WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — A business enterprise from Barbados is the lone Caribbean company selected from 18 start-ups in various enterprises in Latin America and the Caribbean selected to participate in a one-of-a-kind conference that will highlight innovation and entrepreneurship that improves lives.

The Washington-based Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) said that “COUPLE SIX” from Barbados will participate in the event scheduled for October 19 at the Wolfson campus of the Miami Dade College, which is collaborating with the bank in hosting the event.

The IDB said that the representatives of the18 start-ups in design, fashion, gastronomy, music and multimedia will link up with “some of the world’s most creative minds to discuss, inspire, and share innovative solutions to tackle development challenges, specifically through the creative and cultural industries”.

It said that the companies selected will travel to Miami to participate in Demand Solutions’ pitch competition, where they will present their projects to the audience and a judging panel to compete for prizes. The founders will also take part in two days of activities with innovators, mentors, entrepreneurs and investors, organised by MentorDay.

“Though it is the fifth time IDB has organized a start-ups competition, for the first time, most CEOs participating will be women, reflecting a rising number of female entrepreneurs and the IDB’s effort to encourage applications from women founders,” the IDB added.