Moroccan venture studio Genesis Founders has officially launched at GITEX AFRICA 2026 in Marrakesh, introducing a new model of entrepreneurial support to the North African ecosystem. Moving beyond the traditional venture capital role of passive investment, the firm positions itself as a hands-on co-founder, dedicated to building startups from the ground up alongside ambitious entrepreneurs.
A Collaborative Approach To Startup Creation
Genesis Founders enters the market with a “co-founding” philosophy designed to mitigate the early-stage risks often associated with new ventures. The studio provides a comprehensive support package that includes between 1 million and 2 million MAD in initial capital per project. Beyond financing, the studio offers a dedicated workspace and high-touch operational partnership, aiming to guide each portfolio company through the critical phase between ideation and their second funding round.
The studio’s methodology is structured into three distinct phases: Innovate, Build, and Grow. During the “Innovate” stage, the team focuses on cogenerating and selecting ideas while developing a first prototype. The “Build” phase involves team assembly and go-to-market execution, while the “Grow” phase prepares the startup for institutional fundraising and helps structure corporate governance.
Targeted Sectors And Strategic Impact
Genesis Founders has identified several high-growth sectors where it intends to focus its operational and financial resources. These include FinTech, InsurTech, AgriTech, and HealthTech, alongside EdTech, ClimateTech, and B2B SaaS. By specializing in these verticals, the studio aims to address specific infrastructure and service gaps within the Moroccan and wider African markets.
The leadership team bringing this vision to life includes Founder and CEO Nabil Bennis, alongside Venture Partners Aicha Fakhir and Marie-Anne El Mestassi, and Tech Lead Imad Boulyakine. The studio is also supported by a network of senior advisors, including Ali Kettani and Mohamed Berrada, who bring expertise in M&A, financial advisory, and corporate strategy.
Strengthening The Moroccan Ecosystem
The launch comes at a time when Morocco is actively seeking to enhance its position as a regional tech hub. By providing shared services and a structured methodology, Genesis Founders aims to reduce the mortality rate of early-stage projects. The studio’s objective is to catalyze the emergence of a new generation of Moroccan entrepreneurs who have “skin in the game” but require the institutional backing and technical resources of a venture studio to scale effectively toward Series A rounds.
About Genesis Founders
Genesis Founders is a Moroccan venture studio based in Casablanca that streamlines the creation of successful startups by providing financing, operational support, and shared services. Acting as a true co-founder, the studio intervenes at the ideation, pre-seed, and seed phases, helping ambitious founders navigate early uncertainty to build high-growth companies across Morocco and Africa.
Source: Genesis Founders
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