NEDCO ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK 2023

A 3-DAY HYBRID CONFERENCE FOR ENTREPRENEURS

"Unlocking the Innovative Mindset"

The National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited (NEDCO) launched a new annual event called NEDCO Entrepreneurship Week 2022 (NEW 2022) to commemorate our 20th anniversary on August 2nd 2022. NEW 2022 was a resounding success with over six thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven (6877) entrepreneurs participating over the four (4) day virtual conference. NEDCO will continue to build on last year’s success by hosting our second annual NEDCO Entrepreneurship Week 2023 (NEW 2023), a Three (3) Day Hybrid Conference for Entrepreneurs, from Wednesday 2nd to Friday 4th August 2023 at the Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna.

Objectives

Target Market

Agenda

Keynote Presentations and Conference Speakers

Registration Forms

Enquiries

Registrations

Main Conference

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE TICKET
$600.00 (CLOSED)

Main Conference

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE TICKET
FREE

Youth Conference

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE TICKET
FREE

Entrepreneurship Village

VENDOR REGISTRATION
CLOSED | Trinidad
CLOSED | Tobago

nedco Main Conference

August 2nd to August 3rd, 2023
Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna
9:00AM to 4:00PM

NEDCO YOUTH CONFERENCE

August 4th, 2023
Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna
9:00AM to 2:00PM

NEDCO Entrepreneurship Village

August 2nd to 4th, 2023
Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna

August 4th 2023
Lowlands Mall, Tobago
9:00AM to 7:00PM (both venues)

OVERVIEW

The NEW 2023 theme, ‘Unlocking The Innovative Mindset’, will delve deeply into start-up and digitization topics; address the need for continued innovation in this post-pandemic environment; explore contemporary and emerging entrepreneurial issues; and focus on female entrepreneurship, in an engaging and fun-filled environment..

The NEW 2023 Hybrid Conference will again have a strong focus on our youth. NEDCO Youth Day, the final day, will be dedicated to our nation’s youth to encourage entrepreneurship as a career option.

A NEDCO Entrepreneurship Village or Market will also be hosted over the three (3) days at the Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna, as well as at Lowlands Mall in Tobago on Friday 4th August 2023. The NEDCO Entrepreneurship Village will provide tangible support in the form of immediate income to our local entrepreneurs. Though small in size, micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are the backbone of our economy with seventy percent (70%) to eighty-five percent (85%) of all business activity in Trinidad and Tobago being conducted by enterprises employing less than twenty-five (25) persons. The NEW 2023 Hybrid Conference will continue to provide support to our national entrepreneurs by hosting several educational and solution-oriented events, while highlighting some of their successes.

OBJECTIVES

NEW 2023 | Hybrid Conference Objectives

To help drive the entrepreneurial development, sustainability and competitiveness of the micro and small enterprise (MSE) sector.

To encourage the creation of new start-ups and provide the critical support needed during this delicate phase of new business.

To encourage and support the growth and expansion of existing MSEs, including into new areas of exports.

To plant the seed of entrepreneurship among our youth members of society and encourage self-employment as a viable career choice.

To educate at least one hundred and fifty (150) Form 5 and Form 6 students from fifteen (15) schools on entrepreneurship as a career option.

To provide real solutions to our local entrepreneurs which would address the common challenges that entrepreneurs face along the start-up life cycle.

Target Market

NEW 2023 | Hybrid Conference Target Market

1

Aspiring entrepreneurs, including the unemployed and persons considering a career change

2

Youth entrepreneurs

3

Form 5 and 6 secondary school students

4

Female entrepreneurs

5

Underserved communities

6

Entrepreneurial niche markets

7

Persons seeking to grow their start-ups or commence exports

8

The local MSE sector

9

Members of the wider public

AGENDA

Click to download the NEW 2023 Conference Agenda.

DOWNLOAD AGENDA

Day 1: Wednesday, 2nd August 2023

Theme: Leveraging The Potential of Your Small Business

Time	item/speaker	details
9:00am to 9:05am	Welcome from Trinidad Conference Host
9:05am to 9:10am	Opening Remarks NEDCO Chief Executive Officer
9:10am to 9:20am	Opening Address Minister of Youth Development and National Service
9:20am to 9:45am	Keynote Presentation: Unlocking The Innovative Mindset
9:45am to 9.55am	Q&A
9:55am to 10:05am	Sponsor’s Remarks
10:05am to 11:05am	Presentation: Embracing Creativity To Reap Success	This session will help participants to develop innovative business ideas and take them through the next steps required to start their business, as well as emerging start-up trends and innovative practices.
11:05am to 11:15am	Break
11:15am to 12:15pm	Masterclass: Discover. Engage. Deliver	Help your business stand out from the competition with the right products and learn how to move your customers to purchase.
12:15pm to 1:15pm	Lunch Break
1:15pm to 2:15pm	Panel Discussion: A.I. and Immersive Customer Experiences	Customers crave experience above all else…from 1st contact to post-purchase. This discussion will take you through new innovative practices to delight your customers and build loyalty for repeat sales.
2:15pm to 2:25pm	Sponsor’s Remarks
2:25pm to 3:35pm	Masterclass: FREE Online Tools to Start Your Business	Small business ecommerce continues to grow. This session will take you through various digital marketing practices to grow your small business’ presence online.
3:25pm to 3:35pm	Break
3:35pm to 4:35pm	Presentation: Data Breaches: Cyber Security for MSEs	As entrepreneurs become more mobile, online security takes precedence. This session will review security solutions for small businesses.

NEDCO Financial Advisory Centre
(9:00am to 4:00pm)
Meet with our experienced financial and business advisors, as well as NEDCO clients from different sectors, to learn how you too can successfully start and grow your company.

NEDCO Entrepreneurship Village – Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna
(9:00am to 7:00pm)
NEDCO, Sponsor and Corporate Booths, as well as NEDCO Clients, Youth Entrepreneurs and other Local MSEs.

Day 2: Thursday, 3rd August 2023

Theme: Easy Steps To Starting Your Business

Time	item/speaker	details
9:00am to 9:05am	Welcome Conference Host
9:05am to 9:30am	Keynote Presentation
9:30am to 9:40am	Q&A
9:40am to 9:50am	Sponsor’s Remarks
9:50am to 10:50am	Presentation: Queens of Commerce	This exciting session will bring together successful women entrepreneurs to share their ideas and experiences in starting and growing businesses that stand out and are sustainable.
10:50am to 11:00am	Break
11:00am to 12:00pm	Masterclass: Sustainability in Business - Walk D' Talk	This session will bring together sustainability consultants who will discuss modern and emerging recycling and waste management practices for small businesses.
12:00pm to 1:00pm	Lunch Break
1:00pm to 2:00pm	Panel Discussion: Start Smart, Stay Strong - Jumpstart Your Dream Business	This session will discuss the importance of the various legal, financial and statutory requirements for small business start-up and growth.
2:00pm to 2:10pm	Sponsor’s Remarks
2:10pm to 3:10pm	Presentation: Dollars and Dreams - Innovative Approaches to Financing for MSEs	This session will take participants through the different financing options available to MSEs for healthy cash flow management and long term planning for growth and sustainability.
3:10pm to 3:20pm	Break
3:20pm to 4:20pm	Masterclass: Connecting the Links - Navigating the World of Exports	This session will provide the participating entrepreneurs with assistance to source and ship raw materials from foreign countries, as well as explore the world of exports.

NEDCO Entrepreneurship Village – Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna
(9:00am to 7:00pm)
NEDCO, Sponsor and Corporate Booths, as well as NEDCO Clients, Youth Entrepreneurs and other Local MSEs.

Day 3: Friday, 4th August 2023

Theme: Developing Skills for Youth Entrepreneurship

Time	item/speaker	details
9:00am to 9:05am	Welcome from Tobago Conference Host
9:05am to 9:10am	Opening Remarks NEDCO Chief Executive Officer
9:10am to 9:30am	Keynote Presentation
9:30am to 9:40am	Q&A
9:40am to 12:00pm	Youth Advisory Clinic – The N.E.W. Edition	A series of professionally produced videos and live, interactive events on entrepreneurship as a career option for our youth. This will create an avenue of awareness, education and address the challenges of starting a business for young upcoming and inquisitive entrepreneurs. Youth entrepreneurs will also be given the opportunity to call in or live chat with a business advisor on start-up and business ownership topics during the event.
12:00pm to 1:00pm	Lunch Break
1:00pm to 2:00pm	Panel Discussion: Emerging Opportunities For Youth Entrepreneurs	This discussion will explore the potential economic and trade sectors for youth Entrepreneurship in Tobago.
2:00pm to 3:00pm	Close of NEW 2023	Live Entertainment by Youth Performers and DJs/VJs

NEDCO Entrepreneurship Village – Centre of Excellence, Tunapuna
(9:00am to 7:00pm)
NEDCO, Sponsor and Corporate Booths, as well as NEDCO Clients, Youth Entrepreneurs and other Local MSEs.

NEDCO Entrepreneurship Village – Lowlands Mall, Tobago
(9:00am to 7:00pm)
NEDCO, Sponsor and Corporate Booths, as well as NEDCO Clients, Youth Entrepreneurs and other Local MSEs.

Meet Our Speakers

Kimberly De Souza

Television Presenter and Host of TTT’s The Now Morning Show

Main Conference Host

Wednesday 2nd & Thursday 3rd August, 2023

Jerome “Rome” Precilla

Television / Radio Personality

Youth Conference Host

Friday 4th August 2023

Anthony Chow Lin On

Managing Director, Trinidad and Tobago Radio Network

Main Conference Keynote Speaker (Day 1)

Unlocking The Innovative Mindset

Rudy Rampersad

Vice President of Regional Initiatives, RAMPS Logistics Limited

Main Conference Keynote Speaker (Day 2)

The Importance of Technology and Logistics in Enabling Small Business

Stephanie Pemberton

Chief Executive Officer, Planting Seeds

Youth Conference Keynote Speaker

Starting Your Own Business – Let’s Discuss

Kyle Maloney

Co-Founder, TechBeach Retreat

Presenter

Embracing Creativity To Reap Success

Derrick Lewis

Founder and Creative Director, EventologyTT

Presenter

Embracing Creativity To Reap Success

Roger Roach

Chief Executive Officer, Lazari Apparel Limited

Presenter

Masterclass: Discover. Engage. Deliver.

Shivani Seunarine

Senior Administrator, Facilities Unit, UWI Open Campus

Presenter

Masterclass: Discover. Engage. Deliver.

Learie Hercules

Chief Executive Officer, Heft IQ

Presenter

A.I. and Immersive Customer Experiences

Carla Cupid

Chief Executive Officer, Trinidad Tourism Limited

Presenter

A.I. and Immersive Customer Experiences

Nicholas Dopwell

Senior Regional Representative, Google LLC

Presenter

Free Online Tools To Start Your Business

Omar Romero

Chief Executive Officer, ROSE IT Services Limited

Presenter

Free Online Tools To Start Your Business

Amoy Van Lowe

Strategic Consultant

Presenter

Women of Commerce

Charlene Pedro

Leadership Trainer and International Speaker

Presenter

Women of Commerce

Lauren Peters

Managing Director, Nuance Solar and Winner - NEDCO Green Entrepreneur Award

Presenter

Women of Commerce

Julian Henry

Entrepreneurship Unit Consultant, UWI, St Augustine

Presenter

Master Class: Sustainability In Business – Walk D’ Talk

Dareem Jeffery

Owner, EcoWash TT

Presenter

Master Class: Sustainability In Business – Walk D’ Talk

Luke Pounder

Environmental Scientist, Microbes Alive

Presenter

Master Class: Sustainability In Business – Walk D’ Talk

Karen Carraballo

Chief Entrepreneurship Development Officer, NEDCO

Presenter

Panel: Start Smart, Stay Strong – Jumpstart Your Dream Business

Dawn Nelson

Vice President, Financial Sector Transformation, Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Centre

Presenter

Panel: Start Smart, Stay Strong – Jumpstart Your Dream Business

Daren Sookoo

Managing Director, Adjuctiva Corporate Solutions Ltd

Presenter

Panel: Start Smart, Stay Strong – Jumpstart Your Dream Business

Darnel Francois

Chief Executive Officer, Draper Startup House

Presenter

Presentation: Dollars and Dreams Innovative Approaches To Financing For MSEs

Anil Seepaul

NEDCO Business Manager, South Office

Presenter

Presentation: Dollars and Dreams Innovative Approaches To Financing For MSEs

Michelle Low Chew Tung

Managing Director, INVENI Business and Technology Ltd

Presenter

Masterclass: Connecting The Links - Navigating The World Of Exports

Gabriel Williams

Mentor, Entrepreneurship Development

Youth Conference Presenter

NEDCO Youth Advisory

Sophia Spence

Legal Consultant and Corporate Educator - SME Development

Youth Conference Presenter

NEDCO Youth Advisory

Anthony and June-Ann Henry

Co-Founders of A&J's Premium Homemade Ice Cream

Youth Conference Presenter

NEDCO Youth Advisory

KINESHA SYLVESTER

Founder, the Fresh Press Factory

Youth Conference Presenter

NEDCO Youth Advisory

Assemblyman Terance Baynes

Secretary for Community Development, Youth Development and Sport

Youth Conference Presenter

Panel Discussion: Emerging Opportunities For Youth Entrepreneurs

Jacqueline Adams

Regional Manager, YTEPP, Tobago

Youth Conference Presenter

Panel Discussion: Emerging Opportunities For Youth Entrepreneurs

Alana Alleyne

Certified Financial Education Instructor

Youth Conference Presenter

Panel Discussion: Emerging Opportunities For Youth Entrepreneurs

Registrations

Main Conference

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE TICKET
$600.00 (CLOSED)

Main Conference

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE TICKET
FREE

Youth Conference

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE TICKET
FREE

Entrepreneurship Village

VENDOR REGISTRATION
CLOSED | Trinidad
CLOSED | Tobago

For further information about NEDCO Entrepreneurship Week 2023 (NEW 2023), please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 821-5800.

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Entrepreneurial Training

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NEDCO ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK 2023

Objectives

Target Market

Agenda

Keynote Presentations and Conference Speakers

Sponsors

Registration Forms

Enquiries

Registrations

nedco Main Conference

NEDCO YOUTH CONFERENCE

NEDCO Entrepreneurship Village

OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVES

Target Market

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

AGENDA

Click to download the NEW 2023 Conference Agenda.

Day 1: Wednesday, 2nd August 2023

Theme: Leveraging The Potential of Your Small Business

Day 2: Thursday, 3rd August 2023

Theme: Easy Steps To Starting Your Business

Day 3: Friday, 4th August 2023

Theme: Developing Skills for Youth Entrepreneurship

Meet Our Speakers

Kimberly De Souza

Jerome “Rome” Precilla

Anthony Chow Lin On

Rudy Rampersad

Stephanie Pemberton

Kyle Maloney

Derrick Lewis

Roger Roach

Shivani Seunarine

Learie Hercules

Carla Cupid

Nicholas Dopwell

Omar Romero

Sponsored by Bmobile Business

Amoy Van Lowe

Charlene Pedro

Lauren Peters

Julian Henry

Dareem Jeffery

Luke Pounder

Karen Carraballo

Dawn Nelson

Daren Sookoo

Darnel Francois

Anil Seepaul

Michelle Low Chew Tung

Gabriel Williams

Sophia Spence

Anthony and June-Ann Henry

KINESHA SYLVESTER

Assemblyman Terance Baynes

Jacqueline Adams

Alana Alleyne

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silver sPONSORS

bronze sponsorS

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