Are you building something innovative and driven to make a real difference?
Join our Growth & Innovation Cohort 2026 and scale your high-impact project with mentorship, strategic support, and access to a vibrant innovation ecosystem in Mauritius.
Apply for the Growth & Innovation Cohort 2026.
Why Apply?
· We’re looking for 12 Smart Entrepreneurs with innovative projects, ready to commit, build and grow. Participants with technology-enabled projects that create positive social, environmental, or economic impact (“Tech for Good”) are encouraged to apply.
· Incubation period: March – October 2026
Watch our Managing Director, Michel Cordani, share the visionbehind La Plage Factory’s Growth & Innovation movement, and why it matters. Play Video (in French)
What you get
Experience a uniquely designed programme of workshops and masterclasses, guiding you through every vital stage of building a successful startup.
· Dedicated Mentorship: Each participant is matched with an experienced mentor who acts as a true partner throughout the programme. Mentors hold regular sessions, providing strategic guidance, feedback, and support tailored to your entrepreneurial journey. This mentor-entrepreneur partnership is a proven pillar of our incubation model.
· Business Design & Planning: Start with expert sessions on the Vianeo method to build a strong business model, achieve product-market fit, and prepare for investors.
· Go-to-Market Strategy: Dive into practical workshops and advisory meetings focused on operationalising your business plan—developing your marketing approach, building your sales funnel, and preparing for market launch.
· Capacity Building: Strengthen your business operations and processes through targeted training, equipping you to scale efficiently and manage growth.
· Funding Access: Learn to navigate the full landscape of funding options — angel investors, venture capital, banks, grants, and alternative instruments. Our team works with you to understand which sources and financial tools best fit your business plan and ambition, ensuring your funding strategy supports your growth goals.
· Coworking Space & Community: Enjoy free access to our Port Louis hub, networking events, and a vibrant community of smart entrepreneurs.
· Peer Learning & Community: Join a vibrant cohort of smart entrepreneurs, sharing experiences and building lasting relationships.
Learn more from Jason Delorie, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, as he explains how the programme empowers founders in this Video
How to Apply
Ready to take the next step? Apply Now
Only applications submitted via this link will be accepted. Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.
Check out Michel Cordani’s Video where he guides you through the application process and the incubation journey. N.B: (Video in French)
Timeline
· Applications open: 15 October 2025
· Initial submission deadline: 30 November 2025
· Complete applications (with video) due: 12 December 2025
· Shortlist announced: 19 December 2025
· Pitch interviews: 23 January 2026
· Programme kick-off: March 2026
Recent Info Session
Held online on 13 November to help applicant learn more about the programme, eligibility, and benefits:
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Recording here: Info session recording
During this session, our team shared insights into the programme, support available, and answered questions regarding the applications live. All questions and answers are attached below in FAQ. For any queries, contact us at hello@lapage.io.
FAQ
Empowering Tech for Good Entrepreneurs in Mauritius - Frequently Asked Questions
🔹Who can apply?
We welcome entrepreneurs with a Growth & Innovation mindset, people ready to embrace innovation and commit to building impactful solutions. Applications are open to:
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Startuppers. Solo founders are accepted, but you should be prepared to find a co-founder or build a team quickly.
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Small business owner-managers. Your business should be stable and profitable, not in survival mode. As a guide, annual turnover typically ranges from MUR 5–30 million, with at least two years of profitability.
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Mid-market executives. If you lead a project within a larger organisation, ensure you have board support and a dedicated team. The project lead must be fully committed without conflicting priorities.
If you don’t meet all criteria but can demonstrate commitment and investment capacity, you’re welcome to apply.
🔹Do you offer specific support for women entrepreneurs?
We know the journey can be tougher for women founders. But you don’t have to do it alone. At La Plage Factory, we’re committed to providing an inclusive ecosystem where women entrepreneurs thrive. You will receive extra support through mentorship, networking opportunities, and visibility initiatives designed to build confidence.
If you have an innovative project and the drive to make a difference, you are strongly encouraged to apply. For inspiration, check out our recent Women Entrepreneurship Day post and hear from our alumni in their testimonials.
🔹What do we mean by “startup”?
A startup is a new project or company initiated by an entrepreneur to seek, develop, and validate a scalable business model. Startups are generally driven by innovation and aim to solve real-world problems in a novel way.
Our interpretation is broader than the traditional Venture Capital definition: we welcome tech-enabled projects and innovative solutions that create positive impact, even if they don’t fit the “from scratch, hyper-growth” stereotype.
🔹What qualifies as an innovative project?
Projects must introduce something new and valuable, whether in product, process, or business model.
🔹Is MRIC NSIS endorsement required?
Yes, selected projects must apply for MRIC’s NSIS incubation phase. Approval is expected but not guaranteed.
🔹What sectors are eligible?
We are sector agnostic. Projects from any industry are welcome, provided they leverage technology to deliver tangible, positive impact and address real-world challenges (“Tech for Good”). All solutions should tackle meaningful problems and demonstrate alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
🔹How developed does my solution need to be?
Your solution should be more than an idea: A clear and well-defined project. A prototype is welcome but not mandatory.
🔹What is the time commitment?
Expect to dedicate 2 hours to half a day per week for programme activities (workshops, advisory meetings, focus groups) and additional time for project work.
🔹Where do programme activities take place?
Most of our masterclasses, workshops, and networking events happen in person at our Coworking Port Louis. This space is designed to foster collaboration and provide the full benefits of our ecosystem. Being physically present helps you engage deeply with the content, connect with mentors and peers, and build meaningful relationships that accelerate your journey.
🔹Is remote participation possible?
Our programme is an immersive experience, and we expect founders to participate primarily on-site throughout the incubation journey. However, we understand that travel or exceptional circumstances may arise. In such cases, remote participation is supported, but it should remain the exception, not the norm.
🔹What are the costs?
The programme is free. But prototype funding and project-associated costs are borne by the entrepreneur.
🔹How is confidentiality handled?
All reviewers are bound by NDAs. Your application is secure and confidential. Contracts will protect your intellectual property. Please avoid disclosing overly sensitive information in your application.
🔹What is the application process?
Valid applications are reviewed by a jury. The top 20 projects are invited to pitch; 12 are selected for the cohort. Final steps include NSIS application, contracts, and onboarding.
🔹Can I apply if I’m based outside Mauritius?
Applicants must be based in Mauritius or have concrete plans to relocate. Remote participation is not supported during the incubation phase.
🔹Can my co-founder be based abroad?
Yes, but the main founder must be a resident. Hybrid participation is supported for co-founders or team members located outside Mauritius. Sessions are recorded and AI-curated to support remote collaboration.
🔹Can I apply if I’ve already been part of another incubator?
Yes, but only if it was for pre-incubation. The same project cannot be incubated twice under MRIC-backed programs.
🔹What legal and visa support is available for foreign entrepreneurs?
Foreign entrepreneurs must apply for a “startup visa” via the EDB. The incubator and MRIC provide support for this process, which takes a few weeks to complete depending on the personal situation and the nationality.
🔹Can I launch my MVP during the program?
Yes, this is actually our goal. Participants are indeed encouraged to launch their Minimum Viable Product during or shortly after the program, depending on project maturity.
About La Plage Factory
Since 2018, La Plage Factory has been empowering Tech for Good startups and smart entrepreneurs in Mauritius to tackle real-world challenges.
Initially focused on tech startups, we expanded in 2024 to include small business owner-managers, and now welcome mid-market companies, committed to building innovative solutions, creating viable businesses, and scaling internationally.
Our impact speaks through the success of our alumni. Their stories prove that when ambition meets method and support, Mauritius can become a hub for sustainable innovation.
Join us and be part of the Growth & Innovation movement that transforms ideas into traction.
Related
La Plage Factory – Q1 2026 Community Update
Let’s Meet Up – A milestone edition launching Cohort 2026 and strengthening the Mauritius Tech for Good community
