Mibelboat and Kultur Karaib won the inaugural Challenge Innov’ Ultramarin at the VivaTech conference, according to reports from rci.fm. The initiative, supported by France Travail, aims to transform French overseas territories into “innovation laboratories” by 2026 to foster regional technological growth and scalability.
Key Points
- Winners: Mibelboat and Kultur Karaib took top honors at the VivaTech event.
- Objective: France Travail is positioning overseas territories as hubs for French innovation through 2026.
- Regional Tech: New applications like Veeni are emerging to digitize Caribbean tourism.
How the Challenge Innov’ Ultramarin Works
The program identifies and supports technological projects originating in French overseas territories. According to France Travail, the strategy treats these regions as laboratories where new innovations can be tested and refined before broader deployment. This approach seeks to bridge the gap between remote territorial startups and the mainland French tech ecosystem.
Which Projects Won at VivaTech?
During the VivaTech event, the first edition of the challenge culminated in the selection of Mibelboat and Kultur Karaib as winners, as reported by rci.fm. While the specific technical architectures of these projects were not disclosed in the reports, their recognition at a major European tech forum signals a shift toward integrating “Outre-mer” (overseas) startups into global venture and innovation pipelines.
How Veeni is Digitizing Caribbean Tourism
Separate from the competition winners, other regional developers are launching specialized software to address local market needs. According to Outre-mer La 1ère, the Veeni application provides a new method for users to explore the Caribbean. The app focuses on alternative discovery, moving away from traditional tourism models to offer a more localized experience of the region.
The Shift Toward Territorial Innovation Labs
The transition toward making overseas territories “laboratories of innovation” suggests a strategic move by France Travail to decentralize tech development. By focusing on the specific environmental and geographic constraints of the overseas territories, the government aims to produce solutions that are resilient and adaptable. This framework aligns with the broader 2026 goal of establishing these regions as primary contributors to the national innovation strategy.
