November 15, 2019 - Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
– A local farm, an award winning film production company, and a solar technology company are just some of the 25 small businesses in the U.S. Virgin Islands that will receive financial assistance from Bacardi and MicroMentor as they continue to recover from the 2017 hurricane season. The winners were chosen based on their ability to show how their businesses are innovative, sustainable and viable; and will receive cash prizes of $1,500, $2,500, or $5,000.
Bacardi and Mercy Corps’ MicroMentor initiative, with support from the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA), launched the Caribbean Innovation Challenge 2019 to award local businesses that contribute to the economic development of the territory. On November 21, the winners will be recognized during a ceremony held at Small Business Development Center facilities.
“As a family-owned business for seven generations, Bacardi is proud to do the right thing for its communities,” says Rick Wilson, Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Bacardi Limited, who will join the awards ceremony in Saint Thomas. “We are honored to contribute to the rebuilding of the U.S. Virgin Islands after the devastating 2017 hurricane season and wish the Caribbean Innovation Challenge much success as they do their part in creating new business opportunities and services for Saint Thomas.”
The full list of winners of the Innovation Challenge are: Admiral's Pavilion Motion Pictures, APUS Virtual Business Solutions, Bella's Design Studio, Cane Bay Films, LLC; Caribbean Cutie, Caribbean Inflatable Boats & Liferafts, Inc.; CPI, Inc; Creative Minds, LLC; Cruzan Organix Farm, Inc.; Cultured Naturals Body Care, Island Pride Prints, LLC; E's Garden Teahouse and Things, Irie Ites, Just Elevate, LLC; N'Zeeba Sacreds, Opi'a Taino International, Inc.; The Remedy, Ridge to Reef Farm, Savor St. Croix, Scoops and Brew, SEAT Caribbean, TWS Food Mobile, VI Solar Technologies, LLC; Your Ideas VI, and Zalatina, LLC.
The Caribbean Innovation Challenge is part of a larger partnership between Mercy Corps’ MicroMentor initiative and Bacardi to support 300 small businesses in the U.S. Virgin Islands. With that purpose, small businesses in the territory will have access to free mentoring through
MicroMentor
,
a free social platform that enables the world’s largest community of purpose-driven entrepreneurs and business mentors to create powerful connections, solve problems, and build successful businesses together. MicroMentor’s global community has more than 100,000 users around the world and has created nearly 25,000 jobs in 198 countries.
Nearly 60 applications were evaluated by a local jury of eminent business professionals, including Anton Kuipers at Divi Casino GM, Leslie Fisher at the Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Hamilton at the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association, Lydia MacKenzie at the University of the Virgin Islands, Raymond Henry at the Small Business Development Center, Addison Christian at the Frederiksted Economic Development Association, Deanna James at the St. Croix Foundation, Ryan Nelthropp at the Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Kisha Christian at Neighborhood Pharmacy, LLC. To guarantee fairness and transparency, an impartial Oversight Committee that consisted of Susan Warren from the West Indies Company, Marjorie Roberts, a prominent lawyer; and Dee Baecher-Brown from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (C.F.V.I), ensured that the selection process was conducted with the utmost integrity.
About Bacardi Limited:
Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, GREY GOOSE® vodka, PATRÓN® tequila, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur, and ERISTOFF® vodka. Founded more than 157 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs more than 7,000, operates more than 20 production facilities in 11 countries, and sells its brands in more than 170 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit
www.bacardilimited.com
or follow us on Twitter:
@BacardiLimited
or Instagram:
@BacardiLimited1862
.
About Mercy Corps:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, Mercy Corps partners put bold solutions into action—helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Visit
www.mercycorps.org
or follow us on
Twitter
: @mercycorps;
Facebook
: @mercycorps; or
Instagram
: @mercycorps.
To learn more about MicroMentor:
MicroMentor’s global community is formed of more than 100,000 users around the world and has created nearly 25,000 jobs in 198 countries. Visit www.micromentor.org/caribbean, follow us on Facebook: @micromentor.org or on Twitter: @MicroMentor.
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NOTES:
Event Location:
VI Small Business Development Center, 8000 Nisky Center, Suite No. 720,
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802
Time:
6:30PM
Media Interview Opportunities:
Rick Wilson, Vice President of Bacardi, will be attending the ceremony with the possibility of offering an interview.
MEDIA CONTACT
Name: Tatiana Petrone, Global Programs Director
Phone: +52 1 55 8023 2871
micromentor.org
