13 La Brea start-ups and entrepreneurs have been awarded approximately $300,000 in prizes as part of the La Brea Economic Development Day’s Business Pitch Competition.

The competition provided an opportunity for entrepreneurs to hone their skills and demonstrate a critical understanding of their impact, targeted markets, and scalable strategies.

The award on July 10th was made by the La Brea Committee on Sustainable Community Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Sport and Community Development, the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited, and National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited.

They say money will enable the businesses to start or expand their ventures, thereby fostering economic growth and innovation in alignment with the needs of the La Brea community.

Businesses competing in the Business Pitch Competition were chosen via a call for submissions.

Out of the numerous ideas, 17 entrepreneurs were selected and underwent two days of intensive training by NEDCO.
On July 5th, the day of the actual Business Pitch Competition, the entrepreneurs pitched their ideas in the categories of Environment/Sustainable Ecosystems/Technology, Food & Agriculture, Light Manufacturing, Tourism, and Youth Entrepreneurship to a panel of judges consisting of Dareem Jeffrey, Global Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Owner/Managing Director of EcoWash; Carla Cupid, Tourism Specialist and Communications Manager of the Ministry of Sport and Community Development; Joey Rivers, renowned Music Educator, Producer and Guitarist, Mary-Lou Chung and other private sector leaders and investors.

The winners of the La Brea Business Pitch Competition in the most outstanding category received $50,000 each, the second-place winners $20,000 each, and third place $10,000 each.

The awardees were:

Environment/Sustainable Ecosystems/Technology:

• Most Outstanding – Reiann Phillip, Green Poly Innovations
• 2nd Prize – Bryan Francis, Fitness and Nutrition Cubicles
• 3rd Prize – Ms. Carlene Thomas, Level Up Health and Fitness
• Consolation Prize – Ms. Arlene Stewart, Alloo Home-style Gourmet Cuisine

Food & Agriculture:

• Most Outstanding – Shemilla Dickson, Thymeless Harvest Farmstead

Light Manufacturing:

• Most Outstanding: Jamie Thorpe, 5Kings Milk Products
• 2nd Prize – Denzel Lamotte, Cari Pure
• 3rd Prize – Tineka Francois, Francois Patois
• Consolation Prize – Kintay Trim, Sky Juice Coconut Water

Tourism:

• Consolation Prize – Narissa Boodram & Kyrese Boodram, Natural Food Growers and Services

Youth Entrepreneurship:

• Most Outstanding – Shimone Anthony, Shimmerlicious Pizza
• 2nd Prize – Bertille Hunte of Bertille Hunte Vocal Studio
• 3rd prize – Asher Bain, LA Designs

Featured Photo: Dan Martineau, Director, National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago congratulates the Business Pitch Competition’s Most Outstanding winner in the Environment/Sustainable Ecosystems/Technology category Reiann Phillip of Green Poly Innovations.