Jamaican Tech Startups Secure Major Investment

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News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Fri. Aug. 25, 2023: In a remarkable testament to the power of networking and collaboration in the tech industry, four Jamaican entrepreneurs hailing from three distinct Tech Startups are embarking on a transformative journey at TechStars New Orleans. The exciting endeavor comes after these innovators secured substantial investments of USD$120,000 each, in exchange for 6-9% equity in their businesses.

The impetus behind this significant achievement can be traced to the collective efforts of several entities: Techstars, Entrepreneurs Across Borders, and the Kingston Beta Network Effect. This remarkable feat underscores the pivotal role of connecting the right individuals at the opportune moment.

Khary Sharpe, Founder of HeadOffice; Dylan Brennan, Founder of Cyphr; and the dynamic duo of Jermain Morgan and Rory Richards, Founders of GroceryList, are the beneficiaries of this extraordinary opportunity. Through their passionate dedication, persistence, and patience, they have captured the attention of TechStars, an esteemed investor in the tech arena.

The collaborative spirit of two outstanding super connectors, Ingrid Riley and Melissa Pegus, has significantly propelled this achievement. With Riley’s role as the Founder of Kingston BETA and Pegus’ position as the Managing Director of TechStars Atlanta and New Orleans Powered by JP Morgan, an invaluable partnership was formed. This collaboration materialized through TechStars’ sponsorship of Kingston Beta Meetup Events, thereby initiating a relationship with the startup community.

The collaboration led to the serendipitous encounter between TechStars and highly promising startups, Sharpe and Brennan, who emerged from the Kingston Beta community. Subsequently, through an introduction by another key partner, DBJ (Development Bank of Jamaica), Morgan’s company, GroceryList, was brought into the fold.

The transformative impact of relationships built within the tech community is evident in this achievement. The alignment of shared goals, visionary leadership, and a dedicated network enabled these Jamaican entrepreneurs to seize this remarkable opportunity. As they embark on their journey at TechStars New Orleans, with USD$360,000 collectively invested in their ventures, they are poised to undergo intensive acceleration and gain access to TechStars’ extensive global investor network.

Their ultimate destination is DEMO Day, scheduled for later this year, where they will showcase the results of their accelerated growth. This achievement not only demonstrates the vibrancy of the Caribbean tech ecosystem but also underscores the transformative power of collaboration, connection, and community building.

Caribbean Travel News & Deals

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. August 25, 2023: Here are the top Caribbean travel news and deals this week in 60 seconds.

Tropical Storm Franklin unleashed heavy floods and landslides in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday after making landfall in the country’s southern region, killing at least one person and leaving two others missing. The news comes as Canada is warning nationals to exercise a high degree of caution if travelling to the Dominican Republic due to crime there.

Canada is also warning nationals to avoid all travel to Haiti due to the threat posed by kidnappings, gang violence and the potential for civil unrest throughout the country.

A man who was stranded for three days on an isolated Bahamas island has been rescued after he fired flares from his sailboat, the US Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard received an alert from its aircrew of a “disabled sailboat firing flares near Cay Sal,” a tiny island which no longer has anybody living on it. It is Bahamian territory, but is closer to Cuba and Florida than any of the major Bahamas islands.

American Airlines will be ramping up its service to both Anguilla and St Maarten in January. Between Jan. 8 and April 3, 2024, American will be expanding service to three daily flights to both destinations out of Miami.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has knocked the service offered to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) by the Turks and Caicos-based InterCaribbean Airways as “absolutely terrible” even as a Guyana minister issued a stern warning to the carrier about potential sanctions following prolonged flight delays and cancellations.

Residents of Grenada, Haiti and Jamaica must now apply for a Turkey e-Visa, also known as the Turkey Visa. People from more than 100 countries can obtain electronic visas through the Turkish government at turkeyonline-visa.com/.

Make plans to be in Barbados this October for the 12th edition of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival. The event will take place from October 19th to 22nd 2023 under the theme “Feed the Future.” Get more details at foodandrum.com.

If you are an educator, get ready to book a $49 cruise. Margaritaville at Sea is offering the affordable way for their teachers to take one last vacation. The cruise line is running a “Back to School, Back to Sea” sale, offering $49 fares for educators and their guests on Bahamas cruises. Educators can sail for free, while the discounted fare applies to one guest in the same stateroom. Other travelers including current and former U.S. military service members; government employees; and police, fire and EMS personnel are also eligible for the deal. Travelers must book by Aug. 28th.