PHILIPSBURG – Local entrepreneurs have the tools for growth at their fingertips thanks to the activities of Islandpreneur, an initiative founded by Ife Badejo, president of the INFOBIZZ Foundation and founder of the Produce Wealth Revolution Agency. Finance Minister Ardwell Irion has recognized the potential of the initiative; therefore the ministry has signed on as one of its main official partners.
“The ministry recognizes development programs that strive to improve the business community through innovative means, while providing the wider community with opportunities to enhance their skills in an ever-changing world,” Irion said in a statement. “Programs that focus on equitable ways to create wealth, strengthen regional and international relations as a means of increasing trade balances, and generally provide tools for economic mobility contribute to stability and sustainable progress.”
So what is Islandpreneur? According to its founder, it is designed to accelerate growth and impact at scale in small island developing states through innovation, finance and entrepreneurship. This is mainly done through the latest accelerator programs, event programs and projects. The objective is to help island-based entrepreneurs gain global exposure and thereby attract investors. The means to achieve this are experiential and inclusive learning, ensuring access to quality resources and fostering entrepreneurial activity.
Islandpreneur Live is the signature event that turns this rather theoretical approach into real-world action. The event, launched in 2020, brings together global leaders and experts who provide participants with strategies and tools to accelerate growth.
The program has attracted some interesting names. Among them are Jeff Hoffman, co-founder of Priceline.com, venture capitalist Evan Carmichael who is now a YouTuber with 3 million followers, as well as experts from the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Microsoft and Facebook’s parent company Meta. This year’s edition of Islandpreneur Live took place at the end of June in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten, Group of Companies Port of St. Maarten, Motorworld, and the TelEm Group of Companies.
“Cooperation with Islandpreneur creates new supply routes for local entrepreneurs,” said Minister Irion. “Access to relevant guidance from such an organization on the ground floor will see people extend their professional achievements past previous limitations.”
This summer’s Islandpreneur event included master classes covering topics of global public relations, resilience and adaptive strategies. These master classes were led by Lela Simmonds, Business Development Manager at the Port of St. Louis Group of Companies. Maarten (CBCS). Ms. Moequit was also joined by Errol Cova, Head of the Expert Supervision Department, based in Curacao, and Ghyslaine Rollocks, based in St. Maarten of the Central Bank.
There was also the Second Annual Islandpreneur Awards, held at the Motorworld Showroom and hosted by in-demand online business coach and YouTuber from St. Maarten, Leslie Samuel. Award recipients included Island Owner of the Year John Sandiford of Antonio Media, originally from St. Maarten and based in the Netherlands. The Pioneers of the Year are Luis Santine and David Maduro from CXPay, a payment solutions firm. This year, the first McSood Innovator of the Year was awarded to inventor, entrepreneur and pilot Michael Jeffry of Smart Concepts 721 by Mr. Imran ‘McSood’ Amjad, Chairman of the Motorworld Group of Companies.
“We understand the challenges that all businesses go through, especially those in St. Louis. Maarten and within the region,” Managing Director Tariq Amjad said in a statement. “Partnering with Islandpreneur means we’re encouraging an initiative that highlights the incredible work done by amazing individuals. This partnership only reinforces our commitment to entrepreneurs and the community at large.”
The event concluded with a virtual summit on “The Future of the Islands”, where global experts shared their views on innovation, finance and entrepreneurship.
The summit ended with a panel discussion with Errol Cova, Head of the Expert Supervision Department and Chair of the Innovation Platform at the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten, Damien Schmidt, Project Coordinator at Princess Juliana International Airport and a business attorney, and Claudine Pohl of Lemoneight Consulting and International Brand Ambassador of the Port of St. Maarten.
With the exception of the panel discussion, all sessions at Islandpreneur Live were led by women. Ruth Kuzi of Optimus Coaching Academy in the UK, shared insights into the future of business and further focused on topics such as the psychology of entrepreneurship and accelerating growth.
American Caterina Rando spoke about the influence equation, how to win long-term customers and how to sell authentically during the Future of Sales session.
Shellya Rodgers-Webster gave her unique perspective on the future of tourism. Rodgers-Webster is a member of the Anguilla House of Assembly and a former deputy director of tourism at the Anguilla Tourism Board.
Nevis-based Telly Onu is an internationally acclaimed digital financial infrastructure architect who shared her insights into what the future of finance looks like based on the development of blockchain technologies. Onu has been at the forefront of the financial innovation ecosystem for over twenty years.
Immediately after Islandpreneur Live 2022, Dr. Ife Badejo and Mr. Dwayne Griffith, social entrepreneur and board member of the INFOBIZZ Foundation, went to Atlanta to further develop relationships with some of the state’s leading incubator and accelerator programs. This visit included meetings with ecosystem builders, investors and program directors.
Dr. Ife Badejo is the founder and executive producer of Islandpreneur. She holds an honorary doctorate for her work in island-focused entrepreneurship and innovation development from United Graduate College and Seminary International. I Change Nations honored him with the Entrepreneur Civility Person of the Year Award.
