Guyanese innovators get cash grants to boost businesses

… with support from USAID and GTT

Innovate Guyana, an initiative of the Guyana Economic Development Trust (GEDT), which supports innovation in science, technology, and agriculture, has announced the 2022 awards for two of its programmes: the Guyana Innovation Prize, and the Economic Development Accelerator (EDA).

The Innovation Prize award is fully funded by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), while the other is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Eastern and Southern Caribbean Mission.
Both programme cohorts began in 2021, and the innovators who signed on received robust training, technical support, and one-on-one coaching. The programmes are intended to help catapult innovative startups and existing businesses forward.
The Guyana Innovation Prize, which commenced in July of last year, saw an abundance of ideas submitted for acceptance to the programme. However, ultimately, three standout innovators advanced to the finals, and have each been awarded a US$10,000 grant to commercialise their breakthrough ideas. This programme has been offered annually since 2018, and is open to all Guyanese in Guyana.
The 2022 Guyana Innovation Prize awardees are Jubilante Cutting of Guyana Animation Network (GAN) and GAN Studios; Vickacy Williams of Aurora Technologies (decorative construction tiles made from plastic waste); and Lisa Dublin of EcoCarb GY (activated carbon to clean drinking water made from coconut waste).
CEO of GTT, Damian Blackburn, reaffirmed the company’s support for innovation in Guyana. He said, “Specific to growth and development in a country is innovation – a key customer promise of GTT to innovate for all in our country.
“As a company, we recognise that innovation goes beyond technology, and it includes skincare, agriculture, solid waste management and pharmaceuticals. I’d like to congratulate GEDT for this initiative, and the innovators for these really great concepts. I look forward to supporting what’s to come for Guyana,” he added.
The Economic Development Accelerator was developed specifically to enhance existing, commercially successful, agriculturally manufactured products by supporting their growth through exports. A total of 43 products was submitted for the programme, which commenced in September 2021. Of that number, 15 agro-processors were shortlisted as finalists for the programme award, offered as a result of support from the USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean Mission. These agro-processors benefited from training, technical assistance, and one-on-one coaching, in collaboration with international partners. Ultimately, 5 agro-processors would each receive a US$30,000 grant to accelerate exports, thereby supporting “Brand Guyana.”
The 2022 Economic Development Accelerator Awardees are Tasmin Pellew of Taz Foods (Cookup-in-a-Cup); Grace Parris of Asdel Foods (Prepared Packaged Pepperpot); Osric Hacker of Blue Ribbon Mfg. (Vanilla Extract); Dianna Plowell of Pleasurable Flavors (Shake N’ Fry Fish and Poultry Coating) and Dwayne Wade of Country Style Foods (Plantain Chips).
Regional Representative for USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Clinton D. White, related that small and growing businesses are the key to a growing economy.
He said that with training and the necessary assistance, Guyanese companies are leading the way in developing a stronger agro-processing sector in the Caribbean region.
“Small and growing businesses are key to Guyana’s economic development. With world-class training and technical assistance provided under this initiative, these outstanding Guyanese companies are leading the way for developing a stronger agro-processing sector in the region,” he said.
CEO of GEDT, Oslene Carrington, congratulated the winners from both programmes, saying, “We Guyanese can succeed at important endeavours right in our home country, while making an impact in the world, with the necessary support and access. This is the mission of the Guyana Economic Development Trust, and our initiative, Innovate Guyana. We are thrilled to congratulate the awardees and all the participants in both programmes, and we look forward to continuing to support them as they shine and help put Guyana on the map with their innovations.”