The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) are celebrating a major milestone in their partnership: bringing the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator to Jamaica for the first time.

This achievement is significant to the DBJ, whose ongoing mission is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship as drivers of economic growth. Its strategic collaboration with Caribbean Export sees the EU–LAC Digital Accelerator creating structured partnerships between corporations and start-ups across Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

While both parties formalised Jamaican business’ access to the EU-LAC LAC Digital Accelerator in February 2025, for the first time on June 23, 2025, the accelerator hosts an intensive one-day workshop at the Courtyard Marriott in Kingston under the theme: ‘Unlocking Corporate-Startup Venture Opportunities in the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator’.

For Jamaica, its inclusion in the programme will result in increased global engagement and opportunity for the island’s innovation ecosystem. Under the Corporate Venturing Pilot Programme signed between the DBJ’s Boosting Innovation, Growth, and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) programme and Caribbean Export in February 2025, Jamaican start-ups will be eligible to receive grant funding of up to US$50,000 to design and implement technology-driven solutions for real-world corporate challenges. This support will be complemented by up to €30,000 in technical assistance from CEDA’s partner, TECHNALIA, in the form of mentorship, coaching and business development support.

The EU-LAC LAC Digital Accelerator workshop targets both Jamaican corporates and start-ups, aiming to connect their business needs with innovative digital solutions.

Dr David Lowe, the managing director of the DBJ, speaking recently at the EU-LAC Digital Alliance High-level Policy Dialogue with the Caribbean, emphasised the significance of the initiative.

“We are proud to bring the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator to Jamaica through this expanded partnership with Caribbean Export. This isn’t just about funding; this is about igniting a culture of innovation where corporates and start-ups co-create solutions that drive national transformation. With mentorship, grant funding, and access to global partners, we are opening the door to a new era of enterprise,” he stated.

The anticipated outcomes of the initiative include strengthening Jamaica’s innovation ecosystem, encouraging corporations to embrace collaboration with start-ups as a tool for innovation, and enabling Jamaican start-ups to scale their operations and offer services on an international level.

“This is a turning point. We are saying to Jamaican entrepreneurs: “You are world-class, and your ideas deserve a global stage.’ We are also saying to our corporate sector: innovation is no longer optional—it’s a shared responsibility and a competitive advantage,” Dr Lowe stated.