04 Jul YBTT Celebrates 22 New Graduates of JumpSTART Incubator 2025
The spirit of innovation, resilience, and community was on full display as 22 young entrepreneurs proudly graduated from Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago’s (YBTT) JumpSTART Incubator 2025 Cohort 1 on June 30th. The event marked the end of a 12-week business-building journey that began on April 7th, empowering participants to move from rough ideas to actionable ventures.
The JumpSTART incubator, now in its 14th cohort since launching in 2019, offers more than just business tools. It helps early-stage entrepreneurs align their personal identity, customer focus, and financial sustainability. “The graduation is just really the last paragraph of chapter one… Everybody’s entrepreneurial journey is different,” said Shedron Collins, CEO of YBTT, in his closing message. He reminded graduates that success often begins with learning to solve problems for others:
"If you solve a problem for someone, you have a customer. If you solve a problem for no one, you have a hobby."
That real-world, reflective approach is what resonated deeply with Malaika Dedier, one of the cohort’s top graduates.
"JumpSTART was amazingly life-changing, and those are not just nice words,” she shared. “Not only did I get the theory, but we all got the practical application and the opportunity to actually do it... it was really warm and welcoming."
Dedier joined the programme after an OJT Exit workshop and quickly found a space where mentorship and peer support helped her rediscover her “why.”
That emphasis on guidance was echoed by Donna-Luisa Eversley, a longstanding YBTT mentor. “Mentoring and mentorship is a big part of Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago. It is also a key component in the success of entrepreneurs.” She applauded the strength of the mentor team for this cohort and made a call to the wider business community to step forward:
“Share your knowledge and your experience with programmes such as this. It is, from my perspective, a very rewarding experience.”
The value of that community was reinforced by Charles Maynard, General Manager of National Enterprises Limited (NEL), who reminded the graduates that they are now part of something bigger than a training programme.
“What you have here… the donors, the sponsors, the mentors, that’s a community. And if you tap into that community, you are going to find the fertile conditions to sell your idea, to grow, to scale.”
He encouraged authenticity and resilience, urging:
“Be you. You are more than enough. That is the biggest differentiator, because nobody else is you.”
That same belief in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem was shared by Kieno Cox, Assistant Vice President of Emerging Services and Innovation at Bmobile, one of the programme’s platinum donors.
“The ethos of what this programme represents is the best of all of us.” He highlighted that the next big idea doesn’t have to come from Silicon Valley. “It could come from right here in this room, and I truly believe that.”
Adding to the excitement, the event recognized seven graduates for their outstanding business pitches. Each received a $3,000 cash prize, made possible through the support of United Way Trinidad & Tobago. Vouchers from Maritime Financial were also awarded to an additional pitcher. The moment was especially poignant when the announcer said,
“You made me very proud… Congratulations again.” Joshua Mangroo, YBTT’s Training Coordinator, reminded participants that graduation is just the beginning: “We are your tribe. Make use of us... ask us any questions. We're here to provide you with solutions and support.”
As YBTT celebrates 25 years of championing youth entrepreneurship, this graduation adds 22 more voices to its alumni network of over 200. The next JumpSTART cohort begins in September 2025, continuing the mission to turn bold ideas into businesses that solve real problems.