Kingston, Jamaica – The Caribbean Local weather Innovation Middle (CCIC) has issued its remaining name for functions for its ScaleItUp Accelerator, an intensive eight-week programme designed to assist Jamaican climate-focused entrepreneurs transfer past the startup part and confidently scale climate-smart companies that gasoline innovation, job creation, and inexperienced financial development. Purposes shut on June 30, and the programme formally launches in July.
The ScaleItUp Accelerator is the newest initiative of CCIC, the primary CleanTech incubator in Jamaica and the Caribbean, established in 2014 and serving entrepreneurs throughout 15 CARICOM international locations. The programme is being spearheaded in partnership with the Scientific Analysis Council (SRC) and supported by key nationwide stakeholders, together with the Growth Financial institution of Jamaica (DBJ).
Designed for entrepreneurs who’re able to develop, the ScaleItUp Accelerator focuses on offering high-impact founders with hands-on assist tailor-made to assist them thrive in Jamaica’s quickly evolving CleanTech house. The initiative will prepare as much as 18 high-potential entrepreneurs, culminating in a Demo Day scheduled for September 19, the place individuals will pitch to buyers, together with the chance for one entrepreneur to journey to a European innovation hub to discover international connections.
“On the CCIC, we’re investing in entrepreneurs, and we’re cultivating the long run drivers of the Jamaican financial system. By this accelerator, we are going to empower growth-stage companies to safe funding, scale sustainably, and create significant jobs throughout industries,” stated Carlinton Burrell, CEO of the CCIC. “That is how we stimulate innovation-led development. CleanTech is the engine of the brand new financial system. “
He added, “As Jamaica confronts the realities of local weather change, our CleanTech innovators are constructing corporations that defend our pure sources, scale back emissions, and open new financial frontiers. Our new Accelerator will instantly amplify these ventures, getting ready them to entry capital, scale regionally, and create climate-smart jobs.”
Christopher Brown, Programme Supervisor, Boosting Innovation Development and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) at DBJ famous that, “By BIGEE, the DBJ is dedicated to unlocking the ecosystems that enable entrepreneurs to thrive. This consists of, however will not be restricted to, the incubators and accelerators, the Enterprise Providers Intermediaries, the colleges, and importantly, the funders.
Dr. Charah Watson, Govt Director of the Scientific Analysis Council, famous that the SRC is proud to companion with CCIC to ship the ScaleItUp Accelerator. “That is an initiative that aligns seamlessly with our mandate to drive innovation, commercialisation, and sustainable enterprise. We view this program as a daring step towards strengthening Jamaica’s innovation ecosystem and empowering a brand new technology of entrepreneurs to scale transformative, climate-smart options. We encourage founders able to develop to grab this chance.”
The ScaleItUp Accelerator consists of six key modules: Speed up Your Enterprise Development, Traction, Validation & Development Technique, Fundraising Technique & Deal Structuring, Funding Readiness and Influence Investments, Local weather Innovation Market & Alternative Evaluation, and Crafting the Good Pitch Deck & Storytelling.
Classes will run Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm–8pm, and can be delivered in a hybrid format to accommodate founders throughout the island. Individuals will even profit from 4 devoted mentorship classes, weekly pitch follow, and peer-to-peer assist.
The programme is uniquely tailor-made to Jamaican entrepreneurs navigating the complicated shift from startup to scale-up, and responds on to challenges reminiscent of restricted entry to funding, inadequate publicity to local weather innovation methods, and the necessity for extra specialised enterprise growth assist.
“We’re encouraging entrepreneurs throughout Jamaica who’re able to scale to use earlier than the June 30 deadline,” Burrell stated. “The ScaleItUp Accelerator is customised for you and full of the instruments, mentorship, and investor entry you’ll want to develop smarter and go additional. This may very well be the breakthrough your enterprise has been ready for.”
