Vincentian youth entrepreneur among CIC 2016 finalists

Local youth entrepreneur Cenus Hinds, is among eight finalists selected for the Caribbean Innovation Challenge (CIC) 2016, a regional support programme and start-up accelerator for CARICOM nationals seeking to take their entrepreneurial initiatives to the market.

Hinds is the owner of Konversi, a mobile marketing business, which is set to be launched soon, that provides a social and mobile {{more}}platform on which businesses can more effectively connect with their customers, while also gathering valuable feedback.

He was the only finalist announced from St Vincent and the Grenadines by organizers, the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the University of the West Indies (UWI). He now has one month to prepare his presentations to compete live at the CIC Finals, Expo and Awards Ceremony in June in the Dominican Republic.

Last year, Konservi was one of 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 City.

The other seven finalists for the CIC 2016 are from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, and Barbados.

The CIC is open to aspiring business owners as part of the Caribbean Regional Entrepreneurial Asset Commercialization Hub (REACH*) programme. The competition will award projects in two categories: Creative Industries and Technology Commercialization.

Winners will receive an award package that includes: US$5,000 seed capital, access to investors and resources, follow-up services and the unique opportunity to be part of the Leadership Links Network, a platform for young entrepreneurs to be part of global and high levels events receiving wide international visibility.

Local YABT partner, the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc (CED) in congratulating Hinds is pleased that yet another youth entrepreneur has made it to the CIC finals. In April 2013, Kamara Jerome of Emerald Energy won at the finals in the Best Environmental category with a wind and solar powered boat.