Interview with Fatim-Zahra Biaz Fatim-Zahra Biaz, founder of New Work Lab

How did New Work Lab, which you founded in Casablanca in 2013, come about?

Fatim-Zahra Biaz  - French-Moroccan, I used to live in Paris for a long time and frequented the co-working spaces there. During my international travels, I saw this world of digital nomads being set up in 2010-2011. I loved this movement that was taking hold. When I wanted to start a business in Morocco, I realised that there was no platform to bring entrepreneurs together. The world of start-ups didn't yet exist in Morocco and, as someone who wanted to be an entrepreneur, I wanted to create something for Moroccan entrepreneurs that I couldn't find myself in Casablanca, but that existed elsewhere. I received an enthusiastic welcome from local entrepreneurs I didn't know, who embraced the project and helped it to take shape. The idea of creating a place for start-ups was in the air at the time. It was the right time.

What type of entrepreneurs or start-up creators do you see at New Work Lab? What do they need most and what do you bring to the table?

F-Z B - In five years, we have welcomed 15,000 people to our premises for events and workshops. We've brought together 400 companies in New Work Lab and 'accelerated' around a hundred of them from idea to first customer. Rather than a co-working space, which is just one aspect of our activities, we see ourselves as a transit space for all those who are starting out as entrepreneurs and are looking for a community of partners. They find customers and opportunities here. We cater for both Moroccan and foreign companies, who can receive support and advice. Quite a few French companies come through New Work Lab, and we also have a lot of international companies, such as Uber, who have come through our premises. Above all, we are a laboratory for new ways of working in a world that is changing at start-up speed. We have also started to work with major companies on innovation issues in Morocco.

How do you see the city developing in terms of investment and the business climate?

F-Z B - Casablanca is a land of opportunities, and there are more and more of them. In France or the United States, if you're good, you'll just be average. Here, if you're a good professional, if you inspire confidence and manage to build a solid reputation, you'll be given your chance. And, as a result, you can build fantastic things. Obstacles are part of this dynamic. For example, for online platform companies, under-banking is a challenge, as is a sub-optimal internet connection and delivery times. But there are also opportunities for entrepreneurs in the logistics and mobile banking sectors.