Are you an entrepreneur with a growth mindset? Do you have an innovative project that you would like to market and scale? If so, you have come to the right place.

La Plage Factory, an incubator accredited by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), is pleased to announce its call for innovative projects for its second Growth and Innovation cohort, starting in early 2025.

Please read the instructions below carefully to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

Eligibility Criteria

· 1. You must be a small business owner committed to delivering an innovative project to the market.

· 2. Your turnover should range between MUR 5 to 10 million.

· 3. Your business must have 2+ years of profitability.

· 4. You should be able to dedicate time to your project and participate actively in the programme

Applications from women entrepreneurs are welcome and encouraged.

About the Growth and Innovation Programme

Our Growth and Innovation Programme, which will run over seven months - from March to October 2025 - is an incubation programme for early-stage businesses that will offer 12 smart entrepreneurs the necessary resources, dedicated mentorship, support, and academic edge often used for hypergrowth and sustainability, to market their solutions effectively and sustainably. Selected candidates will also have free access to our coworking space, community events and wider network.

The programme consists of four phases:

· 1. Product-Market Fit: Business Design & Planning

· 2. Go-To-Market: Marketing plan & Sales Funnel

· 3. Capacity Building: Business processes & Operations

· 4. Funding: VC, angels, banks

Benefits for the participants

La Plage Factory's incubation programme offers several benefits for entrepreneurs eager to drive innovation, particularly those focused on technology-enabled projects with a positive impact.

Business Design Method: The programme uses the Vianeo platform, a unique business modelling method that helps startups achieve a solid product-market fit.
Quality Mentorship: Project owners are offered the opportunity to partner with an experienced mentor who provides guidance and support throughout the entrepreneurial journey.
Workshops and Master Classes: Entrepreneurs have access to various workshops, training sessions, run by in house and affiliate experts.
Focus Groups and Business Advisory meetings: These activities are tailored to the specific needs of each project.
Coworking Space and Community: Entrepreneurs can benefit from networking events and community activities, which can help them build valuable connections. Coworking Port Louis is their home.
Access to Funding: While La Plage Factory does not directly fund startups, it connects them with a network of potential investors.

Timeline

20 Dec 2024 – Project application deadline

10 Jan 2025 - Shortlisted candidates announced

15 Jan 2025 – Pitch contest event

Mid to End of February – Kick-off of the Growth and Innovation Programme

Join Our Upcoming Info Sessions To Learn More About This Exciting Opportunity

La Plage Factory will host two online info sessions on:

- 27 November at 13:30

- 5 December at 18:30

During these sessions, our team will share insights into the programme, including the support and resources available to selected entrepreneurs. This will be an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about the programme, eligibility criteria, the benefits of joining our cohort.

If you wish to join one of these sessions or for queries related to the call for projects, kindly contact us via email at hello@laplage.io.

How To Apply

To apply for our Growth and Innovation Programme, please fill in the online form at this link.

Kindly note that only applications submitted via the above link will be accepted. Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.

FAQ

About La Plage Factory

· At La Plage Factory, we help ambitious individuals to develop their solutions from product-market fit to funding, with the guidance and support of local and international experts. We have been dedicated to supporting Tech4Good startups in Mauritius since 2017.

· In 2024, we took on the exciting challenge to expand our focus beyond startups, to include small business owners in Mauritius who are making a significant impact in communities and industries. This strategic shift came from the realisation that world-renowned business development techniques often used in the startup industry, can also apply to innovative entrepreneurial initiatives.

· We believe that by supporting smart entrepreneurs, we can help revitalise entrepreneurship in Mauritius, boost the economy, and promote innovation.

What qualifies as an innovative solution?

· A project can qualify as innovative when aspects such as the product itself, the processes involved, or the business model employed have either not been used before or are being devised and implemented in a pioneering manner. It must go beyond the conventional and introduce something new and valuable.

· This means that the innovation should have a real-world application and the potential to create a positive impact. The focus should be on solving a genuine issue with a creative and effective approach.

· To find out more about examples of innovative solutions, check out these articles about La Déchetèque, Dodobird.ai, DigitalGo, and Alaprann.mu, four projects that have been incubated successfully at La Plage Factory.

Should a project align with a specific area of intervention or sector?

· Eligible projects can fall under a variety of sectors, including but not limited to Blue and Green Innovation, Financial Innovation, Health and Wellness Innovation, IT and Emerging Innovation, Education.

· However, your solution must address a tangible problem, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

How developed does my solution need to be?

· To participate in the programme, your solution needs to be more than just an idea; it should be developed to a point where it is clear and precise enough to be articulated in writing, as per the application form available here.

· While a prototype is welcome, it is not a mandatory requirement.

· The key is to ensure that your solution is sufficiently detailed and well-defined, allowing for a thorough evaluation of its potential and feasibility. This means that you should be able to describe your solution's concept, functionality, and intended impact with clarity and precision.

Time commitment

You will be expected to allocate between 2 hours to half a day per week to the programme and its related activities. These include:

· Attending Masterclasses and Workshops: Engage in sessions designed to enhance your skills and knowledge in various aspects of business and innovation.

· Business Advisory Meetings: Participate in one-on-one or group meetings with dedicated mentors and experts to discuss your project's progress and challenges.

· Focus Groups: Lead discussions with specific target groups to gaather insights into topics related to your product development and offer.

· Project-related Work and Research: Conduct activities such as market exploration, product development, and partner engagement to advance your project.

In addition, you will be expected to:

· Manage your time effectively to balance the programme's requirements with your other commitments.

· Participate actively in all aspects of the programme is crucial for your project's success.

· Make use of the resources and support provided by the programme to maximise your project's potential.

Costs & Funding

The programme is free; however, prototype funding and all project-associated costs must be borne by the entrepreneur.