Monday, 23rd December 2024

OECS announces the region's top 30 entrepreneurs under 30

Range of industries represented in prestigious list

Saturday, 27th May 2017

The OECS Commission has announced that is has chosen its 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs after a five-month process.

More than one hundred applications were received before the list of 30 was announced, the OECS said.

St Lucia provides the highest number of youngsters with 11, followed by St Kitts and Nevis with five.

Full 30 Under 30 list below

The selected cohort represent a diverse cross section of industries, including food and beverage, art, photography, business, technology, agriculture, sustainable development, social development, sports, and entertainment.

OECS Director General Didacus Jules commended the initiative, which that seeks to bolster the creativity of the region’s youth.

“At the centre of this effort is youth development. The youth demographic is among the most disadvantaged segment of the population characterised by unacceptably high rates of unemployment,” he said.

“Therefore youth empowerment and entrepreneurship must be a priority if we are to drive the change we all seek.

“It is the hope that this initiative will provide the support that these young entrepreneurs need to take their businesses to the next level."

Winners will receive business support from the OECS Competitive Business Unit in the form of mentorship to aid their professional and business development, technical assistance in sourcing markets, and financial assistance.

Through its Youth Empowerment Strategy, the OECS Commission opened nominations for its inaugural 30 Under 30 in entrepreneurship initiative in November 2016, and extended the nominating period until 31 March this year.

Eligible entrepreneurs had to be 30 years old or younger at the time of nomination, and be a citizen or resident of an OECS Member State.

All eligible applications were considered despite business size, years of operation or industry.


OECS 30 Under 30 Winners

Name Country Industry
Mr. Akeem Edwards Antigua and Barbuda Food and Beverage
Mr. Regis Burton Antigua and Barbuda Social Business
Mr. Winston Laville Antigua and Barbuda Agriculture
Miss Sharie De Castro British Virgin Islands Education
Mr. Mitch Jno Charles Commonwealth of Dominica Agriculture
Mr. Oudin Samuel Commonwealth of Dominica Website Design
Mr. Sherwin Thomas Commonwealth of Dominica Entertainment & Media
Mr. Prince F. Thomas Grenada Agriculture
Miss Tereika Peters Grenada Food & Beverage
Mr. Shakim J. Fortune Grenada Food & Beverage
Mr. Jacques Sanquer Martinique Consulting
Mr. Sébastien Célestine Martinique Culture & Entertainment
Miss Sasha Herbert St Kitts and Nevis Art and Entertainment
Mr. Dijaun Jack St Kitts and Nevis Business and Personal Service
Mr. Janeel Boon St Kitts and Nevis Computers, Communications and Electronics
Mr. Shane Browne St Kitts and Nevis Shopping and Specialty Services
Miss Desi Brown St Kitts and Nevis Creative Enterprise and Business and Personal Services
Mr. Wendel George St Lucia Sports and Recreation
Mr. Larry Shepherd St Lucia Construction and Renovation
Mr. Nyus Alfred St Lucia Sports and Recreation
Mr. Jonathan Theobalds St Lucia Computers, Communications & Electronics
Miss Kenisha Jn Baptiste St Lucia Construction and Renovation
Miss Kandice Delice St Lucia Shopping and Specialty Stores
Mr. Denell Florius St Lucia Public Utilities and Environment
Mr. Randy Lafontaine St Lucia Photography, Automotive and Tourism (respectively)
Mr. Johanan Dujon St Lucia Agriculture
Miss Heidi C. St. Clair St Lucia Child Care Services
Mr. Anton Volney St Lucia Business and Personal Service
Mr. Javid Collins St Vincent & the Grenadines Photography
Mr. Jeronnie Richardson St Vincent & the Grenadines Messenger and Courier, Online Marketing and Advertising