Local entrepreneurs in agriculture, health, climate and other priority sectors are set to gain access to a broader Caribbean network of mentors, funding pathways and business support. According to Antigua.news, the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Business Trust (ABYBT) has been selected as one of 27 organisations chosen to deliver Conecta Caribbean, a regional entrepreneurship initiative spanning fifteen countries.
"Entrepreneurs are essential to building a more resilient and innovative Caribbean," said Jerry Blenman, Executive Chairman of ABYBT. "Through Conecta Caribbean, we have an opportunity to strengthen not only individual businesses, but also the support systems that help entrepreneurs succeed."
The initiative is implemented by Bridge for Billions under the CARIBEquity Facility, and directly targets a long-standing barrier facing entrepreneurs across the region: limited access to mentorship, professional networks and the capital required to transform ideas into sustainable businesses.
CARIBEquity is a blended finance facility funded by the European Union and implemented by IDB Lab. It was designed to close that gap by strengthening both the entrepreneurs themselves and the organisations that support innovation and inclusive growth.
Through the programme, ABYBT will work directly with local entrepreneurs, offering structured business support, access to experienced mentors, practical tools and connections to a growing network of regional ecosystem partners.
The 27 incubation programmes launched under Conecta Caribbean target entrepreneurs across a range of sectors, including agriculture and natural capital, essential infrastructure services, financial inclusion, education and employment, health, climate action and gender-inclusive innovation.
Unlike traditional regional programmes, Conecta Caribbean places local organisations at the centre of delivery. Each participating Entrepreneurship Support Organisation designs and leads its own incubation programme — a model intended to keep support grounded in local realities while contributing to a shared regional vision for innovation, job creation and sustainable development.
Over the coming months, entrepreneurs participating across the 27 programmes will join a growing community of founders, mentors and ecosystem leaders collaborating throughout the Caribbean.
