The Fez Smart Factory Competitions, launched as part of the FSF Ecosystem and led by the EuroMed University of Fes (UEMF), Morocco, is a competition for companies to become part of an all-in-one support zone for innovative activities. This competition is launched to improve industrial productivity and other KPIs or develop new factories for innovative products, by implementing the principles, methods, and technologies of Industry 4.0.
This year, the competition benefits from the support and sponsorship of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as part of a broader effort to support FSF and the whole Industry 4.0 ecosystem in Morocco.
Make sure to apply by 15th December 2024.
The Fez Smart Factory Competitions Seeks Applicants for Five Ecosystem Components
The Fez Smart Factory Competitions invites applications from innovative companies to join one of the following five components of the FSF Ecosystem:
The Fez Smart Factory Incubator (for Project Holders)
👉 Apply for the Fez Smart Factory Project Holders’ Competition 2024!
It is a reception area designed for project holders (natural persons) to carry out activities related to the incubation of development projects for intelligent industrial units for high value-added and competitive products. The Technological Readiness Level of the project should be higher or equal to three (TRL >=3).
The Fez Smart Factory Accelerator (for Startups)
👉 Apply for the Fez Smart Factory Startups’ Competition 2024!
A reception area for startups with development projects for intelligent industrial units for high value-added and competitive products. The TRL of the project should be higher than 5 and less than 8.
R&D Services for Industry 4.0 (for R&D Entities)
👉 Apply for the Fez Smart Factory R&D Entities Competition 2024!
The Fez Smart Factory Competitions aims to select five R&D entities, to be established in the spaces dedicated to R&D services of the FSF ecosystem. A single entity will be selected per industrial sector among those covered by the FSF Ecosystem. (find the list of focus areas below).
Engineering Services for Industry 4.0 (for Engineering Companies)
👉 Apply for the Fez Smart Factory Engineering Companies’ Competition 2024!
The Fez Smart Factory Competitions aims to select ten engineering companies, to be established in the spaces dedicated to the engineering services of the FSF ecosystem. They will be selected on the basis of technology and use cases, ranging from predictive maintenance to optimal energy management and cloud solutions, among others. (find the list of focus areas below).
Business Center 4.0 (for SMEs & Large Industrial Companies)
👉 Apply for the Fez Smart Factory Business Center Competition 2024!
A reception area for industrial companies with projects for intelligent industrial units for competitive products. The TRL of the project should be higher than 8.
More on the Fez Smart Factory Ecosystem
In addition, the FSF Ecosystem comprises the following components, which successful applicants will gain access to or interact with during a later stage:
- Spaces dedicated to setting up innovative industrial 4.0 units on a demonstration scale developed by startups.
- The Rapid Prototyping Center (Additive Manufacturing Lab): The center, owned by the Euromed University of Fez (UEMF), will offer prototyping services with access to advanced additive manufacturing machines that can work with various materials, including metal, plastic, ceramic, and concrete.
- Pilot School Factory 4.0: Its main mission is to provide training in the technologies and concepts of Industry 4.0, equipping participants with practical skills and knowledge. It also plays a crucial role in supporting FSF beneficiaries by assisting them in selecting and implementing the appropriate technologies for their smart factories.
Why Should You Establish Your Business in Morocco?
Fez Smart Factory innovation ecosystem was developed by the UEMF in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Regional Council of Fez-Meknes, the Digital Development Agency (ADD), the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) represented by its Fès-Meknes branch and the company Alten Delivery Center Maroc.
The project received support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. government foreign aid agency, and is currently benefiting from assistance provided by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The aim of the ecosystem is to set up a national model for future business initiatives aspiring to join the fourth industrial revolution. It also aims to provide a startup accelerator to develop new factories for innovative products and support existing industrial units to optimize KPIs.
Moreover, Morocco offers several incentives for businesses to establish in Morocco, including:
Pro-Business Policy
- Morocco is politically & economically stable under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI
- Strong macroeconomic environment
- Reliable business partnerships
Competitive Environment
- Strategic location for investment & trade
- Investment Charter with significant incentives for foreign investors
- Close to Tangier Med Port – the first trans-shipment hub in Africa
- World-class public infrastructure throughout Morocco
- Dynamic & qualified workforce
- Home to high-end integrated industrial platforms
Sustainability Leader
- 37% of electric energy is supplied from renewables
- Aim to reach 52% from wind, solar & hydro by 2030
- 4 GW & USD 6 billion in investments
How Will Your Business Benefit from the Fez Smart Factory Competitions?
Fez Smart Factory Competitions are open to any innovative project, project holder, startup, or company, whether Moroccan or foreign, that has an eligible project aiming at developing a new innovative industrial unit for high-value-added and competitive product(s).
The Competitions also welcome participation from engineering companies specializing in one of the use cases or technology of Industry 4.0, as well as R&D entities working to optimize the value chain within industrial sectors covered by the FSF Ecosystem.
What’s in Store for the Successful Candidates?
Benefits for Project Holders & All Companies:
- Access to a 20m2 office equipped with office furniture, conference rooms, and an exhibition hall that can host up to 300 people
- One-stop-shop services
- Social services: catering and cafeteria; health and safety services, and childcare services
- Support services for industrial property, business planning, and industrial development
- Gain access to experts, donors, investors, manufacturers, etc. based in Morocco
- Services of the rapid prototyping center shared with the UEMF
- Services of the Pilot School Factory 4.0
- Facilitation of access to other technological or other services which can be provided by the various components of the UEMF
Special Benefits for Startups:
- Access to a 20m2 workshop for prototyping and tests
- Access to a space for the development of the smart factory at a demonstration scale
Additional Special Benefits for Engineering Companies and R&D Entities:
- Workstations in an office space or access to an R&D workshop
- Assistance in identifying the transformation needs of existing industries
- Support services for the transformation of existing industrial units, or for the benefit of Business Center companies, startups, and project leaders established at FSF
Key Focus Areas for the Fez Smart Factory Competitions
Industrial Sectors of Interest for the Fez Smart Factory Competitions:
- Food
- Chemical and Para-Chemical
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
- Metal, Metallurgical, and Electromechanical
- Renewable Energy
- Textile and Leather
- Digital Tech
Use Cases & Technologies of Interest for Engineering Companies Applying for the Fez Smart Factory Competitions:
- Predictive Maintenance
- Optimal Energy Management
- Industrial Supply Chain Management
- IoT and Sensors
- Connectivity and Cloud
- Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Industrial Automation (Robotics & Cobotics)
- Mechanical Manufacturing Processes
- Chemical and/or Biological Transformation Processes
- Data Analytics and AI
The final deadline to submit the application form and all the administrative and technical documents to Fez Smart Factory is December 15th, 2024. So, what are you waiting for? Click here to find the Fez competition that suits you the best and apply today!
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