Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Student Entrepreneur Team Wins Global Competition
#Jamaica, May 23, 2018 – Kingston – Northern Caribbean University (NCU) has created history by fielding the first Jamaican student entrepreneur team, Beasc Technologies, to win the prestigious International Business Model Competition (IBMC) for tertiary institutions globally.
Beasc Technologies, which was one of five Jamaican teams participating in the IBMC’s 2018 renewal in Utah, USA, from May 10 to 11, topped participants from 38 other colleges and universities to cop the champion’s trophy and a US$30,000 cash prize. The teams’ performance was further embellished with a second-place finish by University of the West Indies (UWI) representative, Eco-Structures, whose members were awarded the US$20,000 first runner-up prize.
The feats were achieved in only the fifth year that Jamaican tertiary student-run businesses were participating in the annual event, dating back to 2014 when the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) launched the National Business Model Competition (NBMC) for local tertiary-student entrepreneurs. Both teams made their presentations to a high-level group of judges comprising author of the bestselling books ‘Running Lean’ and ‘Scaling Lean’ – Ash Maurya, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Startup Tuscon – Aaron Eden, and Founder and CEO of Precoil – David Bland.
Other Jamaican entrants this year included 2018 NBMC winner – Queritel, and Skolastik Oasis, both from the UWI; and Pneulyfe from NCU. Eco-Structures and Pneulyfe were first and second runners-up, respectively, to Queritel. Their placements continued the impressive run of local teams finishing among the IBMC’s top-10 competitors, with all NBMC winners between 2014 and 2017 achieving this feat.
The previous highest placement was recorded by 2017 NBMC winner, Natisma Nutraceuticals, which finished fourth.
National NBMC Coach, Douglas Lindo, who travelled with the teams to Utah, has high praises for the performances of Beasc Technologies and Eco-Structures.
“We are overjoyed. Imagine first and second in our fifth year of entering this world-class event. This is amazing,” he tells JIS News.
Designed to encourage and promote the creative and innovative thinking of students, the NBMC facilitates local entrepreneurial skills and enhances collaboration and communication between stakeholders in the private sector and academia.
The initiative is anchored and supported by the DBJ and its partners, including the Inter-American Development Bank-Multilateral Investment Fund (IDB-MIF), Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), PanJam Investment Limited, Musson Foundation, Restaurant Associates Limited (Burger King), Scotiabank Jamaica, Sagicor Group, GK Capital Management, PetroCaribe Development Fund and NCB Foundation.
The IBMC is sponsored by the Kevin and Debra Rollins Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology in the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University, headquartered in Provo, Utah.
The entrepreneurship programme at the Marriott School, which has campuses/students across the United States and in 105 other countries, is consistently ranked among the top such offered, annually.
By: Douglas McIntosh (JIS)
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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