The seventh edition of the Algeria Startup Challenge (ASC 2025) concluded in Algiers with nine cooperation agreements signed between start-ups and major economic operators, marking a new wave of pilot projects built on ready-to-deploy innovative technologies. The ceremony was chaired by Minister of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups and Micro-enterprises Noureddine Ouadah, with participation from senior officials including Minister of Vocational Training Nacima Arhab and Minister of Agriculture Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid.
Among the standout signings was a partnership between telecom operator Djezzy and the start-up Tahwissa, reflecting growing private-sector engagement in the country’s innovation ecosystem. Minister Ouadah emphasized that ASC has evolved from a simple ideas competition into a national platform where start-ups secure contracts with major enterprises. He encouraged the creation of a dedicated investment fund to support long-term growth of emerging ventures.
The Director General of Leancubator, Abdelfettah Herizi, noted that ASC has become a national benchmark for open innovation, launching more than 20 programs and supporting hundreds of start-ups over recent years.
Five sector winners were announced, representing strong momentum in high-impact innovation:
- Tahwissa (Digital Inclusion) – tourism-focused digital platform, sponsored by Djezzy
- Woven (Circular Economy) – converting sheep down and hides into organic fertilizers
- Sanox (Risk-Reduction Technologies) – AI-powered medical chatbot for patient guidance
- Clean Truck (Care & Hygiene Technologies) – IoT solution for real-time cleanliness resource management
- Martece (Innovative Insurance) – connected buoy for early detection of natural disasters in aquaculture
Djezzy Communications Manager Salim Tamani reaffirmed the operator’s commitment to supporting Algeria’s digital transformation and expanding technology-driven employment opportunities.
This edition drew 375 start-ups from 39 wilayas, alongside members of the diaspora, and recorded more than 25,000 platform visits — a sign of rising national enthusiasm for innovation. Since 2018, the program has mobilized over 3,500 innovators and supported more than 300 start-ups in scaling their solutions across the country.
