As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Monaco Boost, the Principality’s business incubator in Fontvieille, is opening its doors to the public in a bid to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to follow their dreams. Here are all the details.
On Friday 22nd November, Monaco Boost on Avenue Albert II will be hosting an insightful Open Day. The goal of the event, which will take place against the backdrop of Global Entrepreneurship Week, is to demonstrate how the government-backed business incubator can help budding businesspeople in the Principality.
The day will highlight the innovation and collaboration that defines the incubator. Attendees will hear directly from “boosted” entrepreneurs currently using the incubator’s resources, as well as alumni who have successfully graduated from the programme.
There will also be workshops hosted by the Economic Development Department, the Monaco Economic Board, the Junior Economic Chamber and the Mission for Energy Transition, who will share their expertise on topics ranging from business strategy to sustainable innovation.
Monaco Boost, launched to nurture local entrepreneurship, plays a significant role in supporting sustainable projects and strengthening Monaco’s economic landscape. By providing office spaces, mentorship programmes and well-connected networking opportunities, the incubator has become a hub for entrepreneurial growth.
The Open Day will begin at 9.30am and conclude at 5pm. For the programme and to sign up for specific events, click here.
From electric vehicles to lunar mobility and groundbreaking clean energy solutions, EVER Monaco 2024 at the Grimaldi Forum in mid-November offered fascinating insights into the latest innovations that are striking a path to a more sustainable future. Monaco Life went along to investigate.
The 19th edition of EVER Monaco, held at the Grimaldi Forum on 13th and 14th November, brought together key figures and decision-makers from the worlds of sustainable mobility, renewable energy and technological innovation for two inspiring days of events, competitions and exhibitions.
Opened by Prince Albert II of Monaco, the focus of this year’s edition was the exploration of the innovations and key developments in the clean energy and smart mobility sectors.
Inside the venue, a diverse range of electric and hybrid vehicles from some of the world’s most recognisable brands – Porsche, Audi and Fiat, to name just a few – were on display. The Segond Automobiles Group made its debut as a sponsor this year, and its pavilion displayed a number of select models from Jeep and Suzuki, while SMEG presented its EVzen charging stations.
The Venturi Space exhibit was among the most popular with visitors to EVER Monaco 2024. Photo source: Auto Press Club Monaco
One of the most popular exhibition stands was that of Venturi Space, part of the Monaco-based Venturi Group, which showcased its groundbreaking mobility solutions designed for the Moon. These included wheels and batteries engineered to withstand extreme lunar conditions; these components will be integrated into the lunar rovers developed by Venturi Astrolab, which will be heading to the Moon to begin operations in 2026.
The EVER Monaco 2024 exhibition also spotlighted a range of forward-thinking solutions aimed at advancing clean energy and sustainable mobility. Qinomic, a company focused on promoting the energy transition through upcycling, presented its electric retrofit solutions. The company aims to provide a practical and scalable alternative for decarbonising vehicles, addressing the growing need for sustainable mobility options.
Helion Hydrogen Power, part of the Alstom group, stood out with its FC-Rack™ Marine system, a fuel cell technology designed for zero-emission propulsion and onboard power in marine applications.
Start-up competition
The event also featured a start-up competition, organised by Monaco Sustainable Development (MC2D), MonacoTech, the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM) and the Mission for Energy Transition. This competition, which has been a key feature of EVER Monaco since 2018, highlighted the efforts of pioneering new businesses representing the sustainable mobility sector, smart city solutions and green biotechnology.
The winning projects included Les Ambulances du Rocher, which received a cash prize of €1,500; Be Energy, which was awarded €1,000 and a feature in Destination Climat magazine; and SparkPark, which secured €500 and a year of free insurance. Grogenics received a special prize consisting of a one-year membership to the Monaco Economic Board and legal support from Jeantet law firm.
The Riviera Electric Challenge, marking its 10th edition, added another layer of excitement to the event. This year’s challenge started at the Grimaldi Forum before heading to Dolceaqua in Italy. The event concluded at the Château Grimaldi in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
Fresh oysters, warm Belgian waffles, crispy croquettes, and a decadent chocolate fountain… the new Sunday brunch experience at Smakelijk is unlike anything else on offer in Monaco.
Every Sunday from 12pm to 3pm, the restaurant Smakelijk – which means “bon appétit” in Flemish – is transforming brunch in Monaco with a buffet that’s sure to please all ages. This new autumn-inspired spread, created by Chefs Laurent Colin and Alexandre Lamberet, offers a lively mix of Belgian and French favourites that’s as fun as it is delicious.
The autumn brunch buffet is perfect for enjoying in the cosy, vibrant dining room or on the sun-soaked seaside terrace, and features a spectacular dessert selection. Delight in a flowing chocolate fountain of rich Belgian chocolate, an array of delicate French pastries, creamy crème brûlées, decadent chocolate mousse, and a refreshing, generous display of fresh fruit. An indulgent ice cream stand with a variety of toppings completes this sweet experience.
The chocolate fountain and candy station is a hit with the kids. Photo by Monaco Life
There’s also an array of warm dishes, including perfectly scrambled eggs, golden potatoes, and traditional Belgian specialties like savoury waffles prepared on demand. The seafood bar is a showstopper, offering fresh oysters, prawns, tartare, and more for those with a taste for the ocean.
And, of course, no Belgian buffet would be complete without croquettes—crispy bites filled with either seafood or cheese. Savoury croissants are also on offer because, after all, brunch is all about indulgence.
The activities for kids ensure that both parents and young ones enjoy their Sunday brunch experience. Photo source: Le Meridien Monte-Carlo
The experience doesn’t end at the buffet. Smakelijk provides a Kids Club, where young guests can join a pastry workshop with a chef, dive into arts and crafts, and enjoy games designed to keep them entertained. This thoughtful touch makes the brunch experience perfect for families.
At €85 per adult and €35 for kids under 12 (excluding drinks), this brunch brings something different to the Monaco brunch scene, offering a relaxed, help-yourself buffet experience that’s perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to enjoy a lively Sunday meal.
Smakelijk is located in the Le Meridien hotel in the Larvotto district of Monaco.
See more of Cassandra Tanti’s Smakelijk brunch experience in the video below…
In a major setback for the zero-waste movement, France’s Conseil d’État, the highest administrative court in the country, has overturned a ban on plastic packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables due to a “significant procedural flaw” that has rendered the landmark decision void.
The decree, which effectively banned the use of plastic packaging for a variety of fresh and unprocessed fruit and vegetables, came into force in July 2023 as part of France’s Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law (AGEC).
The ban specifically prohibited the use of plastic wrapping for fresh produce weighing under 1.5kg. There were some exceptions to the new rules—berries, sprouted seeds and fruit labelled mûrs à point, for example—but it largely applied to a vast quantity of fruits and vegetables sold in French supermarkets and grocers across the country.
However, the decree has now been declared null and void by the Conseil d’État in a ruling made on 8th November, which flagged a “significant procedural flaw.”
A statement published on the French government’s public service platform notes: “As a result, the decree has been annulled, allowing retailers to once again sell all fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables in plastic packaging.”
The Conseil d’État’s ruling goes further, stating that the French government published the decree without fully adhering to procedural requirements and acted prematurely, despite being asked to delay the decree by the European Commission.
“A barrier within the single market”
The EC is currently working on a set of regulations similar to France’s AGEC laws, aiming to standardise packaging standards across all member states. By moving ahead prematurely, the French decree established “a barrier within the single market since it demands stricter conditions for the sale of fruit and vegetables than those required by EU law and implemented in other EU countries.”
In recent years, France has proven itself to be one of the EU’s most ambitious states in reducing plastic. However, environmental advocates fear this latest development could result in a resurgence of plastic use, hampering efforts to curb pollution and encouraging wasteful packaging practices. The EC’s regulations on single-use plastic packaging may not come into force until 2030.
On a broader scale, the Conseil d’État’s decision highlights a larger issue: balancing national environmental ambitions with European regulatory alignment.
More than 100 of Europe’s top competitive judokas are set to compete at the Monaco International Judo Tournament this December, an event that coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Monaco Judo Federation.
The 29th edition of the Monaco International Judo Tournament (TIJM) will take place at the Salle Omnisports in the Stade Louis II on Sunday 8th December.
The format will feature teams of seven from clubs and nations across Europe—including France, Ukraine, Georgia, Italy, Portugal, and Lithuania—competing in knockout rounds throughout the day for the prestigious Trophée Gérard Bertrand. Each team member will represent a different weight category. The final list of competitors is expected to be published in early December.
The tournament will commence at 9am, with the semifinals scheduled for 2.30pm and the finals beginning at 4pm.
Entrance to the tournament is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.
