The entrepreneurs received their certificates during a certificate ceremony on January 26, 2023 at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay, Tortola.

The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship was hosted in partnership with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and funded through The Virgin Foundation operating as Virgin Unite.

‘Strategic plan’

According to a press release from HLSCC today, February 10, 2023, Vice President of Academic Affairs at HLSCC, Dr Arlene L. Smith-Thompson said, “As part of our strategic plan at HLSCC, we pride ourselves in partnering with institutions such as the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship and Unite BVI in the provision of training opportunities that seek to build workforce capacity and reduce unemployment in our territory.”

CEO of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship Caribbean, Ms Lauri-Ann Ainsworth said, “The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship Caribbean was thrilled to be back in the BVI, supporting and empowering local entrepreneurs through our accelerator programme.”

Topics covered

The programme covered topics such as Preparing for the Pitch and Developing the Pitch Desk, Developing a Winning Business Model, Growth Strategy, Marketing: Branding and Customer Engagement, Accounting Principles: Statements – Check and Balances; Sales Forecasting and Enterprise Value, Competitive Analysis and Maximising Sales.

Ms Ainsworth added that the comprehensive programme included a week-long investment readiness BootCamp, a 12-week virtual platform training, and access to mentors and coaches. This provided entrepreneurs with additional training to assist them in navigating the economy, expanding their knowledge, refining their pitch decks, and growing their businesses.

She concluded, “We are proud to have played a role in the development of these innovative enterprises and look forward to our continued efforts in fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the BVI."

The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship supports the development of entrepreneurs through a unique combination of three core activities: Training entrepreneurs to structure their business for growth; holding entrepreneurs accountable for their growth plans through a mentorship programme; and preparing entrepreneurs to access and efficiently manage funding.

Certificates of completion & participation

The following individuals received Certificates of Completion: Aneika Smith, Arona Forbes, Carlie Stanislaus, Dale Mapp, Darrell Ruan, Gabrielle Bardo, Gail Young, Hubert Lennard, Joyceln Ricketts, Kezia Allen, Kristol Penn-Hadaway, Neressa Fraser, Petrona Davies, Riiah Durante, Ruben Mingo, Sandi Boyce, Sasha Creque and Sherry-Ann James.

Meanwhile, Shakelah Harrigan, Julie Swartz and Derick Ambrose received Certificates of Participation.