Four Winners For Ignite Final Pitch Competition
Ignite Bermuda – the Island’s first privately funded entrepreneurial accelerator programme – has announced the winners of its final pitch competition for its inaugural cohort.
First Place Winner Alicia Kirby, of Wanderlust Explorers Ltd, a company offering dynamic tour experiences for Bermuda’s travellers
Sponsored by Clarien Bank, the competition saw a top prize awarded to Alicia Kirby, of Wanderlust Explorers Ltd, a company offering dynamic tour experiences for Bermuda’s travellers.
Second place was won by Taylor Rankin of DreamDish [a magical experience platform]; Third Place went to Rochelle Minors of Rochelle Nicole [a leading Bermuda based women’s luxury fashion brand]; the other entrepreneur to reach the finals was Samuel Outerbridge, co-owner of Coral Coast Clothing.
Earlier this year, Clarien also entered into a three-year commitment to sponsor the Ignite programme.
Sean Reel, Executive Director of Ignite Bermuda, said: “I’m proud and impressed at the talent and tenacity of all the entrepreneurs who took part in the first cohort of Ignite Bermuda’s entrepreneur accelerator programme.” P
articipants not only transformed their businesses, but also became stronger as a result of the initiative, Mr Reel explained.
“We are a business accelerator, but also developing individuals with the ability to create and build future business opportunities for Bermuda. We work on people’s confidence and mindset as well. You can give someone the best business plan in the world, but if they have a lack of self-confidence then they won’t execute that plan and turn it into reality,” he added.
Second place was won by Taylor Rankin of DreamDish [a magical experience platform]
In addition to the pitch competition, November 13th also marked the official opening of Ignite’s hub working space, located at 12 Wesley Street, Hamilton. In attendance for the ribbon cutting was Minister for the Cabinet Office Wayne Furbert.
Third Place went to Rochelle Minors of Rochelle Nicole [a women’s luxury fashion brand]
Michael DeCouto, Clarien’s Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, said: “Clarien is pleased to add to our three-year sponsorship of the Ignite Bermuda programme, with our recent donation of $5,000 to the pitch competition winners.
“One of our core values as a financial institution is to build a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem on the Island. We see this as critical to reenergizing the economy and giving back to the community in which we are blessed to live and operate.”
The other entrepreneur to reach the finals was Samuel Outerbridge, co-owner of Coral Coast Clothing
Ignite Bermuda, which launched earlier this year in partnership with the UK’s Entrepreneurial Spark, aims to create an ideal environment for local entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses.
According to the 2018 Business Confidence Index Report, published by Total Research Associates, small and medium-sized businesses [SMEs] continue to dominate the Bermuda economy, accounting for nearly 70% of the private sector.
Ignite Bermuda provides a collaborative work environment where entrepreneurs can obtain new skills, make connections and get confidential/ personalised coaching from mentors and business leaders. The first cohort of 17 Bermuda based-entrepreneurs began in May 2019 with a boot camp and business curriculum customised for the Bermuda market.
For more information, visit www.ignitebermuda.com.
Well done Samuel!
Congratulations to all the winners!