TECH Beach Retreat (TBR) is expanding its footprint to the US Virgin Islands (USVI) as it moves to broaden its ecosystem and tap into new markets. This strategic move aims to connect Caribbean tech entrepreneurs and provide greater access to resources.

TBR has built a reputation for facilitating meaningful connections and “selling handshakes” for businesses across the region. By expanding into the USVI the organisation seeks to create a more extensive network, fostering collaboration and growth among tech innovators.

“Our expansion is about broadening the community, our reach, and access to resources. We aim to create greater opportunities for our existing community and those who will join us in the future,” said Kirk-Anthony Hamilton, founder of The Infiniti Partnership, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

The first TBR USVI event is scheduled for June 19–21, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s expansion plans. Hamilton, co-founder of Tech Beach Retreat (TBR) alongside business partner Kyle Maloney from Trinidad, shed light on a significant gap in regional business connections. Currently, Jamaicans, Barbadians and Trinidadians are not considering St Thomas, a constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), as a viable destination for business opportunities. In an interview with Caribbean Business Report, Hamilton revealed that this lack of consideration is reciprocal, with other territories not necessarily looking to Jamaica for opportunities either. To bridge this gap Hamilton was invited by Research and Technology Park (RTPark), a public-private partnership entity, to support their efforts in showcasing the USVI as a hub for innovation, business domicile, and residence. The ultimate goal is to position USVI as a strategic intersection for the Caribbean and North America, facilitating meaningful connections and collaboration.

Tech Beach Retreat is a global community of tech entrepreneurs, investors, influencers, enthusiasts, and innovators who gather to share knowledge, resources, and opportunities. The retreat features world-class keynote speakers, panel discussions, fireside chats, workshops, and nightlife and live entertainment. Notably, Tech Beach Retreat has established partnerships with prominent global tech companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon, which do not have a physical presence in the Caribbean. The event has also attracted renowned business leaders such as Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and Square; Jeff Pulver, founder of Vonage; and John Oringer, founder of Shutterstock. These individuals are part of the global luminary class, with billionaire statuses and executive roles at companies like Google and Amazon. Moreover, Tech Beach Retreat has secured significant financial partnerships with these organisations.

“We have created an open space, with access for all, where we deliberately avoid restricting anyone despite the high calibre of individuals we have managed to attract. We place people in rooms where there are minimal barriers to connecting with those around them,” Hamilton shared.

He explained that the aim is to bring in big global business icons but not to surround them with security and barriers that would prevent a Jamaican in the room, who may not be operating at that level, from approaching and shaking hands, having a conversation, and sharing their ideas or receiving feedback. The same applies to people coming into the Caribbean.

“[For instance], people like Larren from Blue Dot, Gordon Swaby from EduFocal, the team from One Great Studio, and Kadeen Mairs from Dequity participate in our events,” he added.

Tech Beach Retreat’s (TBR) footprint already spans the region, having hosted summits in Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, and Bermuda. Additionally, they have done activations in parts of Colombia, Toronto, New York, and San Francisco, and have a flagship conference presented by Google in Miami. The next TBR in Jamaica is scheduled for Montego Bay, December 5-7, 2024.