Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Young Entrepreneur Taps into Online Event Ticket Market
Kingston, November 27, 2018 – Jamaica – Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Billodex Limited, D’Andre Fraser, has carved out a niche in the online event ticket market. Through the Billodex app, the company is making it easy and convenient for consumers to purchase tickets for various events from their smartphone using a debit or credit card. The app is popular among Caribbean and American event organisers.
The 28-year-old tells JIS News that the concept for the company and the app came in 2013, while he was studying for his undergraduate degree at The University of the West Indies (UWI). Having had experience in events promotion, he says he was aware of the hassles involved in getting tickets for various activities, and wanted to make the process easier.
Developing the business involved a lot of challenges, sacrifices and commitment for D’Andre and his team. He recalls deciding to spend his summer break on campus so he would have access to a computer to develop his business plan as he did not have a personal device.
“I stayed on hall so I could use the library and create the Billodex business plan and do my readings to assess the feasibility of the business venture. It was not easy but I was passionate about my vision,” he tells JIS News.
In 2014, having graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Studies and Marketing, D’Andre was ready to go full steam ahead with Billodex, but lacked capital. He approached the FirstAngelsJA Foundation, which provided start-up funding.
“We didn’t have anything but some JPEG slides, but FirstAngelsJA liked what they saw and believed in our vision. We received the seed money in 2015 and began working on the business structure alongside the advisory board members, Sharon Roper, Aundhrae Richardson, and chairman, Michael Claire,” D’Andre shares.
He says that Billodex can complement Jamaica’s efforts in becoming an entertainment tourist destination because the app provides analytics, real-time updates on ticket sales and online event marketing through connected social media pages.
“The Billodex app is available in the Google Play Store and generates sales lead, therefore resolving the issue of excessive ticket printing,” he points out.
D’Andre adds that through the app, consumers can also purchase add-ons such as event branded merchandise and VIP parking, thus creating additional revenue streams for event organisers.
“We’re trying to expand the business as much as possible and we are already exploring the possibility of selling products online for businesses. We’ve been approached by Sweetie Confectionery Limited and Herboo Corporation Limited about using Billodex to sell their products,” he discloses.
D’Andre anticipates Billodex becoming as a leader in online payment within the region within the next five years. He shares that Billodex plans to partner with the non-profit ‘I love MoBay’ foundation in selling merchandise to aid in the entity’s community development and outreach projects.
D’Andre assures that in a world where cybercrimes are a reality, the Billodex app is safe. He says that the 10-step security protocol makes it one of the most secure online purchasing platforms in the region.
For his innovation, D’Andre was nominated for the 2018 Prime Minister’s Youth Award in the field of entrepreneurship. He tells JIS News that when he first learned of his nomination he was elated, as he has dreamed of receiving the prestigious award since high school.
“Knowing that I am nominated is a very good feeling, just being nominated is a win for me,” Fraser tells JIS News.
He notes that the nomination is a special one not just for him but for his business team and family.
“My mother, who passed away in 2016, was very supportive during the company’s start-up and even served as the company’s first secretary,” he shares.
In that same year, Billodex Limited received the first runner-up prize at Sagicor’s inaugural Imagine Awards, created by the Sagicor Foundation to encourage entrepreneurship among talented Jamaican youth.
Meanwhile, D’Andre’s advice for other young entrepreneurs is to not be afraid of failure. He notes that failing the first-semester of university and losing two consecutive UWI guild elections has equipped him with the mindset for success.
“At the end of the day, the worse that can happen with failure is that you learn. Every ‘no’ takes you one step closer to a ‘yes’,” he expresses.
He is also encouraging persons to believe in themselves.
“We are greater than we think and we need to realise this and use it to our advantage and market ourselves and our nation,” he says.
Release: JIS
Contact: Colleen Dawkins
Photo Caption: 2018 Prime Minister’s Youth Awards nominee for entrepreneurship and co-founder of Billodex Limited, D’Andre Fraser.
(Photo: Adrian Walker)
Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.
The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new
administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.
In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.
The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.
Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.
Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s
leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.
The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.
Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.
Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM
Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.
CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.
Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.
“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.
“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity,
such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”
Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.
“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.
Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.
Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.
Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.
“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.
