The Open Start program, led by CEED Maroc in collaboration with a leading banking group, is designed to foster open innovation by connecting startups with real-world business challenges. The initiative seeks fintech and AI-driven solutions that can address specific operational, risk, and customer experience needs within the financial services sector. Applications close August 25, 2025.
Program Focus Areas
Target Sectors:
- Regulatory Tech
- Financial Inclusion
- Credit Scoring & Digital Lending
- Fraud Detection & Prevention
- Customer Onboarding
- Finance AI & Data Analytics Training
- Scalable API Infrastructure
- Digital Payments & Embedded Finance
- Agent Banking & Mobile Wallets
- Blockchain Regulatory Compliance
- Risk Management Automation
- Banking AI Agents
- Cybersecurity Readiness
Geographic Scope:
- Africa-based companies (including Morocco)
- Open to African and international startups aligned with the challenges
Eligibility:
- Incorporated companies
- Stages: Prototype, Early Users, or Paying Users
- Funding stages: Angel, Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, or Series B
- May or may not have raised capital
- Currently raising or not raising funds
- Revenue-generating or pre-revenue
Challenge Categories
Operational Efficiency
- AI-powered Factoring Document Control – Automating fraud detection and document validation in factoring operations.
- AI Model for Predicting Client Financial Distress – Early risk detection via behavioral and socio-economic data analysis.
- Credit Churn Prevention – Predicting early loan repayments and enabling targeted retention strategies.
- Augmented Data Expert – Translating business queries into SQL for faster analytics.
- AI & Gamification in Skills Assessment – Enhancing HR evaluations with interactive, bias-reduced tools.
Fraud, Risk & Security
- Intelligent IT Asset Mapping & Shadow IT Detection – Real-time asset inventory and anomaly detection.
- Proactive Sensitive Data Leak Detection – Continuous monitoring for banking data exposure across channels.
- Prepaid Card Fraud Prevention – Machine learning models to detect and prevent suspicious activity.
Customer & Employee Experience
- Multilingual Voicebot/Chatbot – AI-driven, 24/7 support in Arabic, French, and Darija for common banking inquiries.
- Rhalia – Well-being AI Agent – Personalized employee wellness support across physical, mental, and digital health.
- SatisfAI – Emotion-based Customer Satisfaction Tool – Real-time sentiment analysis and personalized feedback delivery.
Program Benefits
- Co-creation of proof-of-concepts with the banking partner
- Mentorship and expert guidance from CEED Maroc and CEED Global networks
- Fast-track access to decision-makers and industry specialists
- Targeted matchmaking with potential clients and partners
- Opportunities to secure pilot projects and commercial agreements
Application Timeline
- Deadline: August 25, 2025
Open Start by CEED Maroc provides a platform for startups to align innovative fintech and AI solutions with pressing industry challenges identified by a leading banking group. The program facilitates collaboration, accelerates product-market fit, and encourages practical implementations. All applications and participation details are managed directly by CEED Maroc through its official channels.