BELIZE, Belmopan – The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), on June 21, 2021 signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust (BNECT), a non-profit organization based in Belmopan, Belize.
This MOA seeks to inspire, connect, encourage and support micro and small entrepreneurs, especially youths, explore their innovative and entrepreneurial potential. It also provides opportunities for them to create innovative products and services that focus on increasing social and business values through access to seed capital.
Under the MOA, BELTRAIDE and BNECT will collaborate to implement “The Dare to Dream Big Program” to provide efficient and seamless service to entrepreneurs and startups through a training program inclusive of business advising and access to seed funding.
Specific objectives:
- Support the participation of 50 entrepreneurs in business development trainings: developing vision and mission statements, business models, marketing and sales, customer service, introduction to financial statements and elevator pitch;
- Provide seed capital grants of a maximum of $BZ10,000, to at least five entrepreneurs to support the growth of their business;
- Systematize the experience by documenting the implementation process and lessons learned;
- Coordinate participation in a two weeks Educo Personal, Business and Global Model Training (EDUCO Program) in The Bahamas for the selected five entrepreneurs who will receive seed capital.
The MOA was signed by Dr Leroy Almendarez, executive director of BELTRAIDE and Albert Garcia, chairman of the BNECT.
The signing was witnessed by Monique Usher, manager of SBDCBelize, BELTRAIDE and Elswyth Patnett, administrator of BNECT.
An open call for application will be launched in early July for interested entrepreneurs.
