Chamber encourages entrepreneurs to participate in iFounded | SOUALIGA NEWSDAY

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2020 is bringing together a collaborative effort in hosting its very first joint virtual pitch competition, iFounded 2020. IFounded kicked off on October 1st opening up its registration to entrepreneurs based on St.Maarten and Curaçao.

Only twenty (20) registered businesses that are no more than 5 years old will participate in a virtual bootcamp during GEW 2020 (November 16-20). These entrepreneurs, who want to create significant impact, will be mentored, and coached by top business leaders from around the world. However, only six (6) will be selected to move on to pitch at the virtual pitch competition on December 8th, 2020.

The Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sint Maarten is one of iFounded’s collaborative partners, along with key stakeholders; Curaçao Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KvK), Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), GEW Curaçao and Produce Wealth Revolution (PWR) Agency. St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sint Maarten (COCI), sees this as an opportunity to promote entrepreneurial businesses on both islands while building strategic relationships in the region and in the world to support entrepreneurial endeavours on the island.

The basic requirements are that 1) the business should be registered at the Chamber of Commerce (an excerpt of this year will be requested) on either Curaçao or Sint Maarten, 2) the business should be no more than 5 years old, and 3) the business should be able to demonstrate that it can create high-impact both socially and economically. These businesses include those in the digital, social, creative, and green economies.

iFounded 2020 is designed to serve as a catalyst to stimulate entrepreneurship on these island economies that have been hit hard by both the compounded effect of the global pandemic. It is hoped that the impact of iFounded produces more economic resilience and innovative collaboration for growth. Winners of the pitch competition will receive $10 000 in smart investment, which includes a combination of coaching, services, and cash prizes.

Deadline is November 12 at 5:00 PM AST. For more information email info@experiencepwr.com. To learn more or apply go to www.islandfounded.com/apply.