The Events that are Helping to build Jamaica’s Startup Community and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Event are pivotal in helping to build a Startup Community and an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and we’re doing just that in Jamaica. It’s the busy season regarding Tech and Startup related events here in Kingston. Here is a run down of a few that’s worth attending.

1. Venture Out Challenge

What: A Global Mobile App Programme and Competition. Details here

When: Entry deadline is Monday September 9th, 2013. Enter this HERE

Who should participate: Jamaican Mobile app Developers and Entrepreneurs

Why: To go through a programme of  Mentorship from global mobile app experts, and the opportunity to be selected for US$10,000 in seed money, networking with entrepreneurs from 33 countries, a trip to Moldova for the winner and more.

1a. Special Edition Kingston BETA | Venture Out Challenge

What: All persons who have applied and entered the Venture Out Challenge here, but  also must attend this workshop as it’s part of the overall programme and competition.

When: Friday September 6th, 2013

Where: BATCO Conference Room, Ground Floor, PCJ Building, 36 Trafalgar Road, Kingston

Speakers: Dianne Harris, BUsiness and ENtrepreneurship Trainer

: Wade Howell, MObile Apps/Telecoms Consultant

Sign up Now: HERE

Cost: free

Who should participate: Mobile app Developers and Entrepreneurs

2. Development Bank of Jamaica Venture Capital Conference

What:The Venture Capital Conference held by the Development Bank of Jamaica provides stakeholders the opportunity to interface with local and international venture capitalists and private equity experts and a forum for discussion on venture capital concepts.

When: Monday, September 9th, 2013 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel

Who should participate:Entrepreneurs, angel and venture capital executives, investment firms, corporate executives, Government officials, university advocates.

Cost: Ranges from $8,000 ( Students and academia and groups of 5 or more) and $10k-12k depending on how early you register.

Contact: dbjventurecapital@gmail.com

3. Special Forum: Stimulating Growth, Enabling Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MSTEM)

Staged by: Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining

Where: PCJ Auditorium, PCJ Building, 36 Trafalgar Road

When: Tuesday, September 10, 2013, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Panelists: Steve Giddings, infoDev Regional facilitator, Africa; Omar CISSE, General Manager, CTIC Incubator, Senegal; Charles Wyeth, former Chairperson, South Africa Business Incubation Technology Association (SABTIA), South Africa : Dr. Susan Amat, Founder, Venture Hive. Co-founder and Executive
Director, The Launch Pad and Blackstone LaunchPad, USA; Sophia Muradyan, Business Incubation Specialist, infoDev, the World Bank

Charge: FREE

Who Should Attend: Entrepreneurs, Designers, Developers, Government, Corporate Executives, Incubator Managers, Entrepreneurship and Business Trainers and Consultants, University Entreprenuership Programme Heads and anyone currently involved in the Startup Community or seeking to become involved.

Contact: Dr. Stacey-Ann Wilson, Technical Advisor to Minister of State Julian Robinson
swilson@mstem.gov.jm, Tel: 430-8571

4. Startup Weekend Jamaica

What: It’s like a hybrid of an interactive workshop and competition. It’s what is called experiential entrepreneurship education. Anyone is welcome to pitch their tech/mobile/Internet driven startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders/judges with another opportunity for critical feedback and prizes..

Staged by: ConnectiMass

Where: PCJ Auditorium, PCJ Building, 36 Trafalgar Road

When: Friday Oct 4th-Sunday 6th, 2013

Cost: $2,500 before September 13th and $3,500 there after. This covers 7 meals, Tshirts, robust and fast wifi, 24hour security and much more. You can pay via eventbrite or by cash or bank deposit.

Who Should Attend: Aspiring and Current Entrepreneurs, Developers, designers, marketing heads, business heads. Anyone who thinks they have a great idea and wants to test their mettle at this intense and exciting experience.

Contact: Ingrid@connectimass.com

5. Caribbean BETA- The Annual Tech Entrepreneurship Conference & BETA PitchFest

What: It’s a conference where the smartest Caribbean minds in technology, creative industries and business come to show and tell how they are using the internet, mobile and social to solve problems, create opportunities and change the world. The BETA PitchFest is the largest tech entrepreneur startup contest in the region. Aspiring and current entrepreneurs as teams come to pitch their tech-driven ideas or prototypes for an audience of 250 people from 5 Caribbean countries as well as angel and venture capitalists who want to mentor and fund them. It’s one of the most exciting aspects of the conference.

Who Should Attend: Aspiring and current entrepreneurs, developers, designers, investors, government officials, corporate executives, university advocates.

Staged by: ConnectiMass

Where: TBA

When: Friday November 15th, 2013 ( During Global Entrepreneurship Week)

Contact: Ingrid Riley | ingrid@connectiMass.com

Disclosure: I /Connectimass am involved with these events.