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Bahamian Rhodes Scholar Leads the Way in Caribbean Future-Health Innovation

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#Nassau, July 2, 2018 – Bahamas -The HEALinc Enterprise (HEALinc), an innovation incubator led by founder and CEO, Dr. Desiree Cox, hosted its first annual “Future-Health” Hackathon with a HEALinc-University of Central Florida iCORPS event to kick off the six-week (plus) future-health entrepreneurship educational program. This unique, immersive experience, which was held from May 11 – 14 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas, brought together entrepreneurs, postgraduates, thought leaders and faculty from the Bahamas and the United States who are pioneering the design of innovative healthcare technologies. The event was held in partnership with the University of Central Florida (UCF), led by Dr. David Metcalf and Dr. Tom O’Neal, and the National Science Foundation (iCorps) and included three days of exploration, networking and collaboration to help this talented group accelerate the progress and commercialization of their healthcare projects.

“The global healthcare industry is moving faster than ever, and the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Latin America are falling behind,” said Dr. Cox. “Through fast-paced, all-encompassing events like this one, we’re cultivating a spirit of enterprise and crowd-collaboration among creatives and developers from our region whose ideas might never come to life without proper mentorship, access to resources, and support.”  During the boot-camp style cruise, the participants were exposed to the key aspects of building a start-up including leadership skills, design-thinking, business-model canvas development, finding the ‘product-market’ fit of their innovation, serial prototyping, and more.

“Our goal at HEALinc is to activate 1 billion healthcare creatives by 2028,” Dr. Cox continued, “and from the level of imagination and talent that we saw on display during the Hackathon cruise, we’re off to an incredible start.”

The Future-Health Hackathon begins with a 6-week intensive program with University of Central Florida (UCF)-iCORPs being the main HEALinc educational curriculum partners.  HEALinc participants join students and entrepreneurs from all over the world based at UCF-iCORPs during this period to develop their prototypes and refine pitches for investors as they seek to obtain seed funding for their start-ups.  The 6-week intensive is followed by a 48-hour HEALinc-IBM ‘Tech Hack’ where successful entrepreneurial leaders come together with developers to build out an app or tech component of their prototype.  Finally, entrepreneurial leads will have an opportunity to launch their Start-Ups at the 2018 inaugural HEALinc GlobalFuture-Health Innovation Summit, which will be held in The Bahamas, 7th-9th October. (www.healincfuturehealthsummit.com)

 

Release: HEALinc Enterprise

Photo Caption: Dr. Desiree Cox (third from left), the first Bahamian Rhodes Scholar and CEO & Founder of The Healinc., groomed entrepreneurs and tech talent during the 2018 Healinc Future-Health Hackathon cruise including Jamaican-American medical student Brittney Eason and Bahamians Robin Lightbourne and Mike Fountain.

 

Contact

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Desiree Cox                                                                                       Maya Nottage

Tel: (242) 376-2511                                                                                Tel: (242) 808-9783

Email: dr.desireecox@gmail.com                                                        Email: mayanottage@gmail.com

 

The HEALinc Enterprise (HEALinc) is a one-of-a-kind future-health innovation incubator focused on the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region of the Americas. We are the Y combinator for the Caribbean and the future-health innovation testing laboratory for the world. Based in Nassau, Bahamas, we are empowering creatives, tech talent, researchers, health intrapreneurs, and entrepreneurs from LAC countries and diaspora communities to create the future of our region’s health. Our network brings together top talent, thought leaders, developers and the best-of-the-best in future health forecasting and tech to help start-ups and Small Growing Businesses (SGBs) bring paradigm-shifting innovation to life.  Our goal is to create a movement of 1 billion Healthcare Creatives by 2028. Learn more about how we are creating the future of healthcare at www.theHEALinc.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Monument Beverage Co. Caribbean Wines & Spirits Uniquely Bahamian Newest Product

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.

Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.

This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.

The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.

The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.

Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.

“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.

“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”

The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.

Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.

Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice.  Monument is made to celebrate, visit  www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.

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Lady Kayla Crowned Goombay Punch Cup Sailing Champion of 2025/2026

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L–R: Joss Knowles, Kianno Hutchinson, Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager at Caribbean Bottling Company and Dallas Knowles receiving a donation on behalf of the Exuma Sailing Club at the Long Island Regatta awards ceremony.

NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.

CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.

The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.

Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.

“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.

Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.

“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.

“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.

Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.

“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top.  In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla.  Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.

The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.

For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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