The enterprises selected for Bloom will gain access to a co-working community and maker-space, small grant financing, business matchmaking, training, business advisory and coaching services.  (Stock Photo)

Ten enterprises were selected for Bloom, a Cleantech Incubation programme funded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in collaboration with the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation (BIDC) on August 26, 2020.

The successful enterprises have signed an incubation agreement with BIDC, and will receive virtual or residential incubation support.

The enterprises with the top five highest scores were selected for a 24-month residential incubation programme through which they will gain access to a co-working community and maker-space, small grant financing, business matchmaking, training, business advisory and coaching services.  Another five enterprises were selected for a six-month virtual pre-incubation programme that provides access to business advisory, training and coaching services.

Selected residential incubation programme participants (24 months) include:Prosolar – Solar PV project developer, Kerri-Ann Bovell – Biodegradable Plastics R&D and manufacturing, OnSolar – Hardware and software developer for the energy grids, BIMEV – E-bike rental services and Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute – Solar powered e-vessel.

Selected virtual pre-incubation programme participants (6 months) are: CEMBI – Recycling app, Good Ridge Power – Solar PV Consulting, Dee’s Enterprises – Agar and alcohol production, Red Diamond – Green agrochemicals, and Healing Grove Container Farm – Sustainable farming.

All of the selected incubatees will undergo a rigorous capacity building and training programme provided by the Bloom Cleantech Incubation Centre, located in the BIDC’s Newton Industrial Park.

The newly renovated incubation centre is an important part of the Bloom Cleantech Cluster and the cleantech and innovation ecosystem that is currently being developed through the technical assistance of UNIDO in cooperation with the BIDC, Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the Ministry of International Business and Industry, other related ministries, universities and private sector stakeholders.

The incubation programme is slated to commence in mid-September, 2020.  Jury members for the interview process, which took place July 29 to 30, 2020, reported that they were very pleased to see the diversity of companies in Barbados’ cleantech sector.  Jury member and Chairman of the Green Committee of the BCCI, Andy Armstrong, noted that incubatees had a wide range of expertise in the fields of solar energy, e-transportation, energy storage, circular economy, biotechnology, green chemistry and climate resilient agriculture.

Other jury members are: Senior Economist, Ministry of International Business and Industry, Len-Jamal Craigg; Director, BIDC, Marina Taitt; Senior Business Development Officer, BIDC, Modou Diagne; and Cluster Manager, UNIDO, Jari Aaltonen.

Regarding the achievement of this milestone with the Bloom Cleantech Cluster, CEO of the BIDC, Sonja Trotman, expressed her pleasure at the completion of the facility and the acceptance of incubatees. 

She added: “With the economic shocks we have faced, it is vital, now more than ever, to adapt to new realities and to capitalise on the intelligence of our people and our natural resources.  This programme supports innovation that leverages these strengths in ways that can benefit us, our planet and the world.    

“At the BIDC, we are on a mission to innovate Barbados, its goods and its services.  This achievement is a valuable part of that effort as we work towards making “Pride and Industry” the personal mantra of every Barbadian entrepreneur.” 

Barbados Investment & Development Corporation

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