DBJ strengthens support for student start‑ups

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) has deepened its support for youth entrepreneurship with a $3 million investment in the Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition, a flagship initiative of the Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM) that has become a national pipeline for high-potential, innovation-driven enterprises.

The funding has strengthened the competition’s prize structure – $700,000 for first place, $500,000 for second and $300,000 for third – while introducing a $500,000 Best Innovation Award. Beyond prize money, the DBJ has committed to post-competition development support for selected teams, offering business advisory services, capacity-building initiatives and potential financing pathways to accelerate commercialisation.

Delivered through the Vincent HoSang Entrepreneurship Programme at MSBM, the competition equips student founders with structured training, mentorship, market exposure and investor readiness, while linking them to Jamaica’s wider entrepreneurial ecosystem of incubators, accelerators and funding mechanisms.

SHARED COMMITMENT

Speaking on the impact of the DBJ’s contribution, Dr David McBean, Executive Director of MSBM, said: “MSBM is extremely grateful to partner with an organisation that shares our commitment to economic growth and the development of our youth as our Student Venture Competition serves as a launch pad for student start-ups, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world market entry. This strategic investment will provide critical seed funding and resources for the next generation of entrepreneurs and industry disruptors.”

The 2026 competition featured ventures across technology, sustainable manufacturing, agribusiness and health innovation – an indication of both the expanding entrepreneurial depth on the UWI Mona campus and the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Deidre-Ann Burrell, Programme Officer at the DBJ, emphasised the strategic value of investing early in the entrepreneurial pipeline: “Youth entrepreneurs and innovators are stepping forward with bold ideas and the potential to create lasting change. By supporting programmes like this, DBJ is ensuring that these ventures receive not only funding, but also the mentorship, tools and ecosystem access required to move from concept to execution.”

She noted that the initiative aligns with the bank’s Boosting Innovation, Growth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) programme – a US$25 million development facility, supported by an EU grant of US$8.2 million – designed to provide grant funding, capacity development and equity financing to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the institutions that support them. More than 1,500 MSMEs have so far benefited from BIGEE interventions, registering gains in revenue, employment and market reach.