At the University of Mauritius, La Plage Factory proudly contributed to the National Research Week 2025, highlighted the synergy between academia, industry, and startups.
From hosting vibrant discussions at our stand to featuring six innovative entrepreneurs on MBC Live, we demonstrated how vision meets execution. Their startups are leading the way in education, sustainability, food systems, digital transformation, and circular economy.
La Plage Factory’s team also took part in the program, sharing insights and driving key conversations throughout the day. Our Managing Director, Michel Cordani, participated in a cross-sector panel discussion on Creating Value through Research. This panel emphasized the importance of fostering synergies between research and entrepreneurship, as well as facilitating local market access and securing early-stage funding. It also highlighted the opportunity for collaboration with corporates that are willing to embrace open innovation.
Curious to learn more about the innovative solutions and the insightful discussions that took place? Read the full article and join the conversation!
Research & Innovation in Action – Bridging Academia, Industry & Startups
On April 18th, La Plage Factory joined the final day of National Research Week 2025 at the Paul Octave Wiehe Auditorium, University of Mauritius — a dynamic national initiative convened under the patronage of Dr. the Honourable Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research.
As the first edition of its kind, this pioneering initiative was themed “Uniting Research, Industry and Innovation,” celebrating an unprecedented collaboration between all tertiary education institutions.
The event was jointly organised by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology Ltd (MIBL), Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR), Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd (PML).
La Plage Factory was present both inside and out:
Outside the auditorium, we hosted a stand that served as a vibrant meeting point — where partners, curious students, and ecosystem players stopped by to learn more about innovation, entrepreneurship, incubators and how the MRIC is supporting the National SME Incubator Scheme (NSIS). One exciting exchange even sparked a collaboration opportunity around startup facilitation and mentorship with a Polytechnics Mauritius lecturer!
Inside, six startups from our programs took center stage during a live MBC broadcast, showcasing impactful solutions across education, sustainability, food systems, and digital transformation. Each one stands as a role model for innovation-in-action — proof that when vision meets execution, local innovators can deliver game-changing solutions:
Kunjani - An AI-assisted, gamified learning playground designed for dynamic team training on Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, and in-person. A standout for applying behavioral science to enterprise learning. Check Hanz Zietsman post about his interview here
Knowcations - An applied research project and potential first patented startup under the NSIS, pioneering a novel grassroots knowledge management concept to support researchers and entrepreneurs in managing local and global collaboration contexts. To lean more, visit Ulrich Schmitt research gate profile here
Simply Good Food - A bootstrapped health food delivery platform, consistently growing and refining its model. Founder Melissa Labonté has doubled quarterly revenue in 2024 without external funding — a strong testament to founder resilience and focused execution.
Dodobird.ai - A deep tech startup using AI to revolutionize retail through personalized customer engagement. From a research-led concept to early traction, Dodobird.ai exemplifies Mauritius’ capacity to lead in smart retail. Founder Thierry Lincoln, a Stanford-trained scientist, delivered a compelling TED-style talk on the transformative role of AI in education - showcasing how deep tech innovation can emerge from and serve Mauritius.
DigitalGo - A digital adtech platform that simplifies online advertising for local SMEs, while powering revenue generation for Mauritian content publishers. A great example of inclusive tech, building value for underserved market segments. Check their recent post about their experience here
La Déchetèque - The first circular economy platform for second-hand construction materials in Mauritius. Through its “Kase Ranze” model, the project combines environmental advocacy with practical reuse solutions — now serving both individuals and businesses.
It wasn’t just our startups on stage — La Plage Factory’s team also took part in the program, sharing insights and driving key conversations throughout the day.
Our Entrepreneur in Residence, Jason Delorie, also spoke on MBC Live, sharing his perspective on the Mauritian innovation ecosystem — reflecting on the need for local market access, early traction, and cross-sector support to unlock real impact. He was featured alongside the showcased startups in a segment that highlighted the growing synergy between research and entrepreneurship.
Our Managing Director Michel Cordani participated in a cross-sector panel discussion on Creating Value through Research, alongside Thierry Lincoln (Dodobird.ai), Mr. Roshan Seebaluck (Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd), Ms. Lillka Cuttaree (Blossom Factory by JKC Foundation), Dr. Manish Diwan (BIRAC, Government of India), Dr. Brinda Ramasawmy (University of Mauritius), and Mr. Vidia Mooneegan (Dayforce), moderated by Dr. Vickram Bissonauth (MRIC).
To conclude the day, Business Mauritius convened a high-level round table discussion on “Future-Proofing Academic Research for Industry 5.0,” bringing together sector leaders to explore how academia and industry can co-evolve to meet emerging market demands and tap into profitable niche opportunities for Mauritius.
The panel featured valuable contributions from Dr. Drishtysingh Ramdenee (Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Mr. Mehul Bhatt (Bioculture Ltd), Mr. Geerish Bucktowonsing (Economic Development Board), Mr. Ruben Munien (CIEL Group), Prof. Mari Jansen van Rensburg (Middlesex University Mauritius), and Mr. Tan Chee Peng (Team SYNthesis, via Zoom), moderated by Dr. Manish Diwan (BIRAC, Government of India).
A big thank you to the organisers for bringing together such a rich and diverse mix of researchers, entrepreneurs, institutions, and innovation enablers. The day was a true showcase of the talent, ideas, and commitment driving Mauritius forward. We left energised — by the quality of conversations, the meaningful visibility offered to our startups, and the many pathways opened for future collaboration. This is what purposeful ecosystem building looks like.
We’re proud to be part of a growing ecosystem where research meets entrepreneurship — and where ideas turn into impact.
#MRIC #NationalResearchWeek2025 #LaPlageFactory #NSIS #Mauritius #InnovationEcosystem #Startups #SmartEntrepreneurs #ResearchToMarket #Entrepreneurship #PaulOctaveWiehe #PolytechnicsMauritius #AcademiaMeetsIndustry #TechForGood
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
