BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (GIS) – Entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Barbados will receive the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to harness the power of smart technologies, in an effort to transform how they operate.
The Barbados Trust Fund Limited (BTFL) will soon introduce the Smart Tech for Innovation (STI Fest) services incubator training programme, an eight-week intensive course tailored for MSMEs.
It will commence on Tuesday, October 14, and conclude on Thursday, December 4. The training sessions will be held at Pelican House, Harbour Road, St Michael, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
During the training, participants will also gain hands-on experience with digital tools, innovative service delivery approaches, and practical strategies to improve productivity, efficiency, and market reach.
Through interactive workshops, mentorship, and applied learning, STI Fest will provide participants with a unique opportunity to align their businesses with modern practices, ensuring that they are better equipped to adapt and thrive in a technology-driven marketplace.
Business development manager at the BTFL, Kirk Dottin, stressed the importance of the initiative, saying it underscores the Fund’s commitment to building resilience, driving innovation, and strengthening the competitiveness of local businesses in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape.
“This training programme also highlights BTFL’s role as the primary funding agency for the MSME sector in Barbados, reinforcing its wider mission of not only providing financial support but also developing the entrepreneurial capacity of businesses across the island,” Dottin added.
Some of the key objectives of STI Fest are:
- Developing a digital mindset among MSME owners and managers.
- Introducing innovative technologies that enhance service delivery.
- Supporting the adoption of technology for improved competitiveness and sustainability.
- Building a pipeline of businesses ready for growth, formalisation, and access to finance.
The BTFL will be offering scholarships for STI Fest, and interested entrepreneurs and MSMEs should call the Fund at 228-3275, email admin@trustloansbb.com, or visit Instagram, @barbadostrustfundltd, or Facebook – Trust Loans Barbados. Registration closes this Thursday, October 9.