Caribbean Entrepreneurs getting lifelong support

THE CARIBBEAN Development Bank (CDB) has partnered with RevUP Caribbean to launch the RevUP Founders Growth and Community Support Network, a dynamic digital ecosystem designed to provide lifelong support to Caribbean entrepreneurs.

Backed by a recent US$250,000 technical assistance grant from CDB, this initiative marks a new chapter in regional entrepreneurship, the Bank said in a release.

The announcement was made during a recent RevUP Caribbean event, where Lisa Harding, the CDB’s Division Chief, Private Sector, emphasised the Bank’s commitment to innovation-led growth.

“Our future competitiveness depends on how well we harness new technologies, nurture creative ideas, and finance enterprises that can redefine our economies,” said Harding.

“Institutions like CDB play a catalytic role, using development finance to de-risk investment, crowd in private capital, and build practical systems that support entrepreneurs at every stage.”

The newly launched RevUP Community is a comprehensive, tiered membership platform designed to support Caribbean entrepreneurs through curated resources, mentorship, investor access, and regional collaboration.

It offers four levels of engagement providing access to a vetted digital network, business resources, and expert-led events, business coaching, governance sessions, pitch coaching, investor access via FirstAngels Caribbean and speaker opportunities for advanced entrepreneurs.

The CDC said the platform is powered by Zoho and designed to connect founders with mentors, board members, investors, and service providers across the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America.

“For four years, we’ve been a virtual incubator. Starting tonight, we become something more: a lifelong ecosystem,” said Managing Director of RevUP Caribbean, Sandra Glasgow. “This dynamic, digital community will be your permanent access point to the resources you need to scale. It is designed by you, inspired by your journey, and dedicated to your future growth,” she told participating entrepreneurs.

Harding also highlighted the importance of strategic collaborators to support business growth noting that, “Development banks, accelerators, investors and policymakers, each have a role to play. But when we work together, align our goals, and pool our strengths, we create real momentum for change”.

She added that the CDB remains deeply committed to the mission of homegrown entrepreneurs not just as a financier, but as a partner, supporting our entrepreneurs to grow, innovate, and compete globally.”

The RevUP Community builds on the success of RevUP’s incubator programme, which has supported 145 founders, generated over US$1 million in additional revenue, and created 131 new jobs with women-led businesses leading the way.

CDB is financing Phase II.The CDB’s Division Chief, the Bank is repositioning to focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment-readiness as the foundation for longterm growth. “By supporting innovation at multiple stages of business growth, CDB is ensuring that the Caribbean remains competitive, adaptive, and resilient in a rapidly changing global economy.”