KINGSTON, Jamaica — Entrepreneurs seeking to start, grow and scale their businesses will have an opportunity to pitch for up to $500,000 in grant funding at the Young Entrepreneurs Success Summit (YESS) 2026.

This as the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA) seeks to connect entrepreneurs to the capital, opportunities, knowledge and strategies needed to build successful businesses and remain competitive in both local and international markets.

The summit will take place on November 20, 2026, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

YESS 2026 will bring together some of Jamaica’s most accomplished business leaders, policymakers, heads of government agencies and entrepreneurs, alongside international business leaders, to share insights, explore opportunities and provide practical strategies for business growth and sustainability.

Access to capital has consistently been identified as one of the major challenges facing entrepreneurs as they seek to establish businesses, expand operations and take advantage of emerging opportunities. The $500,000 grant funding opportunity will therefore be a major highlight of the summit.

However, YEA’s approach extends beyond traditional grant funding. Entrepreneurs will also be exposed to alternative financing options, including loan financing through our commercial banking partner, crowdfunding and equity financing through the Jamaica Stock Exchange, as well as sales and procurement opportunities emerging through initiatives such as the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) and the Government’s public procurement set-aside programme.

“Access to capital has consistently been identified as one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs, and we want to help bridge that gap by exposing businesses to different financing opportunities, including grants, loans, crowdfunding and equity financing,” said Cordell Williams, president of YEA, in a release.

“Equally important is connecting entrepreneurs to opportunities to generate consistent and meaningful revenue, whether through emerging opportunities under NaRRA or public procurement. We want businesses to know where the opportunities are and, more importantly, how to position themselves to take advantage of them,” Williams continued.

“But we also want entrepreneurs to understand that money alone does not make a successful business. You need a sound business model, the right structures and systems to drive sales, manage your day-to-day operations and support growth. Access to funding may help you get started or expand, but it is the strength of the business itself that determines whether that growth can be sustained.

“At YEA, we want to help entrepreneurs not only access opportunities, but build businesses that are resilient, competitive and positioned for long-term success. Our ambition is to see Jamaican businesses not only succeed locally, but develop the capacity, resilience and competitiveness to access international markets and sustain their success,” he added.

YESS 2026 will feature an impressive line-up of local and international business and national leaders sharing insights, experiences and strategies to help entrepreneurs build successful business models, generate sales, strengthen operations and position themselves for growth. Entrepreneurs will gain knowledge and practical strategies to help them succeed and remain sustainable in both local and international markets.

Featured leaders include Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill; Jamaican-born Wes Hall, CD, founder and CEO of Kingsdale Advisors, founder and executive chairman of WeShall Investments, chancellor of the University of Toronto and investor on CBC’s Dragons’ Den; Ambassador Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, CEO of NaRRA; Christopher Williams, co-founder of PROVEN Group and CEO of Different Capital; Wayne Chen, president of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation; and Nadia Morris, executive director of the Public Procurement Commission.

The summit will also feature other local and international leaders, heads of government agencies and leading entrepreneurs.

True to its positioning as “Where Big Businesses Begin”, YEA will also showcase some of the successful enterprises emerging from its entrepreneurial network. These include Duane Lue-Fung of TGL, Janelle Pantry-Coke of Spaces and Stephen Spence of SMS Communications Limited. Their journeys demonstrate what is possible when entrepreneurial ambition is supported by the right networks, knowledge and opportunities.

A special feature of the summit will be Success Speaks, an engaging segment in which prominent business leaders share quick, impactful advice, insights and strategies in three minutes or less.

The Success Showcase will also provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity to display their products and services, increase brand visibility, connect with potential customers and explore new business relationships.

Recognising the growing importance of technology in business development, YESS 2026 will integrate artificial intelligence and digital technology into the conference experience. AI and digital solutions will support the crowdfunding experience and elements of the pitching and selection process.

An online showspace will also allow participating entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services to virtual visitors, extending their visibility and potential reach.

The conference will be accessible online, allowing entrepreneurs and business professionals from across Jamaica and the world to participate.

YESS 2026 is supported by a number of key institutions committed to advancing entrepreneurship and business development in Jamaica, including the Companies Office of Jamaica, National Commercial Bank, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and the Jamaica Stock Exchange, among other sponsors and partners.

Through its combination of grant funding, financing opportunities, access to markets, business insights and networking, YESS 2026 seeks to create a meaningful bridge between entrepreneurs and the resources they need to build competitive, resilient and sustainable enterprises capable of succeeding both locally and internationally.

Entrepreneurs, business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and other interested stakeholders are invited to participate. For more information and to register, visit www.yeajamaica.com.