By Shruti Menon Seeboo
In the dynamic landscape of Mauritian entrepreneurship, few events spark as much energy and collaboration as Startup Weekend Mauritius. This intensive, 54-hour hackathon brings together a diverse group of dreamers, movers, and shakers, challenging them to transform raw ideas into viable new ventures. At the helm of this innovative platform is Shivani Ragavoodoo, the Lead Organiser responsible for overall event coordination and leadership. As the event prepares to host its latest edition from the 26th to the 28th of September at the University of Mauritius, Ragavoodoo provides a behind-the-scenes look at what makes this gathering more than just a competition. She shares her insights on building a thriving community of innovators and reveals how a single weekend can lay the foundation for lasting entrepreneurial success. Excerpts:
1. The event’s core premise is to help people with technical skills “turn it into a startup.” What is the single biggest misconception that a talented developer or engineer has when they try to make that leap into entrepreneurship?
The most common misconception is believing that a good product automatically means a good business. Many developers or engineers underestimate the importance of customer discovery, market validation, and storytelling. Building something technically impressive is not enough—entrepreneurship is about solving a real problem for real people and being able to communicate that value clearly.
2. With only 54 hours, the pressure must be intense. What is your strategy for helping participants, who are often strangers, quickly form cohesive and effective teams in the first few hours of the weekend?
The first hours set the tone. We focus on ice-breaking exercises, structured networking, and pitching ideas in a way that lets people naturally gravitate towards projects they’re passionate about. Once teams are formed, the facilitator guides them to assign roles early—who’s focusing on design, tech, business model, customer validation—so the group can hit the ground running.
3.The mentors are a key part of the experience. Could you share a specific example of a time when a mentor’s guidance completely changed the trajectory of a team’s project during a past Startup Weekend?
For us, this is the first time hosting it. But while engaging with other organisers of Startup Weekend, a mentor can challenge a team to pivot from a very niche solution to a more scalable model that targets a wider customer base.
4. Startup Weekend is not just for tech experts; it’s open to students, professionals, and creatives. How do you ensure that these diverse backgrounds and skill sets are balanced within teams to create the most viable and well-rounded ventures?
We encourage multidisciplinary teams because diversity sparks creativity. A coder, a marketer, a designer, and a student may look like an unusual mix, but it’s often the recipe for success. The facilitator reminds participants to value each perspective equally, and mentors help teams identify gaps so they can adapt and learn from each other.
5. What are some of the most common mistakes you see teams make during the 54-hour sprint, and what advice do you give them to overcome these challenges in such a limited time frame?
One common mistake is spending too much time perfecting the product and not enough time validating with potential users. Another is trying to do everything instead of focusing on the core problem. Our advice: talk to customers early, simplify the solution, and remember that a minimum viable product (MVP) is about testing assumptions, not building the final version.
6.Pitching to an audience is a crucial step. What do you believe is the most important element of a winning pitch at Startup Weekend, and what specific feedback do you give to help teams prepare for that final moment?
Clarity. A great pitch clearly shows the problem, the solution, and the potential impact. Passion and storytelling matter, but the audience must quickly grasp why this project deserves to exist. We coach teams to use storytelling, real user feedback, and simple visuals to connect with judges and the audience in just a few minutes.
7. Beyond the prizes and the final pitch, what is the single most important “intangible” benefit that participants take away from the experience, and how does it help them on their entrepreneurial journey afterward?
Confidence and community. Beyond the prototypes and prizes, participants leave knowing they can create something meaningful in just 54 hours, and they become part of a network of peers and mentors who support them long after the weekend ends. That belief and sense of belonging is what keeps many participants moving forward.
8. With so many resources available to aspiring entrepreneurs today, why do you believe a condensed, in-person event like Startup Weekend remains so vital for the Mauritian ecosystem?
In an era of endless online resources, in-person events remain irreplaceable because they create intensity, accountability, and human connection. Startup Weekend compresses the entrepreneurial journey into 54 hours—you feel the highs and lows of starting up in a safe, supportive environment. For Mauritius, where the ecosystem is still growing, this energy is vital to inspire more people to take the leap.
9. From your perspective as a former winner of the ClimateLaunchpad, how do you see the themes of sustainability and social impact evolving within the startups emerging from Techstars Startup Weekend Mauritius?
As a ClimateLaunchpad winner myself, I see sustainability and social impact becoming less of a niche and more of an expectation. Many young entrepreneurs in Mauritius are not just asking, “Can I make money?” but also “Can I make a difference?”. Startup Weekend is a space where these values can be embedded early, ensuring the next wave of startups build with purpose.
10. The event’s tagline is “It’s a launchpad for your entrepreneurial journey.” What is the next step for a winning team, or for any team that wants to continue their project after the 54 hours are over? Are there any follow-up resources or connections available?
Winning is just the beginning. Teams are encouraged to continue validating their ideas, apply to accelerator programs, and connect with local incubators and investors. As organizers, we also facilitate introductions to mentors, JCI partners, and ecosystem actors who can support their next steps. The goal is not only to launch during the weekend, but to sustain momentum afterward.
