Annual Competition Launches September 25, 2024, with
Strong Partner Support
The University of the West Indies (UWI Mona) is proud to announce the upcoming launch of the
2024 Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the
Mona School of Business and Management North, UWI Mona Campus. This prestigious event
continues to be a beacon of innovation and fostering of entrepreneurship, engaging over 100
students annually from diverse faculties.
The competition's success is bolstered by the unwavering support of key partners like Caribbean
Food Delights (CFD) through their philanthropic organization, the Vincent HoSang Family
Foundation (VHFF). Over the years, it has also benefited from the support of several local
partners, including the Development Bank of Jamaica, Regus, The Jamaica Civil Aviation
Authority, Baymac and the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation.
Alongside local partners, industry personnel and active entrepreneurs support the competition by
committing to be mentors to students, judges, and boot camp presenters. Some of the boot camps
conducted include Business Plan and Business Model Writing, Capital Structure and Venture
Financing, and Corporate Social Responsibility, which is facilitated by the JMMB Joan Duncan
Foundation.
The JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation offers a special prize to students whose businesses
demonstrate strong CSR elements, emphasizing core values such as Love, Integrity, and Care. .
Their collective commitment to fostering corporate social responsibility (CSR) among young
entrepreneurs aligns perfectly with the competition's goals. This initiative not only enriches the
competition but also prepares students for the ethical challenges of the business world
The 2023/24 competition saw the triumph of Sim's Seasonings/Sim's All-Purpose Pimento
Liquid, led by Ms. Shanya Francis, a Human Resource Management major at Mona School of
Business and Management. Francis' innovative liquid pimento seasoning addressed a common
culinary challenge, showcasing the practical problem-solving skills the competition nurtures.
Reflecting on her experience, Francis stated, "As the most recent beneficiary of the Vincent
HoSang UWI Venture Competition, I can confidently say it was a transformative learning
experience from start to finish. The post-competition support and communication is exceptional.
The mentorship program, in particular, proved invaluable, and I attribute a significant part of my
success to the guidance and expertise of my mentor."
Join us at the launch event on September 25, 2024, to learn more about partnership opportunities
and to witness first-hand the incredible talent and potential of our student entrepreneurs.
For more information on partnership opportunities or to RSVP for the launch event, please
contact uwivc.vhep@uwimona.edu.jm or call 876-357-7503.
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About the UWI Vincent HoSang Venture Competition: Since its inception, the competition has
been a cornerstone of entrepreneurial development at the University of the West Indies, engaging
students from all faculties in the journey from concept to commercially viable business. With the
support of partners like the Vincent HoSang Family Foundation and the JMMB Joan Duncan
Foundation, the competition continues to shape the future of Caribbean business leadership.