One Antiguan receives cash award through Greenpreneurs Incubator Programme and another wins study tour to Doha

Two entrepreneurs – Lania Bynoe of Down to Earth Vermicompost
Farms and Jennifer Maynard of JaMASMAT – were selected by the
Eastern Caribbean Greenpreneurs Incubator Programme to receive
a Seed Fund grant and to take part in a Greenpreneurs Study Tour to
Qatar, respectively.
 
The Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority announced that
Bynoe was awarded a prestigious seed grant valued at US$10,000
under the programme.
 
These grants were awarded to 11 exceptional green businesses that
were part of the second cohort of the incubator programme, and
have demonstrated outstanding commitment and innovation in the
field of sustainability.
 
Maynard, on the other hand, was selected to take part in the Eastern
Caribbean Greenpreneurs Exchange study tour to Doha, Qatar.
 
This unique opportunity, co-hosted by the Global Green Growth
Institute and the Qatar Fund for Development, provided a platform
for promising green entrepreneurs from the Eastern Caribbean and
Pacific regions.
 
Participants were expected to gain valuable insights, build strong
networks, and learn from Qatar’s dynamic and innovative green
sector.

Speaking about her selection, Maynard says she applied to the
incubator program in 2021. At the time, applications were being
conducted online because the COVID-19 pandemic was still very
active, and the process took place simultaneously across the OECS.

She was among 20 people who attended weekly sessions related to
starting a business; pricing products; determining the mission and
objective of the business; and all the other elements that are
required to get a venture up and running.
 
Another important aspect of the programme was how to pitch one’s
business to receive support from either investors or donor funding,
Maynard says.
 
She notes that she had to compete with entrepreneurs from across
the region; and after they had made their pitch and submitted their
business plans, 11 persons were selected.
 
According to Maynard, through the initiative she received a grant to
help move her business idea to the next level. Her project is about
growing micro greens, which are the edible seedlings of edible
plants.
 
Since receiving the grant, Maynard says that she and the other
recipients have had to stay in touch with the Greenpreneurs
Secretariat in the OECS.
 
Meanwhile, speaking about the Qatar trip, Maynard says she got the
opportunity to meet Qatar entrepreneurs who were also part of the
Greenpreneurs programme and she also took part in some
workshops.

She describes the experience as an exciting one that encouraged her
to continue with her micro-green venture.
 
The Eastern Caribbean Greenpreneurs Incubator Program was
launched in 2021 and is a collaborative initiative of the Global Green
Growth Institute and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
It is funded by the Qatar Fund for Development.