THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE of entrepreneurial talent in the Caribbean and the Caribbean Innovation Challenge (CIC) is on a mission to unearth it.
And Sherry Tross, executive secretary for Integral Development, Organisation of American States, believes that the CIC is the perfect platform from which entrepreneurs in the region can see their business ideas blossom into fulfilling careers.
Speaking during Thursday’s launch of the second edition of the CIC, which was held at the United Nations House, Marine Gardens, Christ Church, Tross said there was no shortage of talent in the Caribbean.
“The creativity is here, the talent is here and innovation possibilities are endless. We should seize these opportunities where they lie,” Tross said.
“We are launching this second edition Caribbean Innovation Challenge to encourage our youth to become more active stakeholders and drivers of social, economic and environmental innovation, particularly as it relates to the tourism sector.”
Resident representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Barbados and the OECS, Lara Blanco, also praised the initiative.
She revealed they had attracted close to 500 teams from CARICOM and OECS member states in its inaugural competition.
“These young people are walking the walk of entrepreneurship. They are demonstrating that they have the capabilities of being socially responsible citizens and that they have the ability to find creative and innovative ideas and solutions that will generate interest and the determination and willpower to pursue these ideas,” Blanco noted.
Last year’s finalist Dale Trotman encouraged young entrepreneurs to compete in the Challenge.
Trotman, who is now the CEO of MedRegis, said it gave him the confidence and opportunity to transform an idea into reality.
The CIC is organised and developed by the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) with the support of the UNDP.
