212Founders

What is 212Founders?

212Founders is an incubator and accelerator fund focused on nurturing early-stage Moroccan startups with global ambitions, specifically those with ties to Morocco and Africa. Their mission is to foster the emergence of companies capable of scaling worldwide.

Based in Casablanca, Morocco, they offer a comprehensive support program that includes a 6-month incubation phase followed by a 12-month acceleration period. They target high-potential entrepreneurs with a workable Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and measurable traction, who are executing projects within their domain of expertise with the intent to expand into Africa and the Middle East.

The support program includes personalized guidance delivered by a team with complementary skills and expertise, seeking startups that demonstrate innovation and ambition for internationalization. Entrepreneurs from various backgrounds—established businessmen, experienced employees, or recent graduates—are encouraged to apply, provided their project is innovative, scalable, and has a strong international focus. The incubation phase prepares startups for seed funding up to 700k MAD (~$70,000) for 10-20% equity, and for those progressing to the acceleration phase, there's potential for additional investment up to 1M MAD (~$100,000) during Series A rounds.

Throughout the program, startups benefit from an ecosystem of mentors, experts, and corporate partnerships that bolster growth both in Morocco and internationally. Operated by CDG Invest, the program is free for participants, with funding made available in exchange for equity during later investment rounds. 212Founders also prides itself on its entrepreneur-friendly funding model, which allows startups to receive seed funding while retaining significant control over their businesses.

The presence of campuses in both Morocco and France facilitates access to a broad network of mentors, customers, and support, strategic for international expansion, particularly towards the MENA region. 212Founders stands out by offering tailored support following international standards and by providing entrepreneurs with a program that is compatible with other forms of startup support.

What they say:

We invest in early-stage Moroccan startups after a 6-month incubation program.