" I believe that strong and dynamic local startups ecosystems can help Africa solve not only its own challenges but also those of the entire world "
About Me
Hi !
My name is Mehdi Alaoui
I’m a Moroccan Tech Entrepreneur, Business Angel and African Startups ecosystem builder since 2001.
During my entrepreneurship journey and career, I had the chance to travel all over the world and meet incredible innovators and entrepreneurs that are really changing and impacting our world like Bill Gates , Satya Nadella , Jack Ma !
What I realized is that talented and ambitious entrepreneurs are everywere and that all it takes for them to succed is to offer them valuable ecosystems that have incubators/accelerators, business angels / ventures capitals and corporates / institutions that believes in them and offer them opportunities to succed !
That’s why I’m on a personal and professional mission to contributes to theses ecoystems emerge and grow all over Africa with the help of friends and partners that also share with me the vision of an Africa Startup Continent !
The challenge is HUGE but if like me, you believe that all it takes is motivated and resilient people who works together with intelligence and kindness, then join me and let’s help African entrepreneurs rise and shine worldwide!
My values
Collaboration
I believe in the. capacity of human being to collaborate for a better and peaceful world.
Trust
I believe in human kindness.
I tend to easily trust people.
Kindness
I enjoy helping others.
I am grateful to be able to support people.
My hobbies
Soccer
I am a huge fan of soccer, a fan of Raja, of Real Madrid, of PSG, and of course of the national teams of Morocco and France. And like any unconditional soccer fan, I love these atmospheres, where it sings so loudly in the stadium that you can't hear yourself, the tifos, and so on… and of course I also love football because it makes me interact with anyone no matter where he's from & what's his background.
Karting
It's about speed, competition, adrenaline, managing a good kickstart and maintaining a high yet sustainable velocity. So close to the entrepreneurship mindset.
Geek
Unable to use a device or a program without knowing exactly how it works makes me retro engineer everything I use from my messaging app to my new fridge. My wife hates that.
WHAT I DO
Tech Entrepreneur - Business Angel - Startup Evangelist
Serial Tech Entrepreneur
Never too soon to build ventures, never too late to do so! As I've always believed in the ability of technology and innovation to solve complex issues in Africa, I founded my first company at 21, and my more recent one at 42.
I am today 42. Staying an entrepreneur makes me understand startups I support, innovation I witness & markets I interact with.
Business Angel
No startups Ecosystems can grow without local Investors ! Today, stating that you believe in African startups became mainstream. Truly trusting in them requires taking risk investing in young talented teams, putting all my experience & network at their service on real smart money approaches. As a Business Angel, I may fail, but this uncertainty means I keep learning as long as I am giving back.
Ecosystem Builder
Along my entrepreneurial journey, I've been fighting for the creation of a startup friendly environment in terms of legislation, network, trust, economics and opportunities creation. Today as tech ecosystems are riding in Africa I am doing my best to consolidate these efforts along with amazing partners building a real entrepreneurship starbase across Africa.
My Journey
It may sound cliché, but building a business really is a journey in which you take small steps every day down a road to reach your destination. Curious to know more about my journey as a Tech Entrepreneur, Business Angel, and Ecosystem Builder?
Startup Square
Silicon Valley
ScreenDy
Qui va investir dans mon projet
Hack&Pitch
Hackathon in plane
My Impact
40.000
Inspired aspiring entrepreneurs
+280
Incubated Startups
+570
Jobs created
$10 Millon
Turnover generated by startups
$1.4 Millon
Startups that have raised funds from Business Angels
48
Startup solutions deployed within corporates
Awards
Winner of MIT Startup Track 2015
Winner of Get In The Ring 2014
Red Herring Top 100 Asia 2014
1st Prize of innovation med-it 2013
Winner of “SoJava 2013” Orange (France télécom group)
Laureate of entrepreneurship network “Entreprendre”, Réseaux entreprendre 2006
Jury Prize in “Challengers” an entrepreneurship TV reality show 2M 2005
Finalist of “Siemens Master Java Mobile” Sun Microsystems & Siemens 2002
Medias Articles
My greatest gratification is to receive recognition for what we have built. Our work today is internationally recognized with more than 500 press articles relating our work.
This motivates me to improve even more.
Mehdi Alaoui's Interview on CNN
9 Notable Startup Accelerators In MENA
"ScreenDY"... Distinguished solutions in the world of programming
Sommet Afrique-France : vers une nouvelle collaboration entrepreneuriale ?
Pour la passion du Maroc, de la technologie et des autres
Qui va investir dans mon projet ? – Spécial Startup" - Saison 2: Plus de 13 MDH de levée de fonds
Some feedbacks from people I had the opportunity to meet & work with
Throughout the years, I've had the opportunity to meet incredible people with whom I have been able to work, discuss, and share my vision of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Here are some of them and some of their testimonials.