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The National Innovation Challenge (NIC) aims at encouraging and fostering local and professional innovations created by Mauritians working in a variety of fields from Academia, Start-up and Micro Companies, SMEs, communities to local schools and home inventions. The NIC showcases, nurtures and rewards the best ideas leading to potentially life changing solutions from the Mauritian population.

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In the fourth edition, the National Innovation Challenge sought to identify and support innovative solutions that address key challenges facing our nation. This edition has built upon the successes of previous years by expanding its scope to be more inclusive and targeted, ensuring that innovation is accessible to all segments of society.

 

The competition comprised three main categories:

1. General Category - open to any individual (General Public), Small and Medium enterprises, association, group or non-governmental organization in Mauritius.

2. Rodrigues and Outer Islands Innovation Challenge (ROIC) - open to any individual (General Public), Small and Medium enterprises, association, group or non-governmental organization in Rodrigues and the Outer Islands.

3. Junior Innovation Challenge - open to youngsters across Mauritius, Rodrigues and the Outer Islands:

   1. Young Innovator: open to youngsters aged 6 to 11 years.

   2. Rising Innovator: open to youngsters aged 12 to 18 years.

 

The competition was launched on 16 September 2025, with submissions closing on 28 November 2025. A total of 287 applications were received:

166 – General Category

38 – Rodrigues and Outer Islands Innovation Challenge

48 – Rising Innovator

35 – Young Innovator

 

Following an initial evaluation, 118 projects were selected to proceed to the audition stage. Of these, 99 applicants attended the auditions held during January and February 2026. 

 

The auditions culminated in the selection of 51 finalists for the Innovation Sprint Phase:

22- General Category      

8- Rodrigues & Outer Islands Innovation Challenge   

10- Rising Innovator         

11- Young Innovator

                       

Selection was based on key criteria including innovativeness, practicality, relevance, scalability, potential impact and feasibility.

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Each finalist received seed funding to support the development of their project during the two-month Innovation Sprint: MUR 40,000 for finalists in the General Category and ROIC and MUR 10,000 for finalists in the Junior Innovation Challenge.

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In addition, a one-day workshop was organised for each category, led by expert NSIS mentors who provided hands-on coaching, technical guidance and support to help finalists further develop and refine their innovations.

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The final auditions were held in April and May 2026.

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All the phases of the competition were broadcasted on the MBC during prime time, under the ambit of a collaboration between the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council and the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation.

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A public voting mechanism was also put in place, giving members of the public the opportunity to vote online for their preferred innovative projects through the National Innovation Challenge website (www.nationalinnovationchallenge.com).

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The journey culminated in the National Innovation Challenge Award Ceremony on 13 June 2026, where the finalists and lucky draw winners were announced.

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The 4th edition of the National Innovation Challenge showcased the creativity, ingenuity and problem-solving capacity of Mauritians of all ages, while providing innovators with the support and platform needed to turn ideas into solutions with real-world impact.