By: Grady Gardner (BSIS '26) January 25, 2025
STAP Morocco provided an amazing opportunity to explore a new culture and a new business sector. Going into this experience, I wanted to learn more about how my interests in technology align with venture capital and deepen my understanding of finance. This program far exceeded my expectations, as I gained significant knowledge about startup and venture capital ecosystems as well as new perspectives regarding the entrepreneurial mindset.
Meeting with key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Morocco deepened my understanding of the efforts to foster technological innovation and entrepreneurship. These efforts are critical for a country’s growth and development. This program brought together people from diverse backgrounds, which I didn’t fully anticipate. I appreciated that participants came from various career paths and educational experiences, creating an environment where I learned a lot from my classmates’ perspectives and professional insights.
Many of my classmates were entrepreneurs or aspiring to become entrepreneurs. It was fascinating to hear about their creative business ideas and aspirations, as well as diverse interpretations of what the entrepreneurial mindset entails. What surprised me the most was discovering the many components that contribute to a flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Coming into the class with limited knowledge of entrepreneurship, I didn’t fully understand its complexity. Meeting with individuals from the government, VC firms, and entrepreneurs at different stages of startup development highlighted that startups involve much more than just creative ideas. Success requires extensive time, effort, and resources.
Through my experience, I have grown both professionally and personally. This program sparked a new interest in finance and international business, motivating me to take related courses to deepen my understanding of these fields. The various meetings we attended in Morocco helped me grow professionally by allowing me to actively listen, ask meaningful questions, and develop insights that will be useful in the corporate world. Additionally, I gained a better understanding of how businesses operate and the investment process. This program also exposed me to new fields within technology such as FinTech, AgTech, and HealthTech.
On a personal level, this program helped me grow in numerous ways. Having never traveled abroad before, stepping into Morocco and experiencing a new culture was a profound and unforgettable experience. Exploring a new country while learning about a new business sector was incredibly enriching. Being the youngest student in the program and lacking prior knowledge in international business and finance initially felt intimidating and pushed me out of my comfort zone. However, this experience helped me gain confidence, expand my knowledge, and embrace opportunities for growth. I now have a newfound interest in international business and am motivated to pursue opportunities outside my typical area of study.
Reflecting on our meetings with Moroccan startup founders, venture capitalists, and business leaders, the session I found most compelling was our meeting with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Administration Reform. What stood out to me was the strategic goal to digitize Morocco’s critical infrastructure by 2030. While we had discussed this goal in our coursework prior to traveling to Morocco, hearing a more in-depth explanation during the meeting was enlightening. As someone interested in technology, I was particularly intrigued by their plans to enhance cloud services, improve connectivity, and foster talent. I appreciated their emphasis on investing in technological innovation and tech startups. This discussion highlighted that achieving digitization requires not only technological advancements but also significant investment in entrepreneurs and future generations of tech professionals.
I also gained a deeper understanding of what the entrepreneurial mindset means to me. It goes far beyond having a creative business solution and expecting it to succeed. The entrepreneurial mindset involves immense creativity, innovation, hard work, and resilience. I hadn’t fully appreciated how challenging the entrepreneurial journey can be. Entrepreneurs face constant challenges and setbacks, requiring a high level of dedication to adapt and solve problems creatively. This experience showed me that not everyone is suited to be an entrepreneur due to the intense demands of the role. However, I also realized that the entrepreneurial mindset is not limited to business. It can be applied to various aspects of life, serving as a framework for hard work and striving to achieve goals.
In conclusion, the STAP Morocco program was a transformative experience that expanded my knowledge and perspective on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and the entrepreneurial mindset. I gained professional skills, personal growth, and an appreciation for a new culture and business sectors. This program has inspired me to continue exploring these fields and embrace the entrepreneurial mindset in all areas of my life.
