Hamilton, Bermuda 11 August 2023 – On August 10th, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) hosted a graduation dinner for the 8th cohort of the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator.
Colina Outerbridge, Business Data & Policy Analyst at the BEDC, provided the welcome remarks for the occasion. She congratulated the graduating cohort, stating, “In today’s dynamic and competitive world, entrepreneurship is pivotal in driving innovation, job creation, and economic progress. As graduates of the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator program, you are not only the driving force behind your businesses but also catalysts for positive change in our society.” She continued, “Your passion, determination, and vision will not only benefit your ventures but also contribute to the overall prosperity of Bermuda.”
EBA Facilitator Tee Ogunyemi provided attendees, including alums and industry experts, an overview of the program and acknowledged the dedication required to complete the 6-month program. The Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator is a six-to-seven-month intensive programme that supports small and medium-sized business owners to help them scale their businesses. Utilizing the award-winning StreetWise ‘MBA’TM curriculum and a facilitated peer-learning method, entrepreneurs received hands- on training, networking, and industry support to help them scale their businesses.
The BEDC established a partnership with Interise, a non-profit organisation based in Boston, to provide the curriculum for the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator. Christina Griffin, Program Associate at Interise, sent congratulatory remarks to the graduating cohort via video. She stated, “To the graduating class, you leave here today with a three-year strategic growth plan, the tools, peer professional relationships, network, and continuing engagement services that you’ll need to implement it. Implementation of the growth plan will lead you to grow, and from this growth, you’ll have the ability to scale or continue to scale and the power to contribute to the job creation rate, the wealth creation rate, and the resilience of your communities.”
Mr. Ogunyemi joined Richard Augustus, Client Service Representative at the BEDC, and the BEDC Executive Director, Erica Smith, to hand out the certificates to the graduating entrepreneurs, including: John Lee, General Manager of Sound Concepts Ltd.; Caroline Bartlett, Owner of Feel Good Studio Bermuda; Keisha Allen-Smith, Owner of Target Learning; Dale Jackson, Co-owner of Hindsdale Management and Dallanika Hayward-Wilson, Owner of Touch BDA.
The celebrations culminated with closing remarks from Mrs. Smith. She stated, “Today marks not just the end of an intensive journey through the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator but the beginning of these graduates’ entrepreneurial journeys. Over the past six to seven months, I’ve had the privilege to watch you embrace the StreetWise ‘MBA’TM curriculum, engage in peer learning, and grow as entrepreneurs and community leaders. She continued, “The creativity, passion, and resilience you’ve shown are markers of great success, and I have no doubt that the future holds incredible opportunities for each of you. The BEDC commits to continuing to help you achieve your goals.”
The BEDC continues its commitment to innovation, job creation, and economic progress by hosting the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator once a year. With the new cohort set to begin in 2024, the BEDC invites established entrepreneurs and business owners looking to grow their businesses to visit www.bedc.bm to learn more about the program, the requirements and how one can apply!
About BEDC
Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is Bermuda’s premier source of free, confidential business advice for entrepreneurs. The mission is to serve Bermuda’s local business community with the highest degree of professionalism by providing, authoritative business advice; counsel and financial support. Bermuda Business Starts Here! For more information, visit www.bedc.bm.
About Interise
Since 2004, Interise has taken an innovative approach to economic development in low- and moderate-income communities by helping existing small business owners plan, achieve and manage long-term growth of their business. More than 6,000 business owners have completed the StreetWise ‘MBA’TM curriculum with extraordinary results. On average, Interise graduates create jobs at 5X the rate of the private sector as a whole.
More information can be found at www.interise.org, on Twitter @Streetwise_MBA, on Facebook www.facebook.com/Interise, or on LinkedIn.
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