The government has allocated more than J$900 million for the Boosting Innovation, Growth and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (BIGEE) project, which is geared at promoting growth in the business sector.

Launched during the 2025/2026 financial year and funded by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBG), the project aims to support sustainable and robust growth among business start-ups and micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Details of the funding are contained in the 2026/2027 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The allocation will go towards the establishment of a venture capital fund focused on the development of SMEs, and financing of early-stage businesses and other mechanisms to support the sector.

Among the achievements under the project up to the end of December 2025 is the launch of 31 projects financed under the Innovation Grant Fund, as well as 10 patents financed through a Patenting Fund.

In addition, two extension centres were improved, and more than 800 vouchers for extension services were issued.

Under the project, 30 training services and five acceleration centres were strengthened, 252 projects financed, and a Venture Capital Fund for scalable start-ups capitalised.

Also, a sidecar fund to leverage angel investors was capitalised, and three angel investors approved to provide financial support to SMEs.

Other achievements include the strengthening of six incubation centres and financing of 214 incubation-stage start-ups.

In addition, 83 projects were financed through seed capital fund, and 43 women-led start-up projects were awarded for outstanding performance.