Youth entrepreneur qualifies for 10th TIC Americas

Youth entrepreneur Cenus Hinds is among 32 teams from 17 countries selected as finalists in the 10th Talent and Innovation Competition of the Americas (TIC Americas) and the Eco-Challenge 2015, scheduled to take place in Panama next month.{{more}}

Konversi, a mobile marketing business owned by 19-year-old Cenus Hinds of Layou, was among 2,734 teams from the OAS Member States that participated in the TIC Americas, which is organized by the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), in cooperation with the Organization of American States (OAS).

Konversi is a powerful social promotions app that connects businesses with their customers, who use it to stay informed of the best deals and promotions. The idea was founded in 2014, with investment made by LIME (SVG) for the development of the mobile application. Upon learning of his achievement, moments after the announcement last Friday, Hinds was overjoyed and expressed confidence that he will emerge a winner.

“The networking opportunity by itself is astounding! But I do intend on bringing my A-game and winning it…. Not only for my country and business, but also so that other locals, especially youths, can see what’s possible!” Hinds stated.

TIC Americas is a component of the IV Young Americas Forum, an official activity within the framework of the VII Summit of the Americas “Prosperity with Equity: The Challenge of Cooperation in the Americas.” The programme honours innovative businesses and accelerates the process of market integration of young entrepreneurs in the Americas. Its model goes beyond developing a business plan, as it incorporates extensive support phases with training, mentoring and development of prototype. Prizes include incubation opportunities, training, business network, cash, international visibility and important contacts.

TIC Americas 2015 is sponsored by PepsiCo Latin American Beverages, World Bank, the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development of the OAS, Central America Bottling Corporation, Postobón, and the Government of Panama.

“We congratulate each and every young entrepreneur who participated in this process and completed the application. We encourage all participants to continue working with YABT as your partner to make your idea become a real business. YABT is keen to always share with you further opportunities that will help you develop your business ideas and projects. Those who have completed successfully all the requirements will receive a follow-up report developed by our evaluation committee.”

YABT on Friday announced the finalists and recognized the financial, institutional, and human support provided by its partners and sponsors, which includes the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc (CED), one of its local partners. The other countries in the finals are Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama, Chile, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala, Columbia, Argentina, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Bucaramanga, Cali, Medellin, and Columbia.

YABT is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1999, as a private sector initiative that promotes social and economic development among young people worldwide. YABT works in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) promoting and facilitating opportunities for youth spaces and tools for eradicating poverty and improving the living conditions of young people in the Americas.