The Founder Institute, the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Jamaica 2025 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Jamaica's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Jamaica 2025 Founder Institute today.
Since 2009, our highly-structured accelerator programs have helped entrepreneurs at the earliest stages grow quickly, know what to do next, and make connections with the largest community of startup advisors.
It all starts with our renowned ‘FI Core’ accelerator, which pushes founders at the idea and pre-seed stages to reach the milestones needed for investment and sustained growth. Alumni of FI Core then receive free access to our advanced ‘Founder Lab’ accelerators for years to come, and can get matched with prospective investors in the FI Venture Network, a collection of global funds actively investing in the earliest rounds of funding.
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Jamaica, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
- Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, Founder Institute): 1:00pm, Dec 30, 2024 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/360206
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- How to Go from 0 to 1: Scaling and Exiting Your Startup with Mark Balovnev: 1:00pm, Jan 06, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/363204
- Startup Funding AMA & Founder Institute Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, Founder Institute): 8:00pm, Jan 07, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/360308
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Technical Co-Founder: 1:00pm, Jan 08, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/361587
- Startup to Scale-Up: Mastering Sales & Branding with Mark Kosoglow: 1:00pm, Jan 13, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/360968
- How to Build, Fundraise, and Exit Your Startup: AMA with Tim Grassin: 5:00am, Jan 15, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/363384
- What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 8:00pm, Jan 22, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/361812
- How to Align Your Brand Messaging with Your Startup Mission: 1:00pm, Jan 27, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/363002
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 1:00pm, Jan 29, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/363486
- Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Trasition to Startup Founder : 8:00pm, Feb 03, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/363640
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Feb 05, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/363839
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00pm, Feb 10, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/364113
- Investor Valuation Basics: How to Assess Your Startup’s Worth with Neil Shah: 8:00pm, Feb 24, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/364527
- Startup Fundraising Q&A: Meet Investors from the FI Venture Network: 1:00pm, Feb 27, 2025 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/364275
The Jamaica program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Dominique Ferguson (Administrative Manager, AltCatalyst), FI Jamaica, Michael Gordon (Chief Innovation Officer, University Of The Commonwealth Caribbean Limited), Taneallea Feddis (Founder/ Managing Director, BlackWall Consultants), Tennille Howell Hussey (CEO JANJEE, Founder, Director, UCC Business Development & Consulting Institute), Wayne Beecher (Chief Executive Officer, Founder, AltCatalyst).
In addition, some of Jamaica's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Jamaica Founder Institute includes:
- Almando Cox: Founding CEO, ResolveIT Limited
- Althea West Myers: Director, Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development
- Andrea Livingston Prince: Chief Project Manager, Business Works Collective
- Andrea Wray
- Arlene Williams: VP Personal and Business Banking, First Global Bank Limited
- Barrington Graham
- Beverly Hinds
- Bianca Welds: Founder, L'Attitude Studios
- Carey Wallace: Executive Director, Tourism Enhancement Fund
- Cavelle Johnston: Proprietor, The Law Office of Cavelle Johnston
- Chad Cunningham: Managing Director, Deal Ventures
- Cheryll Stewart: Managing Director , GEN Jamaica
- Christopher Reckord: Chief Executive Officer, tTech Limited
- Christopher Brown: Lead Project Manager, Development Bank of Jamaica
- Collin Turner
- Damani Thomas, Carbon Neutral Initiative
- Dave Cameron: Co-Founder & Director , Caribbean Virtual Hospitality Institute
- David Mc Bean: Executive Director, UWI Mona School of Business & Management
- David Mullings: Senior Managing Partner, Blue Mahoe Partners
- David Simpson: Managing Director, Ashalon Capital
- Demetrie Adams: Partner, Tavares Finson Adams
- Deron Wilson
- Dmitri Dawkins: Chief Executive Officer, Graft Ventures
- Don Samoil: Managing Partner, Trusted Scale
- Donovan Robertson: Co-Founder, CCSI Group - Community Capital Social Investment Group
- Elise Crooks: CEO, BlueCode Limited
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Cofounder , Vitamin C&S Coaching
- Garth Thompson
- Gary Mckenzie: Pitch Coach, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean.
- Gordon Foote: Director of Business Development, bSmarte
- Grace Cowan Allen
- Gregory Lawrence: Principal, Banyan Consultants
- Harold Davis: Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC)
- Heneka Watkis Porter: Author/TV Host/Podcast Coach/Producer, The Entrepreneurial You
- Herbert Hall: Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Capital Partners Limited
- Hon. Edmund Bartlett: Minister of Tourism, Jamaica
- Hopeton Nicholson: Business Development Manager, Exim Bank
- Ian Hemming
- Ishenkumba Kahwa: Professor, University of the West Indies, Mona
- Jamie Lee Williams
- Janordo Patterson: Business Banking Executive, First Global Bank
- Jason Clarke: CEO, Optimum Trading Limited
- Jermaine Henry: CEO/Co-Founder, FlowFacto
- Joelle Smith, The Hub Coworking Jamaica
- Joshua Alphonse
- Julian Robinson: Member of Parliament , Government of Jamaica
- Kadeem Smith: CEO, https://vasttrips.com/
- Kerrie-Ann Vassall-Richards: Founder, Business Growth Rocket
- Khary Sharpe: CEO & Founder, BAKARI DIGITAL LABS Limited
- Kiesha Harriot Harvey: Ms, Harriott-Harvey
- Kyle Lewis: Co-Founder, eZeePayments.com
- Larkland Morley: Cloud Infrastructure Strategy, Google
- Lastarda Lee
- Lilyclaire Bellamy: Executive Director, Jamaica Intellectual Property Office
- Marcelle Smart: Manager of Consulting Services, tTech Limited
- Mark Tracey, J.P.: Co-Owner, First In Line Entertainment
- Marlene Street Forrest: Managing Director, Jamaica Stock Exchange
- Melissa Powell: Founder & CEO | Co - Founder, COO & Co-host, Pocmi, Inc. | InvestHuman LLC
- Michael Gordon: Chief Innovation Officer, University Of The Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) Lim
- Michael Gordon: CEO, Fintechlab
- Michele Marius: Founder, Project Calls
- Moniphia Hewling: Independent Consultant, eMRock Online
- Monique Powell: Founder/CEO, QuickPlate
- Nadine Campbell: Founder, ACE Entrepreneurs
- Paul Chin: Investor Relationships Manager, Development Bank of Jamaica Limited
- Pauline Nelson: Communications Specialist, Development Bank of Jamaica Limited
- Racheal Callaghan: Digital Strategist/Managing Director, Start Social Ltd
- Raquel Seville: CEO, BI Brainz Caribbean
- Reginald Nugent: Chief Financial Officer, Transcel Inc
- Rezworth Burchenson: Chief Executive Officer, VM Wealth Management
- Rhonda Dookwah
- Richard Kildare: CEO, Graphene Rock Capital
- Richard Thelwell: Chief Executive Officer, Richwell Funding
- Romario Sterling: Assistant Manager, VM Wealth Management
- Roxette Miranda: Chief Executive Officer, 305 Works
- Sathara Hendrickson: Chief Executive Officer, Hustle 2 Brand
- Sergy DED
- Shani Duncan Falconer: Lead Consultant and CEO STF Consulting , SME Consultant- JMMB
- Sharleen Clarke Curah: Motivational speaker, HR Management DTI
- Sheena Taylor
- Stacey Ann Wilson: Co-Founder/CEO, JunkSion X Labs
- Stephen Barnes: Cofounder, One on One Educational Services
- Talisa Taylor
- Taneallea Feddis: Co-Director Jamaica, Founder Institute
- Tanisha Davis
- Tashaine Morrison
- Tennille Howell Hussey: Director, BDCI
- Theo Smith
- Tyrone Wilson: Founder & CEO, eMedia Interactive Group Limited
- Ugo Ikemba: Founder, Mscale LLC
- Wayne Beecher: Co-Director Jamaica, Founder Institute
- Winston Wilkins: CEO, StartupRobot
- Winston Delahaye
- Zachary Harding: CEO, Delta Capital Partners
- Zhan Li: Vice President, Jamaica Actus SME Fund (JASMEF, www.jasmef.com)
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Jamaica to build a great company in 2025.
Apply to the Jamaica 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
