A powerful new collaboration between the Mona Entrepreneurial and Commercialisation Centre (MECC) and the Women Entrepreneurs Network of the Caribbean (WENC) is setting a new standard for how women-led enterprises across the region are supported, scaled, and positioned for global success.

Launched during Women’s History Month, the MECC–WENC Project for Women-led Enterprises brings together participants from Jamaica and the diaspora in a bold, capacity-building programme designed to strengthen innovation, resilience, and global competitiveness among women entrepreneurs. 

At its core, the initiative seeks to move beyond traditional business support by equipping women with the tools, mindset, and networks required to thrive in increasingly complex and competitive markets. Through a comprehensive curriculum that includes business model development, financial management, artificial intelligence, branding, and pitch preparation, participants are guided through a structured journey from concept to scalable enterprise. 

Driving this initiative is Dr. Sharon M. Smith, Director of MECC, whose leadership continues to reshape the entrepreneurial landscape in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

“This collaboration represents more than a programme, it is a platform for transformation,” said Dr. Smith. “We are intentionally building capacity, confidence, and global readiness in women entrepreneurs so they can lead, innovate, and compete beyond borders. When women are equipped and empowered, the impact extends far beyond individual businesses to families, communities, and the wider economy.” 

Under her leadership, MECC has evolved into a dynamic social enterprise focused on supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women and youth. The Centre has helped entrepreneurs secure more than US$2.7 million in awards, grants, and investment, reflecting a strong track record of turning ideas into viable, growth-oriented businesses. 

The collaboration with WENC marks a significant milestone, bringing together regional expertise and a shared commitment to advancing women in business. The programme’s emphasis on value-added production, innovation, and global participation aligns with broader development priorities and positions participants to access new markets and opportunities.

Ethnie Miller Simpson, the President of WENC and a respected advocate for women’s economic empowerment, emphasised the importance of the initiative in unlocking the region’s full potential.

“This initiative is about shifting the narrative for women in business across the Caribbean,” she noted. “It is about ensuring that women are not only participating in the economy, but are leading, scaling, and competing globally. When we invest in women-led enterprises, we are investing in stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient economies.”

The programme is powered by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), with continued in-kind support from The University of the West Indies, Mona, reinforcing a strong ecosystem of institutional backing to drive sustainable enterprise development.

Beyond the programme itself, the initiative reflects Dr. Smith’s longstanding commitment to equity, social justice, and economic empowerment. Her work spans mentorship, policy advocacy, and international engagement, consistently championing opportunities for women, youth, and vulnerable communities to thrive.

By integrating structured assessments, targeted training, and access to regional and global networks, the MECC–WENC Project is designed not only to strengthen individual businesses but to catalyse systemic change in how women-led enterprises are developed and supported.

As the programme unfolds, it is expected to cultivate a new generation of women entrepreneurs who are not only equipped to succeed locally but are positioned to compete and lead on the global stage.

In doing so, it signals a powerful shift, one where Caribbean women are not just building businesses, but shaping the future of enterprise across the region and beyond.