The Innovation challenge: a perfect example of growth through collaboration !
The Network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce has partnered with the TEECA program (Trade Enhancement for the Eastern Caribbean) on the Innovation Challenge that was officially launched on January 5th, 2021.
Twelve TEECA companies from the ICT and Green energy sectors took up challenges raised by the Agrobusiness, Fashion and Music sectors. The goal of the Innovation Challenge was to address these issues by proposing innovative solutions:
- Agrobusiness sectoral issue: How to respond to the sourcing and client management challenges in the agro-processing sector?
- Fashion sectoral issue: How to better produce in the Caribbean region?
- Music sectoral issue: How to redefine the business model of the Music Industry?
We selected jury members among members and partners of the CARICHAM network:
- Béatrice Ilias, Executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haiti
- Boris Dupoux, entrepreneurship Advisor at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Martinique
- Jeffrey Chen, Responsible Energy Manager for the Massy Energy and Industrial Gases Business Unit
- Keiyia Jackson-George, Executive director of the British Virgin Islands Chamber of Commerce
- Sandrine Laroche, General Secreatary of the Western Chamber of Commerce of Haiti
After two months of preparation and deliberation we held the final on March 5th, where the five finalists were able to pitch their idea:
- Mélanie Chaurand, from Green Technologie, a Martinican company specialized in clean energy collection;
- Ian Mitchell, owner of eMagine Solutions Inc. based in St. Lucia specialized in Web development and SEO;
- Ricardo Boatswain, owner of Solife Inc. based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines offering digital solar power generation and solutions
- Terrence Elliott, owner of Converge Solutions Inc. based in St. Lucia offering digital intuitive and innovative solutions to their clients;
- Zaina Pamphile from Eco Carib, a St Lucia based company offering services in solar renewable energy;
And it is Zaina Pamphile’s innovative solution to redefine the business model of the Music Industry that received the first prize and 10 000 euros offered by the TEECA program.
Finalists have been invited to share their proposals with the TEECA companies of each sectors concerned. We hope to create long lasting opportunities of partnership among TEECA beneficiaries that will contribute to the development of their business.
