Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre (CCIC) has hand-picked 15 climate-focused entrepreneurs as it kickstarts a new cohort of the ScaleItUp Accelerator.

The announcement of the entrepreneurs came at CCIC’s official launch of the ScaleItUp Accelerator on July 17, 2025. The high-impact, eight-week programme will equip the climate-focused changemakers with the tools, mentorship, and market access needed to scale sustainably.

Within the new cohort are founders representing diverse industries and sectors, and who are leading solutions in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy innovations, and climate-resilient technologies. Being a part of the accelerator programme will allow them to scale their ventures, drive green innovation across Jamaica’s economy, and future-proof the region.

“The overwhelming interest in the CCIC ScaleItUp Accelerator programme is a clear signal that Jamaica is brimming with bold, solutions-driven entrepreneurs ready to lead the charge against climate change,” said Carlinton Burrell, CEO of CCIC.

“This cohort represents the new face of Caribbean innovation, resilient, future-focused, and determined to transform not just Jamaica’s challenges but also the region’s challenges into global opportunities.”

ScaleItUp Accelerator comes at a pivotal time when Jamaica intensifies its push for climate resilience. A recent study, Green Economic Growth Model – supported by the UNDP Multi Country Office in Jamaica and the ILO Caribbean Office – calls on the nation to consider full transition to a green and climate resilient economy modelled on green industries and green-tech, climate-smart and sustainable agriculture and tourism, and renewable energy.

The model projects up to 8,000 new jobs and nearly one per cent growth in GDP.

ScaleItUp Accelerator is the result of a partnership between CCIC and Scientific Research Council (SRC), and backed by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) through its Boosting Innovation Growth & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (BIGEE) programme.

Designed for high-potential entrepreneurs beyond the start-up phase, ScaleItUp will deliver targeted support to help the participants sharpen operations, refine their business models, and become investment-ready. The programme includes four expert trainers and four seasoned mentors from across the Caribbean. It culminates with a Demo Day on September 19, when participants will pitch to investors and compete for an exclusive opportunity: a trip to a European innovation hub in Poland.

“We’ve designed a transformative international experience for the top entrepreneur in this cohort. Their time in Poland will offer valuable exposure, opening doors to global networks, fresh perspectives, and a front-row seat to how climate-smart solutions are being developed and scaled in other parts of the world,” Burrell explained.

Included in this year’s accelerator are: Aaliyah Noble’s Carbon Neutral Initiative, which launched De30 – a next-generation biofuel that blends upgraded alcohols with petroleum to deliver cleaner combustion, lower emissions, and compatibility. Another participant is Gyna Care, an organic pH-monitoring panty liner founded by Glacia Gordon to revolutionise women’s health.

This year’s businesses span robust and innovative sustainable initiatives.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Charah Watson, Executive Director at the SRC, encouraged the entrepreneurs to go beyond self-employment to think of a sustainable future for their business.

“Jamaica cannot build a resilient economy on micro-fragile businesses. We must scale enterprises that can hire, export, compete, and withstand shocks. Programmes like ‘ScaleItUp’ are essential to building that future, where innovation is market-driven, globally minded, and structurally supported,” she noted

Christopher Brown, Programme Manager for BIGEE at the DBJ, added: “There is growing interest from outside of the island, in entrepreneurs and solutions from Jamaica that can scale regionally and internationally, and we expect the Scale it Up accelerator programme to assist with building businesses to seize those opportunities.”

As part of the commitment to growth, Burrell noted that the CCIC vision is clear: to equip Caribbean entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and access they need to scale globally while solving real-world climate challenges at home.

“The future belongs to innovators,” said Burrell. “And the CCIC is proud to be the platform that empowers them to lead.”