Iqlaa is a new accelerator for Moroccan cultural and creative enterprises, launched August 27, 2026 by Africalia, Fondation Hiba, and Institut français with funding from the European Union — offering coaching, seed grants of 30,000-50,000 MAD, and growth grants of up to 450,000 MAD to around 20 young-led enterprises in its first cohort.
Applications are open now through September 27, 2026. Here’s what’s confirmed about eligibility, funding, the program’s three phases, and how to apply.
Key Takeaways
- Iqlaa is billed as Morocco’s first accelerator dedicated to cultural and creative enterprises (ICC), launched August 27, 2026.
- It’s run by a consortium of Africalia, Fondation Hiba, and Institut français, with financial backing from the European Union, across three editions running through the end of 2029.
- The program moves entrepreneurs through three phases: Intégration, Renforcement, and Impulsion.
- Financial support includes seed grants of 30,000-50,000 MAD and growth grants of 300,000-450,000 MAD.
- Eligible applicants are Morocco-based ICC enterprises (SARL, SA, or auto-entreprise) led by a reference person aged 18 to 35.
- Applications close September 27, 2026 at 23:59; a free online information session runs September 9, 2026.
What Is Iqlaa 2026?
Iqlaa — Arabic for “takeoff” — is an accelerator built specifically for Morocco’s Industries Culturelles et Créatives (ICC): businesses working in fields like design, music, film, publishing, crafts, and cultural tourism. It’s structured as a multi-year program, running across three successive editions through the end of 2029, each one moving a fresh cohort of entrepreneurs through three phases of support: Intégration, Renforcement, and Impulsion. The first edition targets roughly twenty enterprises.
Who Organizes Iqlaa?
Iqlaa is implemented by a three-way consortium: Africalia (a Belgian organization supporting culture and creative entrepreneurship in Africa), Fondation Hiba, and the Institut français, with funding from the European Union. The program was formally launched on August 27, 2026, as part of a wider set of EU-backed projects supporting Morocco’s cultural and creative industries, alongside two other initiatives signed the same season.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Iqlaa 2026 |
|---|---|
| Program | Iqlaa — accelerator for Moroccan cultural & creative enterprises |
| Organizers | Africalia, Fondation Hiba, Institut français |
| Funder | European Union |
| Editions | 3, running through end of 2029 |
| First cohort | ~20 enterprises |
| Eligible applicants | ICC enterprises based in Morocco; reference person aged 18-35 |
| Seed grant | 30,000-50,000 MAD |
| Growth grant | 300,000-450,000 MAD |
| Application window | August 27 – September 27, 2026 (23:59 local time) |
| Info session | September 9, 2026, 12:00 (online), plus in-person sessions Sept 9-22 |
| How to apply | Online form or email iqlaa@fondationhiba.ma |
The Three Phases of Iqlaa
Intégration (2 months)
Each selected enterprise starts with an individual needs assessment and action plan, followed by a five-day bootcamp for strategy refinement and peer networking. The phase closes with the submission of the seed-grant application; enterprises with consistent attendance are awarded the 30,000-50,000 MAD seedling grant at a bootcamp ceremony in mid-December 2026.
Renforcement (3 months)
Individual coaching and collective training sessions cover intellectual property, digital marketing, and accounting, preparing each entrepreneur to pitch for access to the growth phase.
Impulsion (5 months)
The final phase focuses on investment and fundraising readiness, export preparation, and financial and creative mentorship, and includes a six-day immersive visit to a European cultural ecosystem, planned for autumn-winter 2027-28.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
The organization must be a SARL, SA, or auto-entreprise registered with Moroccan authorities for at least one year by September 27, 2026, active in an eligible ICC sector, and based in Morocco. Non-profit associations and public or state organizations are not eligible.
The reference person — the applicant’s director or an associate with decision-making authority — must be between 18 and 35 years old, fluent in French or Darija, based in Morocco, and able to commit to the full program.
Eligible Sectors
Iqlaa covers twelve cultural and creative industries:
- Animation, gaming & multimedia
- Crafts & creative arts
- Performing arts
- Visual arts
- Broadcasting & distribution
- Film & audiovisual
- Events & festivals
- Publishing
- Fashion & design
- Music
- Cultural heritage, tourism, architecture & gastronomy
- Press, media & advertising/marketing
Selection Criteria and Process
Applications are scored across eight criteria — company relevance and offer clarity, business maturity and management capacity, the reference person’s and team’s experience, market understanding and strategy, economic-model viability, growth-project coherence and scalability, budget efficiency, and motivation — each worth five points, plus up to two bonus points for social, territorial, or responsible impact.
Selection runs in four stages: an eligibility check, jury evaluation against the scoring criteria, a central committee that aggregates results and makes the final call, and an announcement of selected candidates. The jury draws on the three consortium members plus Moroccan cultural-sector representatives.
How to Apply
A complete application needs seven supporting documents: a two-page organization presentation, a growth-project budget (using the required template, within the 300,000-450,000 MAD range), registration documents and bylaws, a signed commitment letter, the reference person’s two-page CV, a valid ID copy, and proof of bank details (RIB).
Applications are submitted via the official online form or by email to iqlaa@fondationhiba.ma, before September 27, 2026, at 23:59. Candidates can also register for the September 9 online information session or attend one of the in-person sessions held in several Moroccan cities between September 9 and 22.
Timeline
- August 27 – September 27, 2026: applications open
- September 9, 2026: online info session; in-person sessions run through September 22
- October 2026: file review and selection
- November-December 2026: Intégration phase
- Mid-December 2026: bootcamp and seed-grant awards
- January-March 2027: Renforcement phase
- March 2027: pitches and growth-grant selection
- April-August 2027: Impulsion phase
- Autumn-winter 2027-28: European ecosystem immersion visit (dates to be confirmed)
Why Iqlaa Matters for Morocco’s Creative Economy
Iqlaa arrives as part of a broader push to structure funding and support around Morocco’s cultural and creative industries, alongside other EU-backed initiatives launched the same year. For entrepreneurs building in film, design, music, publishing, or crafts, it’s a rare case of a program offering both non-dilutive capital and a structured, multi-month coaching path rather than a one-off grant. If cultural and creative entrepreneurship isn’t your focus, Moroccopreneur is also tracking other live calls, including the Mastercard EdTech Fellowship Cohort 4 2026, MY MVP 2026, and the Launchpad for Early Growth Pre-Series A AI Ventures — see our full Opportunities coverage for the rest of the field.
FAQ: Iqlaa 2026
What is Iqlaa 2026?
Iqlaa is an accelerator for Moroccan cultural and creative enterprises, launched August 27, 2026 by Africalia, Fondation Hiba, and Institut français, with EU funding. It runs across three editions through 2029, moving each cohort through three phases: Intégration, Renforcement, and Impulsion.
Who can apply?
Morocco-based cultural and creative enterprises (SARL, SA, or auto-entreprise, at least one year old) led by a reference person aged 18 to 35 with decision-making authority. Non-profits and public bodies aren’t eligible.
How much funding is available?
Selected enterprises can receive a seed grant of 30,000-50,000 MAD after the Intégration phase, and a growth grant of 300,000-450,000 MAD after pitching in the Renforcement phase.
What is the application deadline?
September 27, 2026, at 23:59 local time. An online information session is held September 9, 2026, at noon, with additional in-person sessions in several Moroccan cities through September 22.
How do I apply?
Submit the required documents via the official online form or by email to iqlaa@fondationhiba.ma before the deadline.
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