Norwegian venture capital firm Katapult has launched an impact accelerator programme for agritech at the Ferney Agri-hub in Mauritius.
The focus of the accelerator programme is on regenerative food and agritech startups within Africa and beyond. The Katapult Mauritius Accelerator is one of Katapult’s wider plan to set up Mauritius into a “focal point for sustainable innovation and transformation”, and is being launched in partnership with the following organizations; CIEL, IBL Group, Currimjee Group and MCB Group.
Katapult says it has established several close partnerships in Mauritius and has also been speaking with the Mauritian government, private sector, academia as well as the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This is to help Katapult learn and explore how Mauritius can become an example of sustainable transformation.
Mauritius has shown potential to become such an example for change, as it is positioned between India and Africa, has a stable democracy and financial sector, with a keen focus on food sovereignty and sustainability. Katapult has a larger strategy in place for Africa and is embarking on this journey with the Mauritius accelerator launch.
The Katapult Mauritius Accelerator is going to accelerate and invest in 10 regional as well as international startups. The startups will have access to Katapult’s network and Mauritian partners, make connections with the innovation ecosystem in Mauritius, and also use Mauritius as a point of entry to other African markets. The programme will last for three months, wherein the startups will live and work on the island. The Ferney Agri-hub, located at southern Mauritius, will contain a co-working space for the programme participants.
Speaking on the programme, Katapult Mauritius Country Director, Thomas Berman, expressed that, “Mauritius is a country that can become a global example for meaningful sustainable transformation. One part of this transformation will be to strengthen Mauritius as a connector and test site for regional and international start-ups who develop solutions that can spur regenerative change in our food systems.”
