Welcome to our quarterly newsletter that captures our most recent news and highlights! We hope that you are still enjoying the best that summer has to offer (stay away Lee)! |
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We have temporarily moved to the 5th Floor of the Argus Building, as renovations are currently underway in our usual home base. Thank you to the Argus team for taking such great care of us. |
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Cohort 7 Begins
We welcomed 30 new startups to the Core Programme and 26 new members to the Fuel Your Ambition Series as part of Cohort 7. As a reminder, Fuel is a monthly virtual workshop series that is run alongside the Core programme.
At Bootcamp on July 12th and 13th, the Core cohort connected with its Resident Advisors (RAs): Holly Mazar-Fox, Feven Binega-Northcott, Carole Reed and Carrie Astwood who provided tips on the best ways to utilize the programme and insight in ways they can help support the cohort members.
In addition, each startup presented a 60-second pitch to the group. Four finalists took top prizes based on their clear explanation of the problem they are solving, as well as the delivery of an actionable ask - Camille Creary ( Cocoon Work), Kim Pratt and Rob Livingston ( Whisk and Spoon), Keile Rabain ( Summer by Keile) and Dakia O’Brien ( Picky Little Eaters Club). |
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Message from the Board
As part of the strategic plan, the team will continue to invite stakeholders into the Hub so they can see the work Ignite is doing and become a part of the ecosystem. We want to ensure that the entrepreneurial space in Bermuda continues to grow steadily in size and in inclusivity, sustainability, and affordability.
We are proud that a significant part of our mission has always been diversity and inclusion. We have prioritized assembling a task force to ensure that diversity and inclusion remain a pillar at Ignite not only now but in years to come.
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The Ignite Team has been busy hosting some very notable special guests in our new (temporary) space.
On Friday, July 14th, we hosted the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Board. We were joined by Ignite board members, Akilah Swan and Andy Baron, as well as C7 entrepreneur, Dakia O'Brien, who lunched with Danielle Riviere, Jonathan Howes, Nathan Kowalski, Marico Thomas and Shelly Leman.
Dakia and Akilah spoke about their entrepreneurial experiences and provided valuable insight regarding the community's entrepreneurial needs. Lunch was prepared by an Ignite alumna, Talibah Branch of Branch of Life, who catered a delicious vegan spread.
On Monday, August 21st, Ignite welcomed Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP and Minister of Labour and Economy Jason Hayward, JP, MP for a presentation about the Ignite ecosystem, pitches by Ignite alumni as well as an open discussion about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in Bermuda. Shane Woodley, Dakia O'Brien, Kimberley and Nicholas Darceuil, and Shantel DeShield pitched their businesses and discussed the ways Ignite has provided support. Alex Marshall spoke briefly about his experience with the Young Adult Internship Programme and the experience he took away from being a host business during the 2022 Summer programme. Kidist Emery spoke about her experience as a new member of the Ignite Board of Directors and shared her perspective on mentorship.
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Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP and Minister of Labour and Economy Jason Hayward, JP, MP |
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The Entrpreneurs pictured with the Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP and Minister of Labour and Economy Jason Hayward, JP, MP |
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Ignite's Birthday Celebration |
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We hosted a special celebration on Wednesday, June 14th, to mark our fourth birthday as well as officially launch the Co-lab, a space to grow. Guests enjoyed a tour of the Hub space to view an exhibit featuring a timeline of past cohorts, followed by the opportunity to visit the Co-Lab, the Digital Studio and the newly renovated Innovation Centre.
Thanks to Butterfield Bank, the Co-Lab boardroom was upgraded with the latest technology enabling interactive, hybrid meetings, and collaborative brainstorming with the new multi-facited smartboard. Georgia Rego led the Co-Lab project with a Co-operative Board of entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Thank you to One Communications, Butterfield Bank, Clarien Bank, KPMG, and Argus for keeping the spark alive. We also want to thank our private donors and sponsors for helping us build and maintain a safe space for entrepreneurs to thrive. The future for entrepreneurship in Bermuda is bright, and we encourage those in our 400-strong ecosystem to continue to support our entrepreneurial efforts. We know that Bermuda will continue to benefit from having knowledgeable, confident, and business-savvy entrepreneurs leading the way ahead.
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Ignite Entrepreneurs in the News |
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Meet Kim Caisey, who is taking her business to new heights with the help of The Digital Studio, sponsored by One Communications...
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Jennifer Card who specializes in organizational leadership, suggested that a glimpse into workers’ homes could have been the catalyst for a more human approach...
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Sentinel Cybersecurity
Giant holes found in company cybersecurity defences
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Ricardo Mello says outsourcing your cybersecurity needs does not automatically shield your business from attack...
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L'Image Image Consulting
'There are a lot of stories I can tell. I could write a book’
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Shernette Wolfe looks back at the 20 years she spent a the Clerk to the Legislature...
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Ignite's Social Media Posts |
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Young Adult Internship Programme |
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Thanks to the support of HSBC Bank Bermuda, Ignite has successfully completed its third Young Adult Entrepreneurial Internship programme.
The internship programme kicked off with Bootcamp alongside Cohort 7, where the young entrepreneurial leaders engaged in topics such as Customer Discovery, Mindset and Behaviours, Value Proposition, Pitching and Persuading, and Business Modeling.
Each intern was matched with a host business within the Ignite ecosystem to provide entrepreneurial experience.
Young Adult Interns and Host Businesses:
- Aaron Booth – Jennifer Burland Adams & Claire McDevitt, Solvo
- Chaella Bradshaw-Douglas – Antonia Holder, DigiRoo
- Dominic Sabir – Tyka Edness, ate@8 and Soo Nut Sharing
- Elisha Thomas – Surlena Smith, Ponda Pits
- Jaavaid Warren-Smith – Dwayne Trott, Clean Energy Storage Solutions
- Jessie DeBraga – Holly Mazar-Fox, Mazar-Fox Art Consulting
- Kesay Bell – Kimwana Eve, LookieLookie
- Monique Waite – Jermain Hinds, Hindssight Fitness & Wellness
- Nathaniel Binega-Northcott – Erica Marx, Erica Marx Coaching
- Portia McGhie – Melissa Looby, Pulse Group
- Raina deFontes – Kimberly and Nicholas Darceuil, Dignity House
- Sanaa Connor – Alexis Bean, Big Girl Panties
- Sha-Lae Cooper – Rochelle Minors, Rochelle Nicole
- Tiko Caines – Sandro Fubler, Evolution
- Zahn Richardson – Patrina O’Connor-Paynter, Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Zakiyyah Showers – Jessica Lightbourne, Jessica Lightbourne Coaching
- Zen Marley Mello – Tiffany Paynter, SOHAM
We want to thank HSBC Bermuda for their support once again. With their help, we provided the interns with an entrepreneurial experience they will never forget.
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While ongoing renovations take place in the 'old' Argus building, Co-lab tenants have had the unique opportunity to interact with entrepreneurs in the current cohort due to the temporary move to the 'new' Argus Building. This has resulted in even more networking and collaboration than usual.
We have a temporary digital studio space for recording, which can be booked out. Please get in touch with the co-lab committee at ignitecolab@gmail.com to use the space.
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Meet the Mentor Team
We are thankful for our mentors who are committed to helping to make the mentor programme successful. Along with the Core Ignite Team, the Mentor Team creates matches between Mentors with the Entrepreneurs, assist Mentor events, and manages the communications throughout the Mentor programme.
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Anna has supported the Ignite Mentor Network since 2020 and is excited to be moving back to the Island later this year, to be involved ‘in-person’ and to continue to help evolve the Network and mentorship opportunities. Anna's superpower has derived from running her own business and ‘seeing all problems as solvable’! |
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Sophie has worked in several start-ups and been a coach for small businesses. Originally from England, she has lived in Bermuda for 4 years and has been volunteering for Ignite since Cohort 3. Sophie's superpower is 'challenging the status quo to make positive change’.
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Deanna Durham helps people assess their current and long-term financial needs to create a financial blueprint for their lives as well as holding workshops to improve financial literacy through her Company Durham Consulting. Deanna's superpower is helping organizations and individuals excel in building their businesses and their professional brands.
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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. You can also apply directly on the Ignite Bermuda website www.ignitebermuda.com!
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KPMG Interns Support
Ignite
Over the summer, we hosted three KPMG interns who collected data from our alumni and analyzed their business metrics in order to give us a better picture of where they are now, post-Ignite!
Much was accomplished in just a week and a half! In addition to conducting the alumni survey, they also managed a sprint project to determine how well-known Ignite Bermuda is in the community. Thank you to Taj Lowery, Kathryn Mason, and Malay Robinson! With special thanks to the KPMG team, especially Steve Woodward and Garita Coddington, for organizing the internship.
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Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to read this publication and for being a part of the ecosystem.
We would especially like to thank our donors for their continuous support. As a result of their generous donations, Ignite is able to fulfill its mission to create jobs and diversity in Bermuda.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any suggestions on how we can improve the entrepreneurial experience at Ignite Bermuda. You can always reach us at hello@ignitebermuda.com.
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All the best,
The Ignite Team
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Ignite Bermuda is the trade name of Bermuda Accelerator Limited ("BAL"), a company limited by guarantee and incorporated in Bermuda. BAL is a not-for-profit entity (Registered Charity Number 1001).
© 2023 Bermuda Accelerator Limited. All rights reserved.
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