Entrepreneurs ‘Pitch’ Ideas For $5,000 Prize

November 18, 2015

Bermudians with plans to launch or expand businesses gathered at City Hall on Friday evening to participate in the Bermuda Economic Development Corporations 8th Annual Rocket Pitch Competition.

The Competition, supported by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Department of E-commerce and the BEDC, is run as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

It is open to any entrepreneur with a new business idea in one of three separate industry categories: PitchPINK – for a tourism/hospitality product or service; PitchTECH – for innovative technology or e-business idea; or PitchTOWN – for a business with a focus on local customers.

Rosheena Beek of Moja Co Productions, a children’s book publisher presented her plans to expand her sales network.

RocketPitch 17 Nov (1)

PitchTECH judges Marisa Stones, Michael Branco and Leon Bascome heard proposals for a Bermuda-themed computer game from developer Adrian Lodge; Kim Caisey presented a web-based resource for parents of young children, and Coral Wells introduced her concept for a resource center providing shared office space and technology training programs for youth and professionals.

Joy Clarke Simons presents plans to development of D’Sea Crest Bistro at Warwick Long Bay.

RocketPitch 17 Nov (2)

PitchTOWN judges Nick Kempe, Katherine Fisher and Marico Thomas evaluated proposals from entrepreneurs Roy Cyrus and Jakio Williams who are looking to start a 120 cc cycle rental business exclusively for Bermuda driver’s license holders; Marquel Waldron who has plans to expand his extreme sports management company into corporate team-building; self-published children’s book writer Rosheena Beek who aims to expand her sales network overseas; and Mary Smith who introduced a nutrition program for youngsters.

Alex Marshall & Jamie Lovell explaining their Bermuda Concierge Adventure Tours business.

RocketPitch 17 Nov (3)

The evening wrapped up with judges Rasheeda Burgess, Kallie Marcus and Malika Musson of the PitchPINK category hearing ideas which ranged from Nakia Smith’s traditional Bermudian food and drink walking tour; to Alex Marshall and Jamie Lovell’s online tourist butler concept; to Joy Clarke Simons’ plans to develop a bistro at Warwick Long Bay; and Jamila Godwin’s idea of a website offering booking arrangements for a multitude of Bermuda visitor experiences.

Adrian Lodge delivers his proposal for a Bermuda-themed computer gaming company Supatone Innovations.

RocketPitch 17 Nov (4)

The winners of the competition, as selected by the panel of judges, will be unveiled on Thursday, November 19th during the Celebration of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

The event will be held at XL Catlin’s Conference Center in the O’Hara Building, Bermudiana Road, Hamilton beginning at 5:30 pm.

The entrepreneur selected as number one in each category will receive a combination of venture funds and business start-up services valued at up to $5,000.The public is welcome to attend.

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Comments (3)

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  1. aceboy says:

    No proposals for sea bed mining?

    If not, why not? It’s easy. You just go out into the ocean and start mining stuff. What stuff? The stuff that is on the sea bed.

    Where’s my $5,000?

    • Not exactly says:

      Sounds like a half-baked idea. I’d love to see the business plan.

      • Onion Juice says:

        Hope its not stacked… it seems like B.T.A. is scrapping the barrel, was it just last year they invested $813,000 into homegrown entrepreneurs including Aerial Tours on a Cessna aircraft and numbers are STILL down.
        Now I would like to give the benefit of the doubt, but I wouldn’t rule out funneling funds for Friends and Family !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
        Just Saying.

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