LINK-Caribbean Magazine

LINK CARIBBEAN

Pitching to Angel Investors

Pitching, whether in person or online has been the

Pitching a business idea is a key for any business whether that’s to a financial institution, a potential investor and of course to sell the product or service. Pitching, whether in person or online has been the main method for selecting Caribbean companies to be awarded funds under the LINK-Caribbean Programme. Following the launch of the LINK-Caribbean programme in September 2016 the first pitch session was held at Caribbean Export offices in Barbados. Seven (7) early stage companies out of 134 applicants were invited to pitch their businesses to a panel of investors. These companies covered range of sectors and included CarePoint and Caribbean Transit Solutions from Barbados; Bluedot Media, Sweetie Confectionary and Innovative Menu Solutions from Jamaica; SystemIZ and Dingole from Trinidad and Tobago. Out of the pitches six of the companies were awarded an investment readiness grant of $25,000 USD as they demonstrated the strong company management and business promise that investors look for but needed to improve certain aspects to make them

more attractive to an investor. The panel of judges were able to provide advice and direction on how to make their business investment ready, and with the cash injection of $25,000 USD, the companies set out a plan to become investment ready! Throughout the life of the LINK-Caribbean programme 19 applications for investment 14 companies have received investment readiness grants totaling $350,000 USD readiness grants, were assessed by the review committee and a total of fourteen companies have been awarded one of these grants.

main method for selecting Caribbean companies to be awarded funds under the LINK- Caribbean Programme.

This makes a total of

in grant funds has been awarded to Caribbean firms. $913,901 USD