Residents pitch their business ideas

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15: Bermuda this week joins countries around the world in celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Island entrepreneurs will showcase Bermudian innovation and creativity at a series of events aimed at increasing public awareness.

Today, people can take advantage of online goods at special discounted prices, as Government seeks to publicise island e-commerce.

Jamillah Lodge of the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation (BSBDC) said: “EMonday aims to highlight Bermudian entrepreneurship, as many people don’t realize they can shop online locally rather than overseas.

“You can get anything from shoes, to make-up to clothes online, and if something doesn’t fit, you have the benefit of being able to exchange it locally. You can also save money as opposed to ordering from overseas.”

Mrs. Lodge said: “Most Bermudians are technology savvy but the idea of shopping online is a relatively new one so the Department of E-Commerce is setting a precedence with the launch of e-Monday.

“We hope people will take advantage of the opportunities online.”

Among the companies taking part are the Island Restaurant Group, A S Cooper, Brown & Co., North Rock, Digicel, Hortons, Wine Online, Water Now and Gibbons.

People can find out more at: www.emonday.bm

Also this week, the public can watch the Rocket Pitch Competition and Launch Pad, the latter of which will be broadcast on VSB on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8 pm.

In Rocket Pitch, young Bermudians will compete for prizes of $3,500, $2,500 and $1,500 by delivering a five-minute ‘business pitch’ on their idea. HSBC Bank of Bermuda Ltd. is the sponsor.

There were 16 entrants for the contest and the seven finalists will compete for a prize by presenting their ideas at HSBC’s Harbourview building at 7 pm on Wednesday.

In Launch Pad, three entrepreneurs will sell their business ideas and plans to a panel of investors from HSBC, Butterfield Bank and Capital G.

The finalists were whittled down from seven entrants after a vigorous interview and review of their business plans and funding requirements.

The entrepreneurs have also been mentored by the BSBDC and Government representatives, as well as receiving advice from established Bermudian businessmen and women.

They are: Michael Burke of energy-saving company The Greenhouse Bermuda; Jason Williams of A-B Delivery — a grocery delivery business; and Rene Hill, who knits handmade scarfs and other designs at Emily’s Trading Company.

The three finalists will each receive loans to expand their businesses from one of the three banks.

Launching Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) this morning, Kim Wilson, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, said: “Bermuda’s economic prosperity is founded on entrepreneurial vision, hard work and ingenuity, and this Global Entrepreneurship Week’s activities supports and sustains this important and valuable sector.”

This week, six Bermudian entrepreneurs will also fly to the UK to take part in GEW events in London, courtesy of British Airways.

The six are winners of BA’s Face-2-Face contest, which aims to encourage personal networking overseas in order to expand Bermuda business.

Lucinda Spurling of Afflare Films, the Alexandra Mosher Jewellery Studio, Tom Wadson of Wadson’s Farm, Terry Smith of Clara-Bows Boutique, Lamone Woods of Bermuda Sports Network and Anthony Easton of Anthony’s Formal Menswear, all won return flights to the UK.

There, they will meet with business contacts in their respective industries to forge new opportunities.

The airline partnered with the BSBDC and the Economic Empowerment Zones Agency to offer UK round-trip tickets to coincide with GEW.