Primed for Success Volume 3

“You have to research your partners, your competitors and your market. Those are the primary things you look for. I’m listening to this audio book called ‘Good for You, Great for Me’ and it’s all about negotiation. This is what business is all about, stacking the cards in your favour, but you can’t do this without adequate research.” Curtis gained a deeper appreciation for the value of research in 2012, when his sister company, West Toonz, was chosen to participate in Break Point. The business competition and reality television series, conceptualized by Caribbean Export Development Agency, gave 30 regional entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch their business ideas with the prospect of being one of 12 selected to secure investments in Europe during the finals of the competition. “ It was an interesting experience, as it gave us the leeway to meet and interact with regional investors and leading businesspersons. We didn’t make it to the finals, but there was a clear opportunity there for networking.” Participation in Break Point has also allowed Curtis to strengthen the business perspicuity of his company, as he has been able to secure assistance from Compete Caribbean’s Cluster Fund, which is dedicated to the development of the animation industry in the region. He credits the coaching and pitching sessions of Break Point as having prepared them for the research and insight needed when applying for funding and other technical assistance. Another business opportunity came with Simplified Apps’ participation in the CeBit trade fair in Germany. While there, Curtis met with a firm he describes as a critical strategic partner. “Our relationship with this new German partner could be very beneficial when we begin to expand into Europe, as the connection is vital to the building and enhancing of distribution channels in that market.” Within the coming months, the company’s plan is to raise capital to expand their as well as increase profitability. Curtis also wants to solidify strategic partnerships and close investment rounds with a number of angel investors. “Just recently I met with the Barbados Angel Investment Network, as well as some investors in Canada. So the next set of meetings is with a Latin American investment group so the following months will be quite busy for us.”

Primed for Success / Vol. 3 / 2014-2015

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