Innov Invest: TAMWILCOM's Strategic Program to Boost Innovation and Support Entrepreneurs in Morocco

The Innov Invest program is a strategic initiative launched in 2017 by TAMWILCOM (formerly CCG), a key institution in financing the Moroccan economy. Its primary objective is to boost Morocco's innovation ecosystem by providing tailored financial support and guidance to innovative project holders, particularly those in technological sectors. Innov Invest targets young entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and startups who struggle to access traditional financing, especially during the initial stages of their ideas' development. This program is essential to bridge the funding gap that often hinders innovative projects from critical phases like ideation, prototyping, commercial launch, and growth.

Learn more about TAMWILCOM: Visit the organization website

The Three Funding Phases of Innov Invest

Innov Invest is structured around three distinct funding phases, each designed to meet the specific needs of projects according to their level of advancement:

1. Tech Start: Igniting Innovation

• This first phase targets projects currently in the ideation stage or initial prototyping phase.
• It offers an interest-free honor loan that can reach 200,000 dirhams.
• For projects supported by a patent, the amount can be increased to 400,000 dirhams.
• This funding is crucial for covering initial expenses such as feasibility studies, prototype development, and concept validation with potential users.

2. Tech Boost: Accelerating Product and Market

• The Tech Boost phase targets startups that have already validated their concept and are ready to develop a minimum viable product (MVP) and initiate their market launch strategy.
• The interest-free loan can go up to 500,000 dirhams.
• For projects presenting a disruptive innovation, funding can reach 750,000 dirhams.
• This loan is granted without collateral, provided the project is supported by a TAMWILCOM-approved structure (incubator or accelerator), ensuring a solid support framework. It covers expenses related to product development, market testing, and initial commercial strategy.

3. Tech Scale: Growth and Expansion

• The final phase, Tech Scale, is for more mature startups, generally those with at least two years of existence and seeking to significantly accelerate their growth.
• Funding takes the form of a mezzanine loan, providing quasi-equity.
• The amount can go up to 3 million dirhams, with a deferred repayment period.
• This loan aims to strengthen the company's financial structure, complementing other funding (bank loans or fundraising), and preparing the startups for larger future investments, including international expansion.

An Indirect Distribution Model for Enhanced Support

One of Innov Invest's main strengths lies in its indirect distribution model. TAMWILCOM does not directly finance project holders but relies on a network of certified support structures. These partners play an essential role in the program's success:

• Impact Lab: Visit the organization website
• Enactus: Visit the organization website
• CEED: Visit the organization website
• Bidaya: Visit the organization website
• LaFactory: Visit the organization website

These structures provide personalized follow-up, strategic and technical support, as well as training and mentorship, thereby strengthening entrepreneurial capacities and securing investments.

Innov Invest: A Strategic Lever for the Moroccan Ecosystem

In summary, Innov Invest transcends merely providing funds to position itself as a major strategic lever for the development of innovation in Morocco. It is part of an ecosystemic approach, fostering the emergence and consolidation of an innovative, competitive, and sustainable entrepreneurial fabric. The program actively contributes to shaping the country's economic future by cultivating the next generation of innovative enterprises.