MIIC Delivers J$3M in Two Prizes at MSME Linkages Day

Kingston, Jamaica — Tuesday, July 15, 2025: Two outstanding Jamaican MSME businesses have secured J$3 million in prizes at the MSME Masters Business Pitch Competition, a sub-event MSME Linkages Day, hosted by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce at the University of Technology Auditorium on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness delivered the keynote address at the event under the theme “Accelerating MSME Wealth Creation through increased Exports, Linkages, Business Development Support and Access to Financing,” served as the culmination of Phases 1 and 2 of the MSME Business Roadshow, a national initiative, in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), that has engaged over 2,000 MSME businesses across Jamaica with direct support, training and funding.

To date, the initiative has awarded a grand total of J$20.6 million in cash prizes to 64 MSME Businesses through pitch competitions, a testament of the Government’s commitment to economic empowerment at the community level. STEM Builders Learning Hub founded and owned by Kavelle Hylton, a pitch winner from the St. Ann Business Roadshow, emerged as the winner of the MSME Masters Business Pitch Competition taking home a cash prize of J$2 million while the runner-up position went to Kiddist Cowan, CEO of Jessie’s Gifts & Décor, who received J$1 million.

Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, said the Pitch Competition is a direct example of the Government’s practical support for micro and small businesses: “Linkages are how small businesses become big businesses. Today’s MSME Linkages Day connects entrepreneurs to the capital, training, services and partnerships they need to grow.”

The Ministry further demonstrated its commitment to MSME business growth by awarding targeted one-off business support during the event. The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) provided J$1,000,000.00 in grant services to fifty MSME businesses, allowing them access to testing, packaging, labelling, nutritional analysis and other vital certification services. The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) also issued J$10,000 vouchers each to twenty MSMEs to support their capacity-building efforts, while the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) awarded scholarships to fifteen MSME Businesses to pursue the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Distance Learning Programme – a key step in strengthening IP literacy for export readiness.

The event highlighted financial empowerment and investment readiness, including a presentation from the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) on the benefits and requirements for MSME businesses to list on the soon to be established Micro Market. The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) also outlined its J$2 billion in funding support to MSMEs and gave further details about their new policy of allowing loan fees to be rolled into the principal – removing a major barrier for small businesses. A panel featuring DBJ, EXIM Bank, and the Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA) highlighted accessible financial products designed to help MSME business grow.

MSMEs were guided on the wide range of export support services available through MIIC and its agencies including JAMPRO, Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), the Trade Board Limited, Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) and others as well as key services offered by international courier providers. These sessions were designed to equip MSMEs with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships necessary to enter new markets and expand their operations globally.

MSME Linkages Day was held in partnership with IDB and sponsored by Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), Heart/NSTA Trust, BSJ, JBDC, JIPO and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).

For more on the Ministry’s MSME programmes and opportunities, visit www.miic.gov.jm.

Source: MIIC