured Tools Statistics

Contacts	Mimoune El asri m.elasri@aui.ma http://www.aui.ma
Objectives	Affect policymaking Commercialize research Create companies that export revenues Create jobs Develop profitable enterprises Provide income generating opportunities for disadvantaged populations Raise the awareness of potential entrepreneurs The main objective of Al Akhawayn University Incubator is to create an enabling environment for regional and national socio-economic development. Taking advantage of Al Akhawayn University’s human and physical resources, in addition to its international and national network, the incubator aims at implementing a strategic goal for the Meknes-Tafilalt region that relates to creating start-up companies for graduated tenants. The infoDev funded work program is to build the local capacity within Al Akhawayn University, to support existing firms that have difficulties in reaching their innovative potential and help the university graduates with original ideas create new companies, to contribute to regional development.
Description	Al Akhawayn University Incubator is an entrepreneurial platform that has been recently established within the university for two main reasons. For one, to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the region by giving the necessary logistical and technical support to entrepreneurs to succeed their ventures. Second, to create a bridge between the university's academic and research competencies on one hand, and the commercial market on the other hand. The overall goal of the incubator is to create wealth in the region.
Interests	- Attract innovative and promising projects - Ensure the sustainability of the incubator, more expressively its funding - Increase awareness of the importance of the incubation model
Services	Facilities: ICT services Facilities: Office space Facilities: Shared laboratories Facilities: Shared workshops Facilities: Special rates with service providers Finance: Equity Financing Finance: Financial management training Finance: Financial management/accounting services Finance: Linkages to financiers Finance: Loan Finance: Loan Guarantees Finance: Seed Capital Finance: Venture Capital Incubation and Business Development: Business information Incubation and Business Development: Business management and development advisory services Incubation and Business Development: Incubation program for non-resident clients (virtual incubation) Incubation and Business Development: Incubation program for resident clients Incubation and Business Development: Mentoring/coaching Incubation and Business Development: Pre-incubation services Incubation and Business Development: Training in business management International Business Services: Help entering particular markets International Business Services: Trade facilitation Networks and Synergy: Facilitation of linkages between incubates Networks and Synergy: Networking events Networks and Synergy: Referrals to business professionals Technology Transfer: Help with commercializing technology Technology Transfer: Help with intellectual property/patent advice Other: Finance: Micro loans
Year Opened	2006
Type	Academic
Model	Not-for-profit
Sectors	Mixed Use Other: ICT, Biotechnologies and Environment
Target Population
Advocacy	This organization actively works to improve innovation and entrepreneurship policy and regulation

Outcomes of 7th MENAinc Workshop: Incubation and Technology Parks for Economic Growth

18 December 2008 | The MENAinc workshop gathered more than 30 participants representing 8 countries from infoDev's MENAinc Network. Issues including regional business incubation trends and perspectives as well the Moroccan business incubation experience were discussed. The network elected a new Board of Directors and deepened cooperation around core working groups including technology entrepreneurship and commercialization of innovation. More

Business Incubation and Technology Parks for Economic Growth: 7th MENAinc Workshop

29 October 2008 | More

Contract tool used by Morocco Al Akhawayn University

3 December 2007 | More

Space

	Business Incubator	Technopark
Buildings	1
sq.m. available in total	300
sq.m used for incubator services/admin	100
sq.m. rented by client firms	200

Clients

	On-Site	Off-Site	Technopark
	Business Incubator
Number of client firms	8
Number of employees in client firms	16

Graduation

Number of graduated firms
	Last Year	Total*
Number of employees in graduated firms
Companies still in operation 3 years after graduation

*since beginning of incubator operation

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