This post discusses Caribbean BETA, a regional tech conference that will be held on Friday, 25 November 2011, in Kingston, Jamaica.

For those of us who have tech start-ups or are trying to launch an ICT business, it can be easy to be fully preoccupied with all the varied matters that must be addressed. Often, you are working longer hours than if you were in someone else’s employ, leaving little time for family, friends, and even sleep. Although it is important to attend to the crises that inevitably arise in your fledgling business, it is also vital to remain connected to the industry.

In many respects, the ICT sector is still developing across the region, hence there are few associations or similar groups in existence through which tech entrepreneurs can network. This absence of a community can lead to some degree of isolation along with missed opportunities.

How does Caribbean BETA fit in?

Caribbean BETA is a one-day regional tech conference focused on growing tech entrepreneurship across the Caribbean, which in turn drives start up businesses, jobs and innovation. It is a spin off of Kingston BETA, a bimonthly event held in Jamaica, where Jamaican and Caribbean tech start-ups, entrepreneurs, developers, bloggers, tech professionals, etc., pitch their business ideas and network. Since its inception in 2007, Kingston BETA has hosted over 45 events, and over 2500 people have attended.

Through Caribbean BETA, a platform is being established to broaden the scope and reach of the assistance that can be offered to tech entrepreneurs across the region. This year’s event promises to be just the start…

In addition to the programme of presentations and discussions that have been scheduled, Caribbean BETA will also:

  • facilitate comprehensive networking with participants from across the Caribbean and the Diaspora
  • include a pitch fest with cash and other prizes at stake
  • provide opportunities to connect with investors, angel and venture capitalists
  • be a launchpad for Startup Weekend Jamaica, the first in the English-speaking Caribbean, which will be held on 27–30 January 2012
  • be a platform to launch a broad range of products, services and new initiatives.

Who will be coming?

Do you remember Flash and Dreamweaver? The keynote speaker will be Marc Canter, one of the founders of Macromedia, the graphics and web development software company that, relatively recently, was acquired by Adobe.  Although the purchase of Macromedia should have left Marc set for life, and able to sit on the beach all day drinking mai tais, he has a new passion: building digital cities.

Also featured on the agenda will be Michelle Messina, Vice-President of International Business Development of Guidewire Group, which

… provides startups, their supporters, and those who do business with them with the tools, data, networks and programs they need to discover, monitor, benchmark, compare, and promote early-stage companies…

These international guests will complement a powerful crop of young tech entrepreneurs from across the region who are making their mark at home and further afield.  For the most part, they will be sharing their experience, for example, how they became successful, along with discussing the various funding options that are available.

What about the pitch fest?

The model for the Caribbean BETA pitch fest is similar to that used for Kingston BETA. Presenters will be given 3 –5 minutes to pitch their ideas, and other 5 minutes to field questions from the audience. However, unlike Kingston BETA, funding and other forms of business support will up for grabs, in addition to bragging rights and a listing in Caribbean’s Top 10 Startups to Watch. More importantly, Angel and Venture Capitalists will be judging the pitch fest, which again provides an invaluable opportunity to sell your business idea not only to a captive audience, but also to those who might be able to provide much needed support. Additional information will be made available at BETA PitchFest Contest.

Parting words…

Caribbean BETA is just under two months away. Its kick-off was done at Kingston BETA last night, 29 September. Be sure to register! An early-bird special is out and lasts until the end of October. This and much more information will be published on CaribbeanBETA.com, and on Facebook and Twitter.

Stay tuned to Caribbean BETA, and see you in Jamaica on 25 November!

_____________