Small, micro businesses ready for JSIF Virtual Entrepreneurship Expo

Kingston, Jamaica – New and upcoming entrepreneurs are to receive advice and guidance on best practices to grow and strengthen their businesses in 2021 at the free, live-streamed event hosted by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), through the European Union (EU) funded Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) IV.  This one-of-a-kind event – dubbed The Virtual Entrepreneurship Expo 2021 – is supported by the Flow Foundation and is in keeping with the primary objectives of JSIF and the EU’s commitment to promote sustainable growth and development among Jamaican entrepreneurs.  

The Virtual Entrepreneurship Expo takes micro and small business owners into a deep-dive of common challenges faced by entrepreneurs, especially those navigating through the business environment that has been created by the current pandemic. Business owners can look forward to setting new goals to accelerate their businesses by tuning in on January 19 – 21st at 6pm via www.JSIFExpo.org and on YouTube.

Under the theme, “Perseverance During these Challenging Times”, JSIF’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Expo will feature a combination of TEDEx style talks and various interactive panel discussions with some of Jamaica’s foremost business leaders.  Of particular focus throughout all the presentations, top of mind is some of the challenges entrepreneurs have and will be facing in the Covid-19 environment, along with recommendations on how to pivot in these challenging circumstances.

According to Stephen Price, Chairman of the Flow Foundation, “As a long-standing strategic partner in Jamaica’s development, we are proud to be on board for this expo which is well aligned with our Foundation’s focus of driving digital education and supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).  The expo is being staged at a critical time and is an excellent opportunity for our entrepreneurs as well as others interested in starting their own businesses to grasp fundamental and strategic concepts that will help them on their journey.  We are happy to support the JSIF with this venture, and also to provide the technology that will take this transformational event to entrepreneurs in Jamaica and the wider region.”

Recognizing the importance of community-based social intervention programmes as a key driver of youth development and overall well-being, this joint JSIF/EU programme seeks to provide an opportunity to highlight 30 targeted community-based enterprises and social enterprises on their various programmes and products.  The Expo will also provide training and digital engagement opportunities aimed at enhancing, expanding and improving these invaluable organization in their business efforts. 

By way of a 3D Virtual Tour, viewers will have an opportunity to explore the service offerings of these social enterprises and community business organizations. Patrons will also learn how they can show their support for these organizations while also taking the opportunity to gain the same insights given by various industry leaders.

“Jamaica’s innovative spirit is alive and full of potential among our youth. In order to see more positive outcomes for our country overall, more must be done to enhance the natural talents our young people already possess, especially those in underserved communities. Instilling an appreciation for responsible business practices is an important step,” explained Celia Dillon, PRP Project Manager at the JSIF. 

Dillion continued, “As challenges increase, the need to improve policies and programmes to create an enabling environment for Jamaica’s youth to prosper becomes more urgent. The JSIF has always been keen on building projects that empower and educate. We believe that the Virtual Entrepreneurship Expo is a necessary vehicle to set the focus of our country’s young minds as they take on 2021 and beyond.”

Since 2014, the JSIF, under the European Union’s PRP IV initiative, has sought to implement programmes that empower residents of volatile communities to achieve their fullest potential and contribute to the attainment of a secure, cohesive and just Jamaican society.  

For further information, please contact: Carlette DeLeon at 876-383-9768

Scroll to Top