Innovate to Lead (i2L) is sponsored by the Department of Youth & Sports with support from Goldenmedia LLC and Discover Montserrat.
On this Page:
- About the Competition – Important Dates
- How to Enter
- Categories
- Judging Criteria
- Competition Rules & Guidelines
- Boot Camp & Pitch Competition Schedule
About the Competition
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the competition is to support the development of ventures from ideation to commercialization. Innovate to Lead (i2L) reflects the commitment of the Department of Youth & Sports and Goldenmedia, to support innovation and entrepreneurship for economic prosperity in Montserrat.
SOLUTION
The i2L Pitch Competition (“Competition”) is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to win up to $15,000 in cash and support to help accelerate their business.
PROCESS
The i2L Pitch Competition involves three steps:
- Step 1: Apply online
- Step 2: Expert review and finalist selection
- Step 3: Live pitch finale
IMPORTANT DATES
- Applications Open: October 30, 2018
- Application Deadline: November 12, 2018 at Midnight
- Semi-Finalists Announced: November 15, 2018
- Finalists Selection: November 21, 2018
- Live Pitch Finale: November 22, 2018
The final live pitch will be held at Montserrat Cultural Centre starting at 5 pm.
Finalists must be available to present their idea in person. If a finalist is unavailable during this time, they must send a representative to present the business idea and answer judges’ questions.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Applicants in this category are driven changemakers, looking to advance social, environmental, or community economic goals via their revenue-generating business.
TECHNOLOGY STARTUP
Applicants in this category have a business idea that involves new technology product development or product improvement. This includes but is not limited to the novel creation, application or improvement of a technology-based business idea in the areas of advanced materials and manufacturing, robotics, engineering, life science, industrial internet of things, information & communications technology, etc.
CREATIVE INDUSTRY STARTUP
Applicants in this category are artists, designers, creators and cultural entrepreneurs. This category is for those who create new cultural products, firms and markets that create new economic and cultural value.
JUDGING CRITERIA
The finalists in each category will be asked to deliver a 3-minute pitch. The pitch will be followed by a 4-minute Q&A session with the judging panel. Pitches will be evaluated on:
- Strength of Entrepreneur/Team
- Size of the Opportunity/Competitive Environment
- Product/Technology
- Business Stage
- Marketing/Sales/Partnerships
- Ability to Access Financing to Achieve Milestones
Winners will be chosen by a panel of 3-4 judges from all eligible submissions of the Competition. All decisions made by the panel of judges are final. The odds of winning the Competition depend on the total number of eligible entries received.
HOW TO ENTER
All applicants must submit the application requirements online by Midnight on Monday, November 12, 2018:
- Tell us about your business or social enterprise
- Tell us about your team
- Upload a pitch deck
*Files must be in pdf format, with a maximum size of 8 MB
Want to know how to make a pitch deck? Click here! How to Make a Pitch Deck | Pitch Deck Examples
- Link to a pitch video (optional) – Gain an additional 10 points on your application score by adding a 60sec video telling us about your idea or business.
Email your Pitch Deck and Introductory Cover Letter to i2L@trulycaribbean.net by Monday, November 12, 2018 at Midnight.
Download Complete i2L Competition Rules and Guidelines
MONTSERRAT’S BOOT CAMP AND PITCH COMPETITION
SCHEDULE – NOV 19 – 22, 2018
Day 1 – Monday, November 19, 2018
Boot Camp is Open to the Public
- 5PM – National Song & Prayer
- 5:10PM – Opening Remarks – Youth & Sports Development Programme Director
- 5:15 PM – Greetings Hon. Minister of Youth & Sports
- 5:30 PM – Introducing i2L – Project Coordinator – Nerissa Golden, Goldenmedia
- Rules of Engagement
- Introducing the Judges
- Timeline of Activities
- 5:50 PM – Video Introduction of Participants in the Pitch Competition
- 6:00 PM – Presentations on Why New Businesses Must Innovate to Thrive & Global Trends that Will Affect Caribbean Businesses
- Marcia Brandon, Managing Director – Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods (COESL)
- Sandra Baptist, CEO Antigua & Barbuda Association of Small Businesses Owners
- Richard Pummell, CEO Workonnex and Aloe Montserrat
- 7:00 PM – Panel Discussion
- 7:45 PM – Competition Order/Group Selected.
- 8:00 PM – Closing
Day 2 – Tuesday, November 20, 2018 – Location TBD
For Pitch Competitors ONLY
- 5:00 PM
- Group 1 with Mentor Richard Pummell
- Group 2 with Mentor Sandra Baptist
- Group 3 with Mentor Nerissa Golden
- 8:00 PM – ENDS
Day 3 – Wednesday, November 21, 2018 – Location TBD
- 5:00PM – Semi-Final Round. (All participants must make a 3-minute presentation of their ideation or startup. Order selected randomly.)
- 7PM – Announcement of Finalists.
- 7:15 PM – Final words with mentor in groups
- 8:00 PM – ENDS
Judges Panel – TBA
Day 4 – Thursday, November 22, 2018 – Montserrat Cultural Centre
- 9AM – 2PM – Mentors available for final run through with the group (Select a time)
- 5:00 PM – Finals (Winners in each category will receive cash award, prizes, incubator space)
- 8:00 PM – Closing
Judges Panel – TBA
FINALS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC