For the second consecutive year, the Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition will ignite creativity and innovation in the cultural and creative industries in Barbados.
Organised by the Division of Culture, Prime Minister’s Office, under the Season of Emancipation, this initiative aims to empower aspiring entrepreneurs by providing substantial support to turn their ideas into thriving businesses.
Launched officially on Monday, July 1, the competition invites individuals with innovative concepts for cultural products to submit their business pitches.
Participants will have until midnight July 31, 2024, to submit their entries, presenting a unique opportunity to receive funding that will catapult their business ideas.
The winner and runners-up will also receive mentorship advice, business development training, financial literacy, and financial planning.
The initiative is in partnership with the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment; the National Cultural Foundation; the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and the Small Business Association.
The competition coordinator, Rodney Grant, explained the significance of hosting this event in honour of the late Marcus Garvey.
“Firstly, our intention is to encourage persons from communities across Barbados who have innovative pitches to submit them. Any idea is acceptable once you believe that it is a product or service that will sell. We continue to promote this business pitch in concert with Marcus Garvey’s ideology ‘that black people should be economically strong’.”
Mr. Grant, also the Programme Advisor for Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement in the Division of Culture, Prime Minister’s Office, explained that last year’s competition was a success. “Last year, we had 27 applications for the coveted first prize; this year we look forward to having more entries.”
Interested persons must submit their name, contact details, a business brief and the type of investment required via email to culture.soe@barbados.gov.bb by midnight, Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Competitors must be nationals of Barbados.
Further information on the competition may be obtained by calling 535-5850 or 535-5870.
For updates, persons are encouraged to follow the Division of Culture’s Instagram pages @culturebarbados and Facebook @The Division of Culture – Prime Minister’s Office.