UCC BDCI Champions Mentorship and Networking with Conversations for Greatness Event

 

Photo 1: Tennille Howell-Hussey, Manager, BDCI Department at UCC.
Photo 2: Jonathan Grant, Jnr Business Development Officer (BDO), BDCI Department at UCC.
 

Kingston, Jamaica – January 14, 2025 – The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean’s Business Development Consulting Institute (UCC BDCI) is set to host its first annual Conversations for Greatness event, a dynamic networking and pitching forum designed to foster entrepreneurial growth through intensive mentorship and strategic networking. The event will take place on January 23, 2025, at UCC’s main campus in Kingston, offering a platform for entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and potential investors to engage in a transformative one-day experience.

This first staging of Conversations for Greatness will feature an all-day expo, interactive panel discussion and a rigorous pitch competition, curated to empower participants with the skills and connections needed to scale their business ventures. Jonathan Grant, Junior Business Development Officer at UCC BDCI, shared his enthusiasm for the mentorship opportunities at the event. “Mentorship is at the heart of Conversations for Greatness. We have tailored the event to include one-on-one sessions and interactive workshops that not only prepared participants for the pitch competition but also to help foster innovation and entrepreneurial growth,” said Grant. “This structured mentorship continues even after the event, ensuring ongoing support and development for our entrepreneurs”.

The event schedule is as robust as it is engaging:

• Training Workshops: Started in November 2024, as a series of mentor-led webinars that prepared participants for the pitch competition, focusing on refining business models and pitching skills.
• One-on-One Mentorship: From December 2024 to January 2025, entrepreneurs benefited from personalized mentorship sessions aimed at enhancing their business propositions.
• Expo and Pitch Competition: On the day of the event, an expo will showcase local entrepreneurs and artisans, followed by a pitch competition where participants will present their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win significant prizes.
• Networking Mingle: The day will conclude with a networking mingle, providing a relaxed setting for participants to connect with judges, speakers, and fellow entrepreneurs.

Keynote speakers and panelists for Conversations for Greatness include Dr. Kadamawe K'nife, Lecturer with a PHd in Sustainable Development and a MSc in Economics; Michael Andre Collins, Founder/Business Owner, Macollinscorp; Giovanni Maddix, Technical Officer, Intermediary Strengthening Development Bank of Jamaica; Wayne Beecher, Founder, AltCatalyst Venture Studio; and Adrian Dunkley, Founder, StarApple AI. The pitch competition highlights include categories such as Best Overall Pitch and Most Innovative Idea, with total prizes exceeding $400,000.

"Conversations for Greatness is a transformative event that brings together Jamaica's entrepreneurial ecosystem for networking, addressing challenges, sharing solutions, and empowering budding entrepreneurs. Tennille Howell-Hussey, Manager, UCC Business Development Consulting Institute  also added . The event was designed to equip participants with the skills to refine their business models, deliver compelling presentations, attract investment, whilst driving sustainable long-term innovation and success." The event is sponsored by Development Bank of Jamaica, Gutzmore Concepts Limited, First Global Bank, and Dancehall Week Company Limited. 

UCC BDCI invites all aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leaders to join this impactful event. More details on registration and the event schedule can be found on the UCC BDCI website at www.bdci.co.