Moroccan engineers Ayyoub El Amrani and Mehdi Yacoubi, co-founders of Mirage Metrics, are making waves in the artificial intelligence sector. Having met while studying at Centrale Paris, the duo has taken an unconventional approach to AI, focusing on complex tasks that drive businesses rather than developing another virtual assistant. Their startup, launched in 2024, deploys AI agents in industries such as construction, logistics, and mining. With over 30 clients and 35 deployments in production, Mirage Metrics has made significant strides without external funding.
El Amrani and Yacoubi's journey to entrepreneurship began with a scientific background. Both were trained in reputable institutions, with El Amrani attending EPFL in Switzerland and Yacoubi studying at Sainte-Geneviève high school in France before joining Centrale Paris. Their first entrepreneurial venture involved creating a tech company and raising funds, providing them with valuable experience in product development, team recruitment, and distinguishing innovative technology from practical tools.
The emergence of advanced AI models presented an opportunity for El Amrani and Yacoubi. They recognized that the real revolution would not be limited to conversational assistants but rather in applying AI to complex tasks. Mirage Metrics was born out of this vision, focusing on streamlining manual tasks in businesses. The founders' approach is pragmatic, involving engineers working closely with clients to understand their processes, identify exceptions, and develop practical AI solutions.
Mirage Metrics' method involves observing real processes, accessing data, and connecting existing systems to build a functional AI model. This approach has led to the conviction that automating inefficient processes does not necessarily create value. In some cases, AI can enable the elimination of certain steps, improving overall efficiency. The startup targets industries such as construction, logistics, and mining, where operations often rely on manual document processing and data transfer.
The sectors targeted by Mirage Metrics are characterized by complex operations and a high volume of manual tasks. By applying AI, the startup aims to address the accumulation of small inefficiencies that can significantly impact businesses. Mirage Metrics' product relies on AI agents capable of understanding context, applying business rules, and executing operational tasks. These agents can process hundreds of documents, extract relevant information, and enable engineers to access results directly.
Mirage Metrics' approach is complementary to traditional software, rather than a replacement. The startup typically deploys its AI solutions above existing ERP/TMS systems, without requiring clients to replace their infrastructure. When processes are well-defined, traditional software remains a more efficient and auditable option. However, AI is more suitable for tasks that require understanding context, documents, or unstructured data.
With a growing team of 15 engineers and a client base of over 30 businesses, Mirage Metrics is poised for expansion. The startup aims to establish Casablanca as a major center for engineering and AI innovation. By focusing on practical AI applications and collaborating with clients, El Amrani and Yacoubi are driving the adoption of operational AI in various industries.
Key points
- - Moroccan engineers Ayyoub El Amrani and Mehdi Yacoubi co-founded Mirage Metrics to apply AI to complex business tasks. - The startup targets industries such as construction, logistics, and mining, with over 30 clients and 35 deployments in production. - Mirage Metrics' approach focuses on practical AI applications, complementing traditional software and aiming to establish Casablanca as a hub for AI innovation.
