THE 2024/25 Vincent HoSang University of the West Indies (UWI) Venture Competition exploded with entrepreneurial energy at the finals held at Mona School of Business and Management on January 24, as student innovators unveiled ground-breaking solutions poised to revolutionise the Caribbean. This wasn’t just another business competition — it was a showcase of visionary thinking aimed at transforming regional challenges into opportunities for growth which started in September 2024 with over 100 students from all faculties across The UWI, Mona campus showing interest and seeking support on their entrepreneurial journey.

Faculty of Social Sciences dynamos Tracy-Ann Hyman and Maurice Mason of Artel claimed the competition’s top spot with their revolutionary disaster management system. Their cutting-edge platform integrates flood impact analysis, evacuation protocols, and early warning systems to create a powerful defence against natural disasters. This ground-breaking solution earned them the grand prize of $400,000 and an incredible opportunity — a fully-funded summer journey to New York, complete with exclusive mentorship from Jamaica’s business leaders and a personal tour of Caribbean Food Delight’s operations with the HoSang family.

The brilliant team behind Fresh JA — Somesh Sharma, Roshae Sinclair, Christian Douglas, and Josiah John Green from the Faculty of Science and Technology — captured second place with their innovative approach to agricultural distribution. Their pioneering e-commerce platform, featuring a patentable food-grade freshness testing tool, revolutionises the connection between local farmers and consumers. Their exceptional innovation secured them both the Best Undergraduate Team award and the prestigious JMMB Joan Duncan Corporate Social Responsibility award.

Rounding out the winners’ podium, solopreneur Chad Campbell from the Faculty of Social Sciences clinched third place with CNC Hydroponics, offering a transformative solution for sustainable, year-round agricultural production in Jamaica.

Gold sponsor JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation’s CEO Kim Mair beamed with pride as she highlighted their enduring partnership.

“We’re proud to be a long-standing partner of the Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition, which serves as a launch-pad for future business leaders and the growth of our economy,” she said.

“Our sponsorship reflects our broader corporate social responsibility goals. We are not only practising what we preach but also inspiring our current entrants to weave CSR into the fabric of their business development.”

MSBM lecturer and Vincent HoSang Entrepreneurship board member Ramon McLaren captured the competition’s powerful legacy.

“That seed that was sowed two decades ago flourished into what we have here today where participants have now become mentors as they believe in giving back to the programme,” he said.

This festival of innovation was powered by the Vincent HoSang Family Foundation, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, Development Bank of Jamaica, Mona Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation Centre, Jamaica Business Development Corporation, and Phoenix Fressen.