The entrepreneurial landscape in the Caribbean is entering a new chapter with the launch of Phase II of the RevUP Caribbean Incubation Programme. This next leg, a joint effort between the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and RevUP Caribbean Limited, is designed to push regional start-ups beyond survival mode and into sustained growth.
Moving from Idea to Impact
The programme, spanning the next two years, will work with at least 60 emerging businesses. Unlike one-off training sessions, RevUP offers a layered support system: structured business development workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and tailored technology support. More importantly, it opens the door to financing options that many entrepreneurs in the region struggle to access.
Lisa Harding, CDB’s private sector division chief, described the initiative as more than an incubator. “We’re aligning growth with resilience,” she said, highlighting the bank’s mission to strengthen small enterprises, drive innovation, and ensure equitable access to capital across the region.
Climate-Smart and Borderless Growth
Phase II brings new partnerships into play. The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) will help businesses design with sustainability in mind, while the Caribbean Export Development Agency will prepare firms to compete in global markets. Beyond the region, collaborations with European incubators via the EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Initiative promise to give Caribbean founders a foothold on the international stage.
Investor access remains central. With networks like FirstAngels Caribbean continuing their involvement, start-ups will gain more visibility with angel investors, banks, and venture capitalists looking for high-potential ventures.
Building Resilient Enterprises
At its core, RevUP Caribbean is about creating businesses that can withstand shocks and scale sustainably. Its pillars—training, mentorship, access to capital, and networking—remain intact, but Phase II sharpens the focus on export readiness and climate-smart innovation.
High-potential pipelines are being developed for women-led and green ventures, while tailored training will prepare founders for investor scrutiny and operational scale. The mentorship pool is also expanding to include voices from international markets, providing start-ups with the kind of global perspective often out of reach in the region.
The Bigger Picture
Four years since its inception, RevUP has established itself as more than a support programme—it’s becoming a regional launchpad. With Phase II, the initiative aims not only to create jobs but to set the foundation for globally competitive Caribbean enterprises.
As RevUP Caribbean’s chairman, Harry “Tomi” Davies, put it: “This phase is about transformation. With our partners, we’re preparing entrepreneurs not just to survive but to lead in sustainable and inclusive growth across the region.”
