'Markoub' the 9th Team to Qualify for this Year's MIT Semi-Finalist Round

Moroccan “Markoub” has been selected as one of the semi-finalist teams for this year’s MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Region Startup Competition for the Ideas Track

Five months ago Mounia Dimane and Zakaria AlKabbab  founded their company “Malayca”. Malayca is a Moroccan startup focused on developing innovative technological projects, training and consulting in new technologies such as web 2.0 and digital marketing. Today the company is developing a new idea called Markoub. Markoub is a multi-service community network combining innovative solutions for Passenger and Goods.

Idea Inspiration

When Mounia Dimane missed a very important meeting because of traffic she noticed that she was not alone. “I looked at the traffic jam and noticed that most of the cars were being used by one person; the driver himself. The high occupancy rate of vehicles made me thinking of why we couldn’t place more people in the same car; this would reduce traffic, save fuel and time.” Mounia a computer science engineer shared her idea with her colleague Zakaria Alkabbab and together they thought of starting a carpooling website called “Markoub”.

More than just a carpooling website

With the increased fuel prices, congestion and limited parking spaces now more than ever is there a pressing need for alternative transportation solutions says Mounia. Markoub is a location-based social network of collaborative transportation. In addition to carpooling and alternative package/parcel delivery, Markoub users can create and organize private or public events (forums, exhibitions, sports competitions, festivals, etc.) and invite the members of the community to join them. Users can also make ride sharing groups, by theme (e.g. Mountain tours, ski weekends, salsa lovers, football tournaments, etc.) or by organization (e.g. high school, university, college, company, etc.) and organize private events within these groups. Similar to other carpooling sites users can book their seats online and get in touch with people with whom they will share the ride in advance, by checking their profiles and chatting with them. Markoub’s mission is to make carpooling a common practice among Moroccans and hopefully the entire region through its reliable and free platform. 

On the MIT Arab Startup Competition

“Being part of the MIT Arab startup competition is in itself rewarding because you realize that you are not alone and that your ideas are supported by someone. We realize that we have a long way to go but we are confident that the competition will offer us knowledge, expertise and a chance to showcase our idea in front of the region’s leading entrepreneurs and investors.” Says Mounia.

A final word for entrepreneurs

“Being a young entrepreneur, I still have a lot to learn before I can give lessons to the new generations. However what I do know is that more than any other profession, entrepreneurship is first and foremost a passion, a passion that requires total commitment, an inexhaustible desire to learn. To all the adventure lovers, to all those who want to change the world, to all those who believe in a better future, entrepreneurship is for you.  The Life of an entrepreneur is intense, full of emotions and tests.  Learn how to rise after failing. You’re going to need it more than you would expect. I cannot express it better than the one who inspired, and continues to inspire people to dare entrepreneurship and change the world, Apple’s Cofounder Steve Jobs: “Have the Courage to follow your Heart and Intuition. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” Concluded Mounia

Markoub will attend a two day workshop in Qatar in April 25 along with 49 other teams, where they will receive coaching, training and network with other entrepreneurs from the Arab region and meet the region’s major players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Semi-finalist ideas or startups in ICT, digital media, and mobile will automatically qualify for the Oasis 500 training and acceleration program http://www.oasis500.com/ , which is a six-day training program that covers all business aspects, including business modeling, financials, pitching, facilitation and marketing.