This semester’s edition brought together 40 student-led startups, driven by more than 60 entrepreneurs, and delivered one of the strongest outcomes to date. In total, the program generated 157 contributions from business angels and industry partners, including 12 equity investment proposals, reflecting both the quality of the projects and the level of engagement from the ecosystem.
“We saw a clear shift in the maturity of the projects,” said Mahmoud Tatari, Lead Coach of Entrepreneurship at AUI. “Teams are more disciplined, more consistent, and more capable of refining their ideas over time. There’s also growing participation from younger students, along with stronger interest in AI and emerging technologies.”
Following the final round, 21 startups will continue to be supported, including 10 finalists identified as the most promising, across sectors such as fintech, healthtech, sportstech, edtech, tourism, and AI-driven solutions.
Projects like ScrumIQ, led by Ziad Ezzergui, an AI platform for sports training, Flouss, led by Ihab Elbani, a personal finance app tailored to the MENA market, and GuideGo, led by Achraf Ouhdidou and Abdelhadi Marjane, a gamified city exploration app, reflect both the diversity and the level of execution demonstrated by AUI students.
Teams also secured access to a range of follow-up opportunities, including mentorship, technical support, client connections, and strategic guidance. Several startups were also offered pathways to incubation, partnerships, and early market entry.
“Today, what matters is not just funding, but execution,” said Nabil Bennis, Founder and CEO of Genesis Founders, a Moroccan venture studio. “The ability to work closely with founders, support them day-to-day, and help them build is what creates real value. We’ve identified several high-potential projects that we are ready to support in the long term, by giving them access to our teams, our network, and our expertise.”
Beyond the competition itself, Ventures Adventure contributes to the broader development of a university-based entrepreneurship ecosystem by connecting students, mentors, investors, and institutions within a shared space for exchange and experimentation.
“What stood out to me is the students’ ability to adapt, innovate, and quickly engage with real market conditions,” noted Dr. Hind Salih, Co-Founder of ABCURR Entrepreneurial Institute in Dubai. “We can no longer teach entrepreneurship the same way. It is essential to integrate more practical approaches, bring students closer to the market, and support them in turning ideas into concrete projects.”
For student entrepreneurs, the program also serves as a direct acceleration platform.
“Ventures Adventure allowed me to connect with key stakeholders and quickly turn opportunities into tangible deals,” said Ziad Ezzergui, SSE student and founder of ScrumIQ. “I signed an agreement with an investor, ABRIID Inc., a U.S.-based company, which will support me on the technical, legal, and business sides, including access to Station F, the world’s largest startup campus in Paris. It’s a real step forward for my project.”
Entrepreneurship at AUI is not limited to a single event. It is embedded throughout the student journey. Since the start of the academic year, 70 mentors have been mobilized, 31 startups have received structured support, and more than 500 students have participated in Ventures Adventure-related activities, including workshops, coaching sessions, and mentoring programs led by the Office of Employability and Entrepreneurship.
“Through all its programs, our Office is driven by a dual ambition: supporting student entrepreneurship and helping them develop an entrepreneurial mindset, while also strengthening students’ employability and readiness for the professional world. These initiatives create a direct link between academic learning and real-world conditions,” said Hanene Duprat, Director of the Office of Employability and Entrepreneurship at AUI.
This approach reflects AUI’s Liberal Arts & Sciences model, which emphasizes critical thinking, adaptability, and interdisciplinary learning. Within this framework, entrepreneurship becomes a way of approaching problems — not only for founders, but for all students not matter their professional journey.
LifeOS — led by Taha Elmouaaouy, Mohamed Reda Hmamouchi
An AI-powered platform centralizing task management, health, and personal organization to reduce mental load and improve productivity.
Flouss — led by Ihab Elbani
A personal finance management app tailored to the MENA market, helping users track expenses and manage budgets.
GuideGo — led by Achraf Ouhdidou, Abdelhadi Marjane
A mobile app transforming city exploration into an interactive, gamified experience.
RevMax — led by Othmane Hilaly
A revenue management tool for hotels, using data to optimize pricing and profitability.
Monqida — led by Douae Lanaya
An AI-based solution predicting the deterioration of fresh products to reduce waste and financial loss in retail.
Ananke Labs — led by Zakaria Chadli, Charaf Eddine Moujahid
A document management and verification platform enhancing traceability and reducing fraud risks.
ElegWear — led by Fatima Zahra Baayou, Douaa Moutawakkil
An intelligent styling app that analyzes wardrobes and suggests personalized outfits based on context and preferences.
UrEd — led by Nada Bennani
A post-secondary guidance platform combining assessments and practical experiences to support student decision-making.
ScrumIQ — led by Ziad Ezzergui
An AI-powered platform enabling coaches and rugby players to generate training plans and analyze performance using data and video.
Cinelion — led by Abir Nejjar
A cultural initiative aimed at revitalizing the artistic and cultural landscape in the Fès-Meknès-Ifrane region.
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Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) is a leading institution, established by Royal Dahir in 1993, modeled on the American Liberal Arts & Sciences system. With English as the language of instruction, AUI is committed to fostering intellectual freedom, critical thinking, global perspectives, and interdisciplinary learning, while emphasizing both international excellence and Moroccan identity.
AUI is accredited by the New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE). With programs in Engineering, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, the university prepares students to make meaningful contributions to their organizations through entrepreneurial leadership and to pursue professional success within a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.
For more information, visit www.aui.ma.