The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Staff Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SMALL business entrepreneurs in Grand Bahama will have an opportunity to compete for $10,000 in cash prizes at UB IGNITE first annual Pitch Competition on October 6.

Joye Ritchie, the coordinator, said the competition is open to anyone who has registered or participated in the business incubator programme launched in June.

The first session was held from June 12 to June 23, and the second session will commence on September 18. It is free to participants.

Through a partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank, the University of the Bahamas Northern Campus received a $500,000 grant to fund the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to stimulate small and medium-sized businesses.

As a result of the technical agreement signed with IDB, UB North is mandated to enroll 640 participants, of which 50 percent must be females.

Mr Ritchie and Dr Andrew Moxey, Dean of Faculty, are appealing to persons who have a small business or are interested in starting one to sign up for the next session in September.

The cash prizes will be split among competition winners.

“We have about 10,000 up for grabs and other incentives and prizes for participants,” she said.

“We really want the GB community to embrace this opportunity to take their businesses to another level.”

Ms Ritchie said they are excited to have the Grand Bahama Port Authority as a partner in the competition.

Dr Yuliana Topazly, faculty coordinator at UB-IGNITE, said that the incubator programme is beneficial and provides workshops with local, national, and international business experts. She added that participants are also paired with a mentor who will provide them with guidance.

Lashawn Dames, business development manager of the GBPA, with responsibility for investment attraction, business services, and the Invest GB Small Business Bureau, said their relationship with UB spans more than 30 years.

“I am excited about being a part of the pitch competition as a judge. I think this is a wonderful opportunity,” she said.

Ms Dames said the GBPA is committed to demonstrating its commitment to building and growing the economy of GB and its people.

“This business incubator and the IDB Bank project is a true demonstration of how organisations can combine the resources we have to invest in our people and the economy’s future growth,” she said.

Participants Keira Fox, of Luxury Island Scents, and Nicoya Cambridge of Blue Marlin Bahamas, said the incubator programme was very beneficial.

“I am grateful to be among the first to participate in the UB Ignite programme and be able to engage with various entrepreneurs who provided expert advice,” said Ms Fox.

She said she will take the strategies she has learned and apply them to help grow her business.

Ms Cambridge said: “UB Ignite provided us valuable insight into the business world that will benefit my business,” she said.

Persons may visit the UB Ignite website at www.ubignite to register for the next session.