La Plage Factory Community Update – 2025 Year in Review & Outlook 2026

2025 was a year of acceleration. Momentum strengthened, partnerships deepened, and proof points emerged that Mauritius is stepping into its role as a credible innovation connector across Africa, India, and Europe.

This edition of the La Plage Factory Newsletter is a combined Year-in-Review and New Year’s edition. It captures what 2025 made possible, and how that momentum is shaping our direction for 2026.

Across programmes, ecosystem engagements, institutional dialogue, and community building, one thing became clear: innovation does not happen by accident. It is built through deliberate collaboration, long-term commitment, and a shared belief in entrepreneurship as a driver of impact.

If we had to sum up 2025 in three words, they would be: bold, connected, and transformative.

Over the past year, Mauritius has continued to assert itself as a regional hub for innovation, driven by smart entrepreneurs, cross-border collaborations, and a growing collective commitment to Tech for Good. Supported by an increasingly favourable environment for innovation, the ecosystem gained depth and visibility locally, regionally, and beyond.

From vibrant community meetups to international engagements, from capacity-building programmes to key ecosystem milestones, 2025 was a year marked by progress, alignment, and purpose.

As we close this chapter and look ahead to 2026, we invite you to explore the highlights, celebrate the achievements, and join us in shaping the next generation of innovators in Mauritius and beyond.

Growth & Innovation Programme and Punch Cohort supported by MCB

At the centre of La Plage Factory’s work in 2025 was the successful delivery of the Punch by MCB Growth and Innovation programme, implemented under the National SME Incubator Scheme. This cohort was the most ambitious and structured we have delivered to date and stands as a concrete contribution to the development of Mauritius’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. It supported founders from idea to execution and strengthened their pathway towards building viable, investment‑ready businesses.

A Cohort Launched with Intent

The journey began in March with the official launch of the Punch by MCB Cohort during the Growth and Innovation Event. The launch brought together founders, mentors, the Punch team, corporate partners and representatives from three ministries. The event showcased early innovation through live pitches, highlighted the structural challenges faced by local entrepreneurs and set a clear expectation for a programme centred on accountability, rigorous learning and hands‑on execution.

A Diverse and High‑Potential Cohort

The 2025 Punch cohort was the largest and most diverse ever hosted by La Plage Factory.

From an initial pipeline of 42 applicants, 13 founders were selected following a multi‑stage process involving screening, committee evaluation and jury pitches. The final group brought together:

• Traditional SMEs and early‑stage startups
• Local and expatriate founders
• First‑time entrepreneurs and experienced operators
• Projects in fintech, education, sustainability, artificial intelligence, health, wellness and community‑driven solutions

 

This diversity aligned with the programme’s “Smart Entrepreneur” philosophy, which values founder quality, problem legitimacy and market relevance above conventional startup criteria.

A Structured Incubation Journey

Throughout the Growth and Innovation Programme, founders engaged in a structured and outcome-driven incubation journey designed to support progress from early concept to market-ready execution.

The programme combined business design support powered by the Vianeo method and platform, enabling founders to structure, validate, and stress test their ventures, with expert-led workshops and learning sessions covering go-to-market strategy, capacity building, and funding readiness.

Beyond formal learning, founders benefited from a strong community of peers, mentors, and ecosystem partners who challenged assumptions, shared experience, and provided practical guidance at key moments of the journey.

Targeted reviews and refinement checkpoints helped sharpen strategic focus, strengthen execution, and accelerate market readiness. The programme supported founders in progressing with confidence toward validated product market fit, solid business plans, and credible, market-ready execution.

Each startup was guided by a dedicated mentor with real entrepreneurial experience, helping founders stay focused on what mattered most, navigate critical decisions, and leverage the collective expertise and resources of the La Plage Factory ecosystem. This support did not end with the close of the programme.

Through the continued partnership agreement with MCB, founders remain connected to La Plage Factory beyond the cohort, ensuring sustained follow-up, access to the ecosystem, and ongoing support as they move into their next phase of growth.

Closing the Cycle and Looking Ahead

In November, the programme concluded with a high‑energy Growth and Innovation Closing Event that brought together 124 attendees from across the ecosystem. Founders delivered final pitches, reflected on their progress and shared honest insights during the Entrepreneur’s Therapy session. Feedback highlighted the programme’s role in building confidence, sharpening strategy and expanding networks.

The event also marked the renewal of the partnership with MCB, confirming a shared vision of long‑term ecosystem development and strengthening the foundation for the 2026 cohort.

A Foundation for the Future

The Punch by MCB cohort of 2025 was far more than a sequence of workshops. It was a full cycle of innovation support. It provided structure during periods of uncertainty, created space for experimentation and offered expert guidance at key moments of decision-making.

As we look to 2026, the programme stands as both a milestone achieved and a foundation for what the next generation of Smart Entrepreneurs will build.

Ecosystem & Global Connections

Mauritius as a Regional and Global Connector

In 2025, Mauritius continued to strengthen its position as a connector economy at the crossroads of Africa, India, Europe, and the Indian Ocean. The year marked a shift from visibility to credibility, as cross-border engagements, institutional partnerships, and international innovation actors increasingly converged around the island.

Beyond La Plage Factory’s own programmes, these ecosystem-wide signals reflected a growing recognition of Mauritius as a neutral, collaborative space where innovation, talent, and capital can connect.

Key Ecosystem Signals and International Engagements

Below is a consolidated and expanded list of all major events and ecosystem signals featured across the 2025 newsletters and posts:

National and Regional Convenings

✔ Growth and Innovation Event 3rd Edition (Mauritius)

A national‑level convening that gathered more than 150 ecosystem actors, including three ministries, corporates, investors, and founders. Discussions focused on market access, early‑stage funding and Mauritius’ role as a regional innovation hub.

👉 Read more about this event from this post or our March Newsletter

✔ National Research Week (University of Mauritius)

Mauritius’ largest research and innovation platform brought together academia, industry and entrepreneurs. La Plage Factory showcased six incubated startups on MBC live and contributed to panel discussions on research commercialisation and early‑stage funding.

👉 Read more about this event from this article

✔ African Leadership College of Higher Education (ALCHE) Visit and Partnership (Mauritius)

The African Leadership College of Higher Education engaged actively with the ecosystem, including a visit and collaboration with La Plage Factory during the May meetup. This strengthened the bridge between higher education and venture building, reinforcing the role of experiential learning within the entrepreneurial pipeline.

👉 Read more about this event from our May Newsletter

✔ French Tech Connect with ALU, MT and CCIFM

Held in September at Mauritius Telecom (MT) Campus, this high‑energy back‑to‑school edition gathered African students from African Leadership University (ALU), founders, corporates and ecosystem builders. The event showcased Mauritius as a welcoming hub for African entrepreneurship and highlighted strengthening ties with France, Réunion, Madagascar and pan‑African networks.

👉 Read more about this event from this post

International and Cross-Border Engagements

✔ Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit (India)

Earlier in October, a Mauritian delegation officially participated in the Global Startup Summit 2025 in Tamil Nadu, India, an event that brought together innovators from across the region. Facilitated by the Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius and hosted by StartupTN, the summit featured four Mauritian startups, including Crafty from our Punch Cohort and Kunjani from our Pilot Cohort, who were selected and supported by Tamil Nadu’s government.

The support package included booth space, travel and accommodation, and promotional assistance, allowing our founders to showcase their ventures and connect with regional stakeholders. The energy and visibility of this exchange reaffirmed Mauritius’ growing role in the global innovation landscape.

This summit also reflects the strength of our bilateral ties and the strategic role of EDB in enabling cross-border collaboration. This moment underscores how Mauritius is strengthening its connections with India and Africa, fostering new opportunities for collaboration and shared innovation.

👉 Follow their journey from our previous posts here: Crafty at TNGSS | Kunjani at TNGSS

✔ AfriLabs Annual Gathering & AL for Health Week (Kenya)

In 2025, the AfriLabs Annual Gathering and AL for Health Week in Nairobi marked a major milestone: 10 years of AfriLabs supporting Africa’s innovation ecosystems. The gathering brought together hub leaders, founders, investors, policymakers, and partners from across the continent for a week focused on collaboration, capital, and impact-driven innovation.

A central theme throughout the week was Catalytic Africa and the urgent need to strengthen early-stage funding pathways. Discussions highlighted how catalytic capital, patient funding, and ecosystem-led investment mechanisms are critical to unlocking the next wave of African innovation, particularly in health, climate, and technology-enabled solutions.

For La Plage Factory, this engagement reinforced our active membership within the pan-African innovation ecosystem, strengthening ties with AfriLabs, peer hubs, and ecosystem leaders working to bridge entrepreneurship, capital, and policy. It also opened concrete opportunities for knowledge exchange and future cross-border collaboration, positioning Mauritian startups to better connect with continental networks.

The gathering sent a strong signal: Africa’s innovation future depends not only on talent, but on intentional ecosystem design and access to early-stage capital. Mauritius has a role to play in this collective effort, as a connector between regions, markets, and innovation communities.

👉 Read more via AfriLabs’ official communications and highlights from the Annual Gathering on their Page or through Anna Ekeledo’s Article.

✔ African Leadership University (ALU) – B.O.L.D Summit 2025 (Mauritius)

In October, Mauritius hosted a defining moment for African higher education as the @African Leadership University (ALU) African Leadership College of Higher Education (ALCHE) celebrated its 10th anniversary through the B.O.L.D Summit 2025. Over three days of dialogue, reflection, and celebration, the summit brought together students, alumni, educators, partners, and leaders to examine a decade of reimagining what education in Africa can and should be.

The event highlighted a shared vision of learning that moves beyond theory, leadership grounded in impact, and institutions ready to challenge the status quo. As Mauritius positions itself as a hub for education and innovation, our collaboration with ALU on incubation initiatives reflects this shared vision.

By embedding innovation and entrepreneurship into the curriculum and strengthening the bridge between academia and real-world venture building, we help create an ecosystem where talent is nurtured, ideas are tested early, and future innovators are equipped to make a lasting impact.

👉 Read more via ALU’s B.O.L.D Summit Decennial Gala post

✔French Tech Innovation Village

In 2025, La French Tech Mauritius played a pivotal role in elevating Mauritius on the global innovation map. A standout moment came during President Macron’s state visit, where French Tech Mauritius helped direct the spotlight onto the island’s accelerating startup momentum through the Innovation Village co‑organised with the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius.

La Plage Factory-supported startups were part of this showcase, presenting tangible, market-ready solutions and signalling clearly that Mauritian ventures are ready to scale internationally. The initiative also highlighted the strong contribution of the French expatriate community to the local innovation ecosystem.

This collaboration reinforced Mauritius’ position as a credible innovation partner for both France and Africa, and confirmed La French Tech Mauritius as a key ally in opening new markets, networks, and opportunities for our fast‑growing startup ecosystem.

👉 Read more in this La French Tech Mauritius post

A Hub in Formation: Mauritius as an International Connector for Entrepreneurs and Investors Across Africa, India and Europe.

Taken together, these signals point to an ecosystem in transition. Mauritius is not yet a fully mature innovation hub, but it is increasingly recognised as a connected, credible space where global engagement can translate into local opportunity.

La Plage Factory played an active role in these dynamics by supporting cross-border exchanges, contributing to national and regional dialogue, and amplifying the visibility of Mauritian entrepreneurship within global networks.

This momentum brings both opportunity and responsibility: to deepen collaboration, strengthen local capacity, and ensure that international exposure delivers tangible value for founders on the ground.

Institutional Momentum

In 2025, innovation and entrepreneurship increasingly became part of institutional conversations in Mauritius. Beyond programs and events, the year marked a shift toward more structured dialogue between entrepreneurs, policymakers, corporates, and ecosystem builders. La Plage Factory played an active role in contributing to this momentum, positioning itself as a trusted convenor and thought partner.

Growth and Innovation Event: From Dialogue to Direction

The Growth and Innovation event in March was a defining moment. Bringing together ministries, public institutions, corporates, investors, and founders, the event created a rare space for open, solutions-oriented discussion around the structural needs of the ecosystem.

Key themes included:

• Access to early-stage funding
• Market access and regional scaling
• Talent development and skills alignment
• Technology as an enabler for SMEs and startups

More than a showcase, the event served as a collective working session, helping align perspectives and surface practical recommendations to strengthen Mauritius’ innovation landscape.

Contributing to Policy and Strategic Conversations

Throughout the year, LPF contributed to national and sector-level discussions shaping the future of innovation:

• AI Policy Dialogue During a dedicated community meetup, La Plage Factory engaged stakeholders on Mauritius’ emerging AI roadmap, advocating for ethical, inclusive adoption and stronger consideration of startups within national AI strategies.

👉 Read more from our January-February Newsletter

• French Tech Mauritius Workshops: A series of targeted workshops with international experts helped translate global best practices into the local context, particularly around scaling, investment readiness, and founder resilience. These sessions reinforced the value of cross-border expertise grounded in local realities.

You can explore a high-level carousel of key recommendations from these policy and strategy engagements, with full detailed memos available on request for those who wish to dive deeper. level carousel of key recommendations

👉 Read more here

• Budget and Fiscal Discussions (CCIFM Panel)

At the recent CCI France Maurice roundtable on budget and fiscal priorities, Michel Cordani joined a panel of business leaders and public-sector representatives to discuss how Mauritius can better support innovation and early-stage investment.

The discussion explored recent fiscal measures, their impact on real estate and business permits, and the importance of creating clearer, more attractive incentives for entrepreneurs, investors, and diaspora or expatriate innovators looking to set up and scale businesses in Mauritius. Innovation was positioned not only as a sector but as a strategic lever to strengthen the wider ecosystem and ensure long-term competitiveness.

These exchanges reflect a shared conviction: collaboration between public institutions, investors, and ecosystem builders is essential to make Mauritius an accessible, credible, and attractive hub for innovation-driven entrepreneurship.

👉 Read CCI France Maurice’s post about the panel here

Innovation Enabled by Alignment

What stood out in 2025 was a growing alignment between political will, institutional interest, and ecosystem needs. While challenges remain, the willingness to engage, listen, and co-create signals an important shift.

LPF’s role within this landscape has been to bridge worlds: translating founder realities into institutional language, and bringing policy and strategic insights back to the entrepreneurial community. This positioning strengthens the ecosystem as a whole and lays the groundwork for more coordinated action in the years ahead.

Community – The Human Layer

At the heart of La Plage Factory is a community of people who show up consistently: founders testing ideas, mentors sharing hard-earned lessons, partners opening doors, and ecosystem builders committed to collective progress. In 2025, this human layer continued to be the backbone of everything we do.

Monthly Meetups: Where the Ecosystem Comes Alive

Our Let’s Meet Up sessions remained the heartbeat of the community. Held monthly, these gatherings created a trusted space for learning, honest conversation, and collaboration across stages and sectors.

Each meetup combined:

• Pitching sessions, allowing founders to test ideas, refine their narratives, and receive constructive feedback.
• Thematic discussions and talks, anchored in real challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
• Informal exchanges, where connections turned into collaborations.

From January’s focus on Smart Entrepreneurs to September’s back-to-school edition welcoming African Leadership University students, every meetup reflected the diversity and energy of the ecosystem.

Entrepreneur’s Therapy: Real Talk for Real Builders

One of the most valued formats of the year was Entrepreneur’s Therapy, a space for candid reflection on the realities of entrepreneurship.

• In August, Yannick Ayacanou spoke openly about resilience, financial discipline, and navigating uncertainty.
• In September, Jason Delorie shared insights into founder challenges, decision-making under pressure, and long-term vision.

These sessions resonated deeply because they moved beyond success stories, offering honesty, vulnerability, and practical wisdom.

Mentors, Partners, and Collective Support

The community continued to grow not just in numbers, but in depth. New mentors joined throughout the year, strengthening support in areas such as strategy, technology, operations, and finance.

Partnerships added tangible value to founders:

• HODI supported startups with hosting and digital infrastructure.
• Mauritius Telecom introduced its sovereign AI platform, mytGPT, opening new conversations around local AI adoption and innovation.

These contributions reinforced a core belief: entrepreneurship does not happen in isolation. It thrives in environments built on trust, generosity, and shared purpose.

Visibility and Founder Wins

2025 also saw increased visibility for founders within the LPF community:

• Vinay Kanhye was featured in Business Magazine, highlighting local entrepreneurial journeys.
• Rwazi’s USD 12 million Series A funding round showcased how African-born ventures can scale globally, inspiring founders across the ecosystem.
• DuoDeal launched its product in November after completing its alpha and beta phases. The startup onboarded over 45 early users and secured its first 20 paying customers before year‑end, marking a strong commercial start.

These stories mattered not just as achievements, but as signals of what is possible when talent is supported and connected.

Shaping the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs in Mauritius

2025 did not end with a conclusion. It ended with a statement.

The Manifesto Campaign marked a pivotal moment for La Plage Factory: a clear affirmation that entrepreneurship in Mauritius is not just about building companies, but about challenging the status quo, rethinking how value is created, and empowering a new generation of builders to act with intention and impact.

Unveiled during the Growth and Innovation event, the manifesto message was carried through a dedicated campaign, anchored by a keynote from Michel Cordani, and amplified through press, digital platforms, and founder voices. At its core was a simple but powerful conviction: entrepreneurship is a lever for transformation, economic, social, and systemic.

A Campaign Rooted in Real Builders

Rather than abstract promises, the manifesto was brought to life through the people at the heart of the ecosystem:

• Founder and mentor testimonials, sharing unfiltered experiences of building, failing, learning, and growing.
• Showcases of incubated startups, demonstrating how innovation can address real challenges while remaining commercially viable.
• A narrative focused on action, not aspiration, spotlighting what it truly takes to build from Mauritius and scale beyond it.

This approach reinforced a key message: innovation does not come from theory alone. It comes from experimentation, courage, and environments that allow entrepreneurs to take risks.

Beyond a Campaign: A Direction

The manifesto is not a one-off communication exercise. It sets the direction for what comes next.

It reflects La Plage Factory’s belief that:

• Entrepreneurship should be embedded early, alongside education and skills development.
• Innovation ecosystems must be open, connected, and globally relevant, while remaining grounded in local realities.
• Founders need more than funding; they need community, challenge, and conviction.

As we move into 2026, this manifesto becomes both an invitation and a commitment. An invitation to those who want to build differently, and a commitment from La Plage Factory to continue creating the conditions where bold ideas can take shape.

🔹 Looking Ahead to 2026

2026 opens with clarity and ambition.  The foundations laid in 2025 give us confidence to go further, deepening our programmes, strengthening cross-border innovation pathways, and continuing to place Smart Entrepreneurs at the heart of everything we do. This year, we will also embrace AI to enhance how we deliver content and support, and strengthen the mentor–founder partnership, for a more effective innovation journey.

In the year ahead, our priorities are clear:

• Strengthening the Smart Entrepreneur pipeline through focused incubation and mentorship
• Expanding regional and international collaboration opportunities
• Embedding our manifesto into programmes, partnerships, and community rituals
• Continuing our journey with Punch by MCB and ecosystem partners committed to long-term impact

2025 showed what Mauritius can build when ambition meets alignment. In 2026, we invite you to build with us, boldly, collaboratively, and with intention.

Thank you for being part of the journey. Let’s shape the next chapter together.

🔊 Call to action: Join the Movement

If this vision resonates with you, we invite you to hear directly from those building it.

👉 Watch the founder and mentor testimonials to understand the spirit, impact, and reality of the La Plage Factory journey.  👉 Join us at our upcoming Meet Up, where ideas are shared, assumptions are challenged, and connections turn into action.

This is not the end of the story. It is an open door.

🌐 Join our community of innovators

Are you passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship? Eager to make a difference?

We invite potential founders, mentors, experts, and sponsors to join our vibrant community. Your expertise, guidance, and support can help shape the next generation of smart entrepreneurs and drive meaningful change.

• Visit Our Website: Explore more about our initiatives at laplage.io
• Contact Us: Reach out to us at hello@laplage.io
• Join Our Monthly Meet Up: Connect with like-minded individuals at Coworking Port Louis on Friday, February 6 at lunch time.
• Do all three! 😉

 

“Let's build a brighter future together for Mauritius, Africa, and the world! 🌍”