The National Innovation Challenge (NIC) was launched on 27th May 2021 during a press conference by The Hon. Minister for Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, with the aim at uncovering 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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115 innovative ideas were received and 51 projects were selected to proceed to the filmed audition stage. From these 51 applicants, 42 attended the audition exercise, which was conducted in December 2021 by a Jury panel comprised of renowned experts with mixed competences and expertise in innovation. The outcome of the auditions was the selection of 22 finalists. The selection was done taking into consideration the innovativeness, practicality, relevance, scalability, potential impact and feasibility of projects.

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Each finalist was awarded a seed money of Rs 50,000, along with the option of a Mentor for the Phase ‘Develop to lide’. During this phase, they had to further consolidate their ideas and come up with a realizable plan/ prototype or concept within a given time scale of 3 months; which ended in March 2022.

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All the phases of the competition were broadcasted as ‘Inove Moris, National Innovation Challenge 2021-2022’ on MBCTV1 during prime time and the 2nd broadcast on Senn Kreole/MBCSat and YSTV, 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 set in place giving the opportunity to the public to vote for their preferred innovative projects via SMS. At the end of the competition, a lucky draw was done and 4 members of the public was rewarded with gift packages. 

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The final audition took place on 29th and 30th March 2022 and the finalists’ announcement and award ceremony was done on 22nd April 2022 at Le Meridien Ile Maurice. 

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