Primed for Success Volume 3

BrainStreet used the reimbursable 15,000 euro grant to strengthen their virtual education programme and augment itself as a viable company in this sector. “Initially we submitted a request for funding, but we weren’t successful. Caribbean Export then worked with us to strengthen the weak areas of the proposal. Another opportunity came with the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS) in 2011 and this time we had success.” “The assistance provided by Caribbean Export under the DAGS was the jumpstart my business needed going forward on its new trajectory.” Since then, the ITC firm has participated in the Science, Technology and Innovation Caribbean Network in 2011, the Virtual Educa Caribbean Forum in 2012, and the CeBIT Trade Fair in 2014. “We participated in CeBit to gain a better understanding of how that particular event works, and to prepare our business for exhibition at future editions of the tradeshow. Essentially, this gave us an opportunity to see where we stood as a company, and what we needed to do to take our products and services to the next level, as it relates to scaling up on expertise, and standards, among others.” As a member of both the Regional Innovation Advisory Group and the Private Sector Advisory Group, BrainStreet has the opportunity provide first hand expertise and guide the Caribbean Export on the work being done in both areas. Both groups also offer a platform for increased regional collaboration on matters that affect economic growth and social development. In terms of future plans, Lance wants BrainStreet to become a truly regional company with diversification playing a huge role. “In the first phase, we want to be able to work across the region at a price that is competitive, as a part of our overall growth pattern. We have recently opened an animation studio, Animatix Studios, and we want to see this and our other offerings, such virtual education learning, expand to become significant revenue earners for the organisation.” For the company’s virtual education agenda, Lance is exploring new subjects to offer in niche areas, such as Hospitality and English as a Second Language (ESL), with plans to target Brazil for the latter. As it relates to animation, BrainStreet is partnering with one of the regional tertiary institutions to establish an animation school. “To compete on the international stage, we need a number of animators, so the intention is to create a larger skill pool from which to draw to increase the human resources for our business and, in time, make it a successful offshore sector.”

Primed for Success / Vol. 3 / 2014-2015

www.carib-export.com

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