280 decision-makers and many officials, including the Minister of State Pierre Dartout, the Counselor-Minister for the Economy and Finance Jean Castellini or the President of the National Council Brigitte Boccone-Pagès, took part in this evening which took place in the Camille Blanc room of the Grimaldi Forum, loyal partner of the Trophies. The high point of the events organized by the Club Eco Monaco*, this ceremony once again made it possible “to highlight the dynamism, creativity and spirit of innovation of Monegasque companies” according to Jean-Louis Pelé, Managing Director of the Nice-Matin Group. Since its creation in 2012, no less than 73 Trophies have been nominated, “promising young shoots who have often confirmed since (…) but also companies founded by ambitious entrepreneurs, who have found in Monaco the conditions to flourish, to succeed and to last,” said MEB President Michel Dotta.

Conductor of this evening, William Rosethe Executive Director General of the MEB, welcomed in turn the seven new laureates, interviewed on stage by Christian Huault, Editor-in-chief of the Nice-Matin Group, after receiving their Trophy from the hands of the members of the Club Eco and officials present. Once again this year, the winners have illustrated the full variety of the Monegasque economic fabric.

the Sustainable Development Trophy was thus handed over to Sylvia Ratkowski and Pierre Magnes from FGWRS, a startup passed by MonacoTech which masters the recycling of gray water, approved in particular by the European Space Agency. The International Trophy rewarded the laboratory Forte Pharmaspecialist in food supplements which has experienced exponential development thanks to its performance abroad, a prize naturally awarded to its Export Director Cedric Rinaudo. the “Made in Monaco” trophy returned to Les Perles de Monte-Carlo. Brice Cachia and Frederic Rouxeville have been highlighted for having created the first oyster nursery in the Mediterranean and developed a seafood farm that provides the best tables in the Principality. the Special Jury Prize was assigned to theInternational University of Monaco. Managing Director for a decade, Jean-Philippe Muller was able to develop the establishment in terms of staff, but also of quality by making Monaco an open-air campus. the International Outreach Trophy was entrusted to the Scientific Center of Monaco. At the head of the institution in 2005, Professor patrick rampal has given new impetus by organizing three departments, all of which have strong environmental concerns, all of which are internationally recognized. the Manager of the Year Award crowned the result of a passion. That of Jean-Victor Pastor who, among his many activities, found the time to develop an original and qualitative restaurant concept, Mayan Collection, which is enjoying great success both in Monaco and internationally. Finally the three leaders of Carl, Antoine and Armand Bahri and Marta Mas Portas received the Innovation Trophy from the hands of the Minister of State. The well-known mobile application in the Principality which rewards buyers in partner shops with cashback (5% on a virtual pot) has been adopted by a large part of the resident and salaried population of Monaco.

The ceremony concluded with a family photo of the winners and the presenters, symbol of a Principality that dares, innovates and succeeds. Punctuated by dynamic and informative presentation videos and timed discussions that revealed the strong entrepreneurial passion of the lucky winners, the evening continued with a very convivial cocktail, an opportunity for the winners and their teams to celebrate well-deserved trophies!

Learn more about the winners

“Sustainable Development” Trophy: FGWRS – Sylvia Ratkowski and Pierre Magnes

FGWRS was created in 2017 in Monaco. Specialist in the recycling of gray water (from showers, sinks, washing machines or even swimming pools), its technology makes it possible to treat this water thanks to the energy it contains. The company, which grew up within MonacoTech, has already tested its know-how with the European Space Agency for long-term spaceflight, on the Monaco Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020 or on the research station Concordia scientist in Antarctica which since its commissioning has saved 5 million liters of drinking water.

The future ? Development on an industrial scale. The experiments in Monaco could indeed assess the legislative situation which does not currently allow the recycling of gray water.

“International” Trophy: Forté Pharma – Cédric Rinaudo

Founded in 1999 in Monaco by Professor Yann Rougier, Forte Pharma is a pharmaceutical laboratory specializing in food supplements. International development has been a formidable growth driver for the company. Its success is due in particular to its capacity for innovation, but also to the “Made in Monaco” brand, synonymous with prestige and quality which meets the expectations of consumers abroad.

The future ? With 120 employees, a turnover of 55 million euros and a presence in more than 30 countries, Forté Pharma wishes to grow further, by developing its market share in South East Asia thanks in particular to e-commerce, and by Latin America with the support of the Spanish group Reig Jofre to which he belongs since 2015.

“Made in Monaco” Trophy: The Pearls of Monte-Carlo – Brice Cachia and Frédéric Rouxeville

The result of several years of research, the company created the first oyster nursery in the Mediterranean and today supplies the best tables in the Principality, starting with its own restaurant in Fontvieille, with the seafood it raises: lobsters, lobsters, clams, clams.

The future ? The societywishes to breed new species to offer even more choices to its customers. Among the 12 people who make up the company’s staff, two are dedicated to a related activity: as part of a partnership with L’Oréal, Les Perles de Monaco measure the environmental impact of some of their products in collaboration with the Scientific Center of Monaco, an activity that contributes to the development of society.

“Special Jury Prize” trophy: International University of Monaco – Dr Jean-Philippe Muller

Born in 1986, thePrincipality school of management has been able to grow over the years with an acceleration for 10 years, during which time the number of students has tripled (750 in 2022/23). This rise in power has been accompanied by the development of an original pedagogy, which involves the students to make them the actors of their learning, a method and a quality of teaching validated by international accreditations such as the prestigious AACSB. Offering Bachelor’s, Master’s and MBA degrees in the luxury, finance and sport sectors, the IUM has multiplied its interactions with the Monegasque ecosystem, making the Principality a real campus on a national scale. It is a member of the Omnes Education group, a private institution of international higher education which brings together 12 schools and trains 35,000 students per year.

The future ? The IUM has thought about new training courses in line with the Principality’s needs: tourism, private equity (investment capital) and the management of sustainable transformation.

“International Influence” Trophy: Monaco Scientific Center – Prof. Patrick Rampal

Founded by Prince Rainier III in 1960, the MSc took on new impetus with the accession of HSH Prince Albert II and the arrival of Professor Rampal. It has thus evolved into a multidisciplinary research center with 55 employees spread over three departments: marine biology, a historical activity concentrated mainly on corals and coral reefs which has acquired international renown; polar biology, which looks at the behavior of certain species as an indicator of changes within polar ecosystems; medical biology, which closely combines fundamental research and clinical research which was particularly in demand during the Covid epidemic.

The future ? In addition to pursuing its many research topics, the CSM has recently implemented, in conjunction with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a world coral conservatory. The corn ? Cultivate all coral species in aquariums, select those that are more resistant to global warming to possibly reseed them.

“Managers of the Year” Trophy: Jean-Victor Pastor – Maya Collection

the adventure Mayan collection started more than 15 years ago, driven by an entrepreneur’s passion and curiosity for original and exotic gastronomy with the Thai-inspired Maya Bay. Significant human encounters with chefs who had the ambition to modernize traditional kitchens have enabled Jean-Victor Pastor and his brand to gradually offer new brands such as Maya Jah with Indian and oriental flavors or more recently Maya Mia more traditional. If creativity and renewal are the major drivers of success, “human adventure” is the key word according to the creator of Maya Collection, at the head of a company of 200 employees.

The future ? After having taken the time to master its process in the Principality, the group is experiencing strong international development which has restarted in France in Méribel and Dubai. It will continue very soon in Courchevel (with a first hotel establishment) in Ryad, in Porto Montenegro or even in Mykonos.

“Innovation” Trophy: Carlo – Antoine & Armand Bahri, Marta Mas Porta

Incubated at MonacoTech, themobile appfinanced to boost local commerce in the Principality. Its principle? Each purchase in a partner business is rewarded with cashback (5% virtual kitty to spend in Monaco). The icing on the cake is the possibility of offering gift vouchers with the App or of benefiting from more cashback thanks to a sponsorship system. The success is there with 37,000 users, 500 partner merchants, more than 46 million euros spent and 3 million in cashback generated. The concept is exported to Valladolid in Spain and Aix en Provence.

The future ? Replicate the concept in other medium-sized towns in France. But also develop new features such as the very recent possibility of sharing an invoice between friends using the application or the possibility of payment in installments.