Technopark Casablanca Panel Explores Startup Investment Readiness in Morocco

Casablanca – Technopark (MITC) hosted a panel discussion on Wednesday at its Casablanca site that brought together legal experts, investors and startup founders to examine practical steps and common pitfalls tied to fundraising in Morocco’s tech sector. The session focused on executional gaps startups face when moving from idea to investor-ready, with panelists and founders detailing legal structuring, taxation, data and intellectual property considerations.

"Rather than a lack of ideas or talent, she noted shortcomings in preparation when entering discussions with investors," said Lamiae Benmakhlouf, Director General of Technopark, opening the session and framing the day’s agenda.

Panel and perspectives

The discussion featured legal and investment specialists who addressed the intersection of law, tax and dealmaking, alongside founders who shared on-the-ground experience. Speakers included:

• Hajar Benyachou, Sila Law Firm
• Julien Nouchi, Gide Loyrette Nouel
• Kelly Hazan, Bird & Bird
• Nihal Grii, Renew Capital
• Simo Zizi, Co-Founder and CEO of Jobzyn
• Maha Bennani, Co-Founder and CEO of LNKO
• Moderator: Hamza Debbarh, Founder and CEO of ARK-X

Founders Simo Zizi and Maha Bennani outlined practical hurdles in early-stage rounds, from how to approach investors to structuring initial deals, while legal experts walked through common friction points such as unclear deal terms and insufficient preparation ahead of investor engagement. The audience—made up largely of entrepreneurs and investors—pressed the panel on valuation, timing and the role of advisers at different stages of a raise.

Key takeaways

Across the panel, a consistent takeaway emerged: "Startups are expected to anticipate constraints early, build a clear structure, and align with investor expectations before entering negotiations." Panelists emphasized the need for founders to get basic legal, tax and IP matters in order well before pitching, and to use advisors strategically as the company matures.

The event underscored the broader momentum in Morocco’s startup ecosystem: Moroccan startups raised close to $95 million across 40 deals in 2024, nearly tripling the previous year’s total, the panel noted. Public policy is also steering capital toward the sector—Morocco announced a MAD 1.3 billion package under its Digital 2030 strategy in December 2025, including MAD 450 million for venture capital and MAD 70 million to expand the Technopark network, with a target to create 1,000 startups by 2026.

Technopark said the discussion forms part of ongoing, hands-on support for founders: a workshop on go-to-market strategy is scheduled for April 29 in Rabat to help startups structure commercial launches and secure initial customers. With both private capital and public funds increasingly active, the panel left a clear message for founders: strong preparation and alignment with investor expectations are prerequisites for successful fundraising in Morocco’s growing tech market.