This event, organized by AUI’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Employability (EEO), offers students the chance to bring their business projects to life through a mentorship program and connect with potential investors to take their ideas to the next level.
Each semester, over 600 students participate in this event to present nearly 200 project ideas. Of these, around 20 are selected for the final stages, which include four weeks of intensive coaching with 60 mentors and 20 “business angels” and venture capitalists from diverse sectors and organizations, including Attijariwafa Bank, Bank of Africa, Saïdia Development Company, and Carnegie Mellon University Africa.
This edition has a new international dimension, with mentors and investors from Morocco as well as the United States, Palestine, Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and France. A new Pan-African component is also introduced, featuring participation from students across Africa. This collaboration between Moroccan and other African students aims to encourage innovation across the continent.
Nicolas Klotz, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship at AUI, explains that the primary goal of this event is to “cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among students—an essential quality not only for launching a business but one highly valued by Moroccan employers in both the public and private sectors.” He adds, “Today, companies don’t just hire based on academic skills; they seek profiles capable of thinking globally and taking initiative.”
Highlighting the importance of boldness and innovation, qualities that AUI actively fosters in its students, Klotz states, “This program is designed so that students learn to seize opportunities, take measured risks, and test their ideas in a safe environment.” For him, “the real risk is not taking any at all.”
"Entrepreneurship Month" Follows a Three-Step Format:
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Rapid Ideation: Teams of two to three students present their ideas to professional coaches using the ‘Business Model Canvas’ method.
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Primary Mentoring: Selected teams participate in in-depth mentoring sessions with industry experts, receiving valuable advice to refine their projects and better prepare for the market.
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Mentoring with Business Angels: The most promising projects are given the chance to meet with business angels who are prepared to offer financial support under specific conditions.
Along with financial rewards and investment opportunities, the biggest gain for students participating in “Entrepreneurship Month” is the connection with professional mentors and potential clients. EEO has also set up an online incubator to allow mentors to continue guiding student projects even after the event.
With a total of 700 students participating in the previous edition, Al Akhawayn University remains committed to fostering an innovative spirit. Supported by its Liberal Arts academic system, this ongoing commitment equips students with diverse skills, nurtures critical thinking, and prepares them to face the challenges of the global market.
About the Office of Entrepreneurship and Employability (EEO):
The Office of Entrepreneurship and Employability at Al Akhawayn University believes every student has multiple futures. Its mission is to ensure that each student receives several job or investment offers before graduation. The office builds valuable connections between students and markets in Morocco and the MENA region. Whether students aspire to start their careers, work remotely for prominent companies, or establish their own businesses, the office provides them with the essential resources to succeed.