Ten years after its founding, La Turbine — Mauritius's leading startup incubator — passes the baton to a new director and simultaneously launches its Innovation Challenge 2026, focused on artificial intelligence and sustainable innovation. A look at what has been built and where it is headed.
A decade of solid results
Since 2018, when La Turbine formalized its support programs, the incubator has guided more than 150 entrepreneurs through pre-incubation and helped 35 startups establish themselves on the Mauritian market. As of February 2026, ten companies were still in active incubation — a sign of an ecosystem that remains in motion.
Outgoing Director Diane Maigrot, who steered the institution for eight years, stepped down with clear satisfaction: every entrepreneur she supported showed "determination and resilience in pursuing meaningful economic, social, and environmental impact in Mauritius." She remains on the board.
Swarna Gujadhur takes the helm
Since July 1, 2026, Swarna Gujadhur — formerly La Turbine's Business Development and Programs Specialist — has led the incubator. The internal promotion ensures continuity while opening a new chapter. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment: Mauritius is ramping up its AI ambitions, backed by the 2026–2027 Budget, which placed AI and startups at the heart of the island's "Future-Ready" strategy.
Innovation Challenge 2026: a bet on the future
On July 21, 2026, La Turbine officially launched its Innovation Challenge 2026, structured around two key themes: artificial intelligence and sustainable innovation. The competition targets Mauritian and regional entrepreneurs developing high-impact solutions in these priority areas.
The challenge is part of a broader diversification drive: Mauritius is working to reduce its historical dependence on tourism and financial services by nurturing a new generation of tech-driven companies capable of expanding across the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
Why it matters
Mauritius faces a dual challenge: a shortage of local labour in traditional sectors (51,945 foreign workers were recorded as of May 31, 2026) and pressure to move up the value chain to defend its regional competitiveness. The startup ecosystem — with La Turbine at its core — is one of the structural answers to that equation. At ten, the incubator is still growing.