Hamilton, Bermuda 16 AUGUST 2022 – On August 11th, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) hosted a graduation dinner for the 7th cohort of the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator.
The Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, provided the welcome remarks for the occasion. He congratulated the graduating cohort and stated,” Your ability to scale is in alignment with this Government’s objective to build back Bermuda’s economy better. That is why we are committed to supporting the development of scalable Bermuda-based businesses. We want to see you grow and thrive and thus recognize the importance of programmes like the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator.” The Minister continued encouraging the graduates to “Continue to dream big, scale upward and outward because your success has a direct impact on building back Bermuda’s economy.”
EBA Facilitator Tee Ogunyemi provided attendees, including alums and industry experts, an overview of the programme and acknowledged the dedication required to complete the 6-month programme. 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. Tanisha Damberville – Pierre, Senior Manager of Learning Development at Interise offered congratulatory remarks to the graduating cohort via video. She stated, “You took a chance and trusted BEDC with your business. It is my hope that…you feel confident with your growth plan to take your business to new heights to create jobs that help build up the Bermuda economy and support the community in which you all live and work.”
Before the 3-course meal provided by the team at Bella Vista Grill, the graduates received their Interise Certificate in Streetwise ‘MBA’TM. In addition, the BEDC provided additional gifts, including business books purchased from BookSpace, Big Little Breakthrough or Market Your Genius, a BEDC SWAG Bag, and a Prepaid Voucher for Qodeo – a platform linking entrepreneurs with investors.
Mr. Ogunyemi, joined the Minister and the BEDC Executive Director, Erica Smith, to hand out the certificates to the graduating entrepreneurs, including: Chris and Edgar Dill, owners of Spectro Pay, a payment and point of sale solution; Michelle White, owner of Executemps Ltd, supporting Bermuda based businesses with immigration needs and staffing services; Tarra Timmins, Noesis Energy, renewable energy and energy services company; Elicia Hollis, the owner of Sweet Pea Nursery, specializing in the care of 2 – 3-year-olds and Cornelia Rawlins, co-owner of Daycore Painting Contractors, specializing in residential and commercial painting and contracting services.
Th
e celebrations culminated with closing remarks from Mrs. Smith. She stated, “As graduates of the Streetwise MBA Programme and now the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator, we commend you for taking the risk of trusting in yourselves to create and build your endeavours. She continued, “Maintaining a business amidst a global pandemic is hard enough, but you strived not just to maintain but to grow your business. With your Strategic Growth Plan in hand, you have created a road map for your future success. The BEDC commits to continuing to help you achieve your goals.”
The next cohort of the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator is scheduled to start in October 2022. Applications are open now for businesses that have existed for at least three years and are ready for growth. Apply here: https://programs.interise.org/bedc/#lp-pom-box-134 .
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 www.linkedin.com/company/interise.
