The third edition of the Growth & Innovation event, hosted by La Plage Factory in collaboration with Punch by MCB, brought together over 150 stakeholders from across the innovation ecosystem to drive meaningful discussions on entrepreneurial growth and support in Mauritius.
Held at the Institut Français de Maurice on 28 March 2025, the event featured key institutional representatives, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, providing invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities for startups in Mauritius.
One of the highlights was the strong institutional support for the event. Backed by three ministries – Tertiary Education, Science, and Research; Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation; and Finance – the event emphasised the critical role of startups and SMEs in the country’s development.
Another key moment was a compelling research presentation by Abderrahmane Chaoui, CEO of Sendemo, in collaboration with Digital Africa, which offered data-driven insights into startup ecosystems across Africa.
The event also marked the launch of the Punch Cohort, a new group of thirteen Smart Entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions across diverse industries. These startups are at the forefront of addressing real-world challenges with creativity, vision, and cutting-edge technology. Their innovations span areas such as education, financial technology, sustainable practices, and personalised experiences, positioning them as promising contributors to the future of Mauritius’ startup ecosystem.
As part of the event, six startups – Bouzer Twa, ArcaLearn, Feuilles et Fleurs, Obluxe, Craftboard, and KwikAlat – pitched their ventures on stage. Their presentations highlighted innovative problem-solving approaches and demonstrated their ability to shape the industries of tomorrow. By leveraging technology, sustainability, and user-centric design, these startups showcased the strength of Mauritius’ entrepreneurial spirit and its capacity for impactful change.
This initiative was made possible with the support of the MRIC’s National SME Incubator Scheme (NSIS) and sponsorship from the MCB Punch platform, reinforcing a commitment to structured incubation and startup growth.
Pamela Chan, Head of Business Banking at MCB, stated, “We firmly believe that we have a crucial role to play in fostering a vibrant and sustainable local economy and are resolutely committed in doing so. Hence our support for initiatives like this one, and the creation of ‘Punch’, a friendly community for entrepreneurs, to enable them to make meaningful connections, find the tools, expertise and financing to grow their businesses. Because we care for our local businesses. As we look to the future, we remain optimistic about the prospects of innovation and growth in Mauritius. Together, we can build a thriving ecosystem that supports smart, inclusive development and drives our nation forward.”
A major takeaway from the event was the need for Mauritius to define its own unique strategy for ecosystem development, rather than replicating models from larger markets. Jason Delorie, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at La Plage Factory, shared research-based insights into why local entrepreneurship initiatives often struggle to scale, pointing out key stakeholders, best practices, and existing gaps in the ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vickram Bissonauth, NSIS Lead at MRIC, presented the National SME Incubator Scheme, detailing its achievements since 2017 and outlining the vision for renewed support for high-potential startups through collaborative public-private strategies. The event also shed light on the challenges faced by Mauritian startups in scaling internationally, as echoed by the Ministry of Finance.
A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring experts from MCB, Mo Angels, La French Tech Mauritius, EY Parthenon, and the Mauritius Emerging Technologies Council. The discussion explored vital topics such as financial management, access to funding, internationalisation, and technology adoption.
Michel Cordani, Managing Director of La Plage Factory, expressed gratitude to all contributors and participants, saying, “This edition reaffirmed the need for structured support to help Mauritian innovators scale beyond our borders. We look forward to working with our partners from both the public and private sectors to develop actionable solutions.”
Looking ahead, the event set the stage for a renewed and collaborative action plan to support startups. With the National SME Incubator Scheme (NSIS) resuming operations, La French Tech Mauritius, La Plage Factory, and partners from Réunion, Madagascar, and Mauritius are organising stakeholder workshops on Friday, 25 April, to address key ecosystem challenges, including early-stage funding, market access, and talent development.
These upcoming workshops will create a space for open dialogue and co-creation between entrepreneurs, public institutions, private sector leaders, and support organisations. The objective is to co-design practical and locally adapted strategies to tackle systemic challenges facing Mauritius’ startup scene while fostering stronger collaboration across the region.
