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Ignite Team Has Expanded
We are thrilled to announce the recent addition of Melissa Looby to the Ignite Team as the new Enablement Manager. Melissa was part of Ignite’s first cohort of entrepreneurs with her marketing and event management business, The Pulse Group. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, including coaching, project management, event planning, marketing, and research. She will be the first entrepreneur to make the leap from programme participant to programme delivery, delivering the accelerator programme.
Melissa will be responsible for entrepreneurial enablement, leading training sessions, and
managing the collaborative community space while helping to foster an inclusive, supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship in Bermuda. Melissa is focused, driven, and passionate about helping entrepreneurial leaders succeed.
Please help us extend our warmest wishes to Melissa as she embarks on this exciting new chapter with Ignite!
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On Monday and Wednesday, February 7th Ignite launched its first Masterclass, Communications for Entrepreneurs, hosted by Krystina Robinson at Bacardi. Krystina Robinson is the Global Brand Director of Grey Goose at Bacardi, specializing in brand positioning and communications of Grey Goose Vodka.
Day one of the course dove into brand positioning and mind mapping and included multiple case studies and examples. Day two explored best practices for developing and executing an effective communications plan. There were 6 participants who gave top marks for the facilitator and the course overall stating that they would like a part two to go into more depth. 100% would recommend the course to another entrepreneurial leader.
Ignite Masterclasses evolved after the team listened to the feedback that alumni were ready and wanted additional, higher-level support after completing the Accelerator Programme.
For more information about Masterclasses, email hello@ignitebermuda.com. Spaces are limited!
| | Alumni shown taking part in the Communications for Entrepreneurs Masterclass at Bacardi. | |  | Facilitator, Krystina Robinson shown working one-on-one with Alexis Bean on an exercise | | |
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Visit from the United Nations Women Consultants
The Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, is leading the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Development Programme’s Building Back Equal through Innovative Financing for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Project, an initiative funded through the Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund. Interviews will be held with the main stakeholders, to gain in-depth understanding of the context and issues that affect the accessibility of financial tools by women MSMEs.
The Ignite team met with representatives to discuss how we can collectively enhance women's engagement in entrepreneurial spaces. We are keen to support in any way that we can.
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Pictured from left to right: Laura Lyons, Clesia Pachai, Carlos César Yammal,
Melissa Looby, Sean Reel and Kizzann Sammy.
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Cohort 8 Recruitment
We are happy to report that we had 110 application submissions for Cohort 8! Entrepreneurs from various sectors applied including health and innovation, as well as the blue ocean space. As part of the recruitment process, the team produced a robust social media campaign which included myth-busters, testimonials, radio interviews, Instagram lives, and two Open Houses to spread the word!
Bootcamp is set to take place on Wednesday, April 17th and Thursday, April 18th, officially launching the C8 Core programme.
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Mentor Programme Updates
During Cohort 7, we initiated another round of mentor partnerships and excitingly, we successfully matched 27 entrepreneurs with mentors - our most matches to date! The mentoring program kicks off halfway through an entrepreneur's time with Ignite and aims to provide ongoing support, advice, and accountability beyond the core program.
During our January 'check-in', we received numerous positive comments from successful pairs who found their mentorship experiences valuable.
One entrepreneur mentioned “My mentor is helping me get more realistic in my goals for my business and to believe in myself”. Additionally, one of our mentors shared "It’s been great, I'm very much enjoying mentoring".
Although the current mentorship cycle is ending soon, we are eager to create more matches for Cohort 8!
Should you wish to become a mentor at Ignite, we'd love to hear from you. Please send us an email at mentors@ignitebermuda.com to register your interest and ask any questions.
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Co-lab Update
We're back and we are excited to announce that our co-working space is at capacity. Feel free to contact the team at ignitecolab@gmail.com to get on the waitlist. Do reach out if you are a Co-lab member and would like to help plan an event that would benefit the community!
| | Ignite Entrepreneurs in the News | | | | |
Hey Lookie Lookie
Lookie Lookie opened a new pop-up shop in the Washington Mall, lower level.
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Owners Kayln and Michel'le Cannonier opens second location on Front Street...
Read more
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Kaiya Richards founded Choice Era in September 2022 to make following an eco-friendly lifestyle easier...
Read more
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Cocoon Work
A few months ago Camille Creary launched Cocoon Work, a therapy business targeting women of colour aged 25 to 55...
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Bermuda Trail Mix
Bermuda Trail Mix, which will be available in both cabins in March, specialises in locally inspired and prepared trail mixes and granola..
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Ignite Promotes Young Adult Entrepreneurial Internship Programme
The Ignite team engaged with the youth in our community to promote our Young Adult Entrepreneurial Internship programme, but also entrepreneurship as a potential career path.
We were invited to MSA to run a classroom session on entrepreneurship, and although not named, one of the students highlighted our entrepreneurship stats as a key takeaway from their day.
The Hamilton Rotary Interact Club joined us in the Hub to learn about all things Ignite and to hear from one of our alumna, Wanda Robinson, founder of Pivot Health, on her journey as an entrepreneur.
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We are Back at the Hub
We are happy to report that we are back at the Hub. We are so thankful to the Argus team for taking great care of us throughout the renovation process. We are looking forward to welcoming the new cohort in the space!
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