Apply Now: Region 8 Sustainable Development Workshop – Marrakesh, Morocco
IEEE Entrepreneurship Morocco Workshop – 4 – 6 November 2023 – Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel, Marrakech, Morocco
Are you interested in commercializing your idea or invention and creating a business? Do you live in Africa, Europe, or
Middle East and are interested in entrepreneurship? Apply to join IEEE Entrepreneurship and IEEE Region 8 for a workshop focused on making the world a better place. This workshop is for people working in the STEM fields whose ideas support the UN-Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs).
We are looking for interested participants who will work in teams to develop their ideas and then pitch to judges on the last day.
The workshop will be held from 4-6 November in conjunction with the IEEE PowerAfrica Conference in Marrakesh, Morocco. The workshop will also be preceded by two virtual calls in the two weeks prior to the workshop to solicit your
ideas and to start building the teams. You will work in teams of approximately five people to develop your pitch deck.
At the workshop, you will learn about topics like taking an idea to market, lean business model canvas, marketing and digital marketing, value proposition, finances, intellectual property, contracts and negotiation, leadership soft skills, and hear from experts on local investment opportunities, local entrepreneurial success stories and more. You will be mentored by a team of experienced inventors and entrepreneurs.
Apply by October 6. Successful applicants will be notified by October 9. IEEE will provide complimentary registration that includes coffee break, lunches, and shared accommodations for three nights.
Topics covered
- Scientists and engineers as entrepreneurs
- Opportunity and value assessment
- Intellectual property (IP)
- Business Model and Business Plan fundamentals
- Marketing and Value Proposition for Customers
- Technology readiness levels
- Invention to product: timelines and processes
- Tools for financial estimations
- Pitching
- Networking, communication, and presentation skills
- Access to finance
- Case studies and group projects.
Workshop Information
This workshop will take place at the Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel, Avenue du President Kennedy, Marrakech Morocco from 4 – 6 November 2023.
The workshop will run approximately 8 hours each day. Prior to these in-person sessions, two mandatory online preparatory sessions for all participants will take place (dates and times TBD).
Participants are expected to bear their own travel expenses to the venue of the workshop. However, a few need-based partial travel grants may be available from IEEE for deserving IEEE members for the workshop. Please indicate your need in the application.
Participation Eligibility Information
This workshop is open to all enthusiastic university-level (undergraduate/postgraduate and doctoral) STEM students. This event is for those who have a high motivation for becoming technical entrepreneurs (technopreneurs). Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
The selection of candidates will be based on their technology background and also their strong motivation to become entrepreneurs. Applications for participation in the workshop are no longer open.
Only those participants who can commit to devoting the above-said effort are encouraged to apply.
For further information contact: Ken Stauffer / Surya Raghu.
Organizing team: Ken Stauffer, Surya Raghu, Tom Monaco, Habib Kammoun
