The Forge, UM6P’s venture acceleration program, co-organized the second edition of the QABF 2025 Startup Competition in Johannesburg.
As an official partner, The Forge contributed to the design and implementation of the competition, including a sourcing process that identified 200 startups across the continent and a structured evaluation of 20 shortlisted ventures.
Ten finalists showcased their projects on the main stage, including seven teams affiliated with the UM6P ecosystem. Three startups were selected: iAvicenne (supported by Next Africa, UM6P GLOBAL HUBS - France), which works on medical decision-support technologies; WafeeQ Technology (Qatar), developing EdTech tools for the deaf community; and NEXA AI (supported by The Forge), an AI platform connecting sponsors, CROs, and hospitals for clinical trial recruitment.
UM6P’s participation also included the Youth Track, where College of Computing student Ahmed Amine Lahlou showcased his work, and the HealthTech Clinic, where iAvicenne engaged with investors and corporate representatives.
The collaboration fostered links between African and GCC innovation networks and provided participating teams with opportunities to connect with investors, experts, and industry partners.