Valyans consulting, Ribat Al Fath and Startup Maroc are the 3 partners behind the creation of “Medinatech”, a technological incubator to support innovative project leaders, located in the heart of Rabat’s medina. Thanks to donations and subsidies, Valyans consulting, Ribat Al Fath and Startup Maroc were able to renovate an old building in the heart of Rabat’s medina, which belonged to Ribat Al Fath. The 3 partners have turned it into a modern facility, complete with fiber optics and a SubLab where young entrepreneurs can prototype their products. “Our medinas can be part of the present. That’s why we decided to set up a technology incubator here. It’s thanks to projects like this that we can bring our medinas back to life,” explains Saadia Slaoui Bennani, CEO of Valyans consulting. Indeed, the 3 partners did not choose this location by chance. The aim is to “shake up a number of preconceptions”, including those relating to young people, who are often seen as a problem. According to Saadia Slaoui Bennani, “youth is THE solution. She’s innovative and resourceful, with lots of talent. “Without setting an age limit, the “Medinatech” incubator is looking for innovation and vocation, explains Ms. Slaoui Bennani. “You have to have a good idea and be highly motivated to put it into practice. There will be a selection process, based on project and motivation criteria. These criteria will be refined over time, depending on the applications we receive, but the most important thing is to have as much impact as possible,” she explains. “In any case, a project with potential will not be discarded. We’re not looking for performance or speed, because Medinatech is an associative project”. Medinatech’s support services In addition to the space set aside to house these projects in a suitable environment, with all the logistics required to work in good conditions, this incubator will support young project leaders by helping them to formalize their project. “By formalizing their business plan, they can more easily seek financing. This is a role that Valyans will play, mobilizing its consultants to support project leaders in developing their ideas, refining them, translating them into figures and so on.” Business management training and coaching are also planned, because “it’s not enough to have a good idea, you also need to know how to run a business”, stresses our interlocutor. Other support: Connecting people. This can take a number of forms, including events with potential investors and clients, or an investment by Valyans consulting. “We don’t rule out the possibility of acquiring a stake in projects with potential,” says the CEO.