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JAM | Jan 24, 2025

STEM Builders Learning Hub grows with J$300,000 grant

/ Our Today

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Laminque Young explores the contents of the STEM Builders Learning Hub Likkle Einstein activity box. (Photo: Contributed)

Fourteen months ago, Kavelle Hylton knew she had a great product — the STEM Builders Learning Kits. The kits were a product from her STEM Builders Learning Hub and a part of her educational enterprise.

Hylton, as a trained science teacher works with “students, teachers and other educational stakeholders to improve access to quality STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] programmes education in the Caribbean” according to the entity’s website.

This year, her outlook for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) has dramatically improved. As one of the business pitch winners at the Ministry of Industry’s MSME Business Roadshow in Ocho Rios in November 2023, her enterprise is growing.

“This experience has significantly shaped our future vision… The prize money from the MSME Business Pitch Competition has been a catalyst for growth at STEM Builders Learning Hub. We were able to launch STEM Builders Entertainment and Events, allowing us to connect with more parents and sell additional STEM kits,” Hylton said.

The CEO and author of ‘Likkle Einsteins: STEM Series‘, said her unexpected challenge over the time was “rapid growth in demand for our new entertainment and events services”.

Kavelle Hylton. (Photo: Contributed)

“The success of our Entertainment and Events department has shown us the potential for engaging STEM experiences that reach children beyond traditional classroom settings. We plan to expand this mobile model and create more STEM events islandwide,” Hylton explained. “Next on our roadmap is to develop a mobile app and to introduce more immersive STEM activities through our events. We’re also focusing on scaling our STEM kit production and distribution to meet the increased demand sparked by our hands-on demonstrations.”

“Winning the pitch competition and the exposure we required us to scale faster than anticipated. However, we were able to use the prize funds ($300,000) to quickly acquire the human resources and necessary equipment to set up a robust brand presence… we stayed agile and prepared for increased interest from schools and parents,” Hylton proudly declared.

More grant opportunities

Jamaica’s ‘business ministry’ hosted the first set of entrepreneurs at its MSME Business Roadshows last Thursday (January 16) at the Twickenham Park Church of the Open Bible in St. Catherine.

The roadshows will also go to JUICI Empowerment Centre in Clarendon on February 20; and St. Elizabeth Technical High School, Santa Cruz, on March 6. Entrepreneurs can register at roadshow.miic.gov.jm to attend the roadshow as well as for two competitions — the Small Business Pitch Competition dispensing a J$400,000 grant to each of five winners; and Micro Business Pitch Competition dispensing a J$200,000 grant to of each five winners.

In partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the MSME Business Roadshows are designed to equip MSME owners with the opportunity for strategic networking, access to financing and digital technological solutions all tailored to strengthen their businesses and increase productivity.

That was definitely true for Hylton.

“The visibility from these events led to unexpected collaborations, with several schools that now regularly invite us for STEM showcases. Competitions like these are an incredible opportunity, but success also depends on how well you follow through afterward,” she said. “Have a clear vision for how the prize money will directly impact your business and prepare to showcase the practical steps you’ll take. In our case, the funding allowed us to launch a whole new business, which we used as a springboard for growth. Staying adaptable and capitalising on new connections made through the competition has also been crucial. For other entrepreneurs, be ready to take risks and embrace unexpected opportunities that arise.”

(Photo: Contributed)

The roadshow’s inaugural staging in 2023 brought the ministry, its partners and sponsors to four locations — Mandeville, Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay — engaging over 1,200 MSMEs and showcasing 155 MSME exhibitors.

During these events, 12 MSMEs excelled in the business pitch competition and benefitted from grant funding totalling J$3.6 million, courtesy of the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ). Ten micro-entrepreneurs benefitted from tailored business development support from the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) to enhance and grow their business operations, including preparing for entry into export markets.

For this phase of the roadshow, entrepreneurs can access support from other government agencies, financial institutions and private sector sponsors, including the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) through its Community Renewal Programme (CRP); Heart/NSTA Trust; Development Bank of Jamaica Limited; Jamaica Broilers Group; Jamalco; Pepsi; and Appliance Traders Limited (ATL).

The event will also feature MIIC’s departments and agencies booths offering valuable insights, services, and guidance. The JBDC will provide concept to implementation support while Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and Trade Board Limited give insights on preparing for international export markets.

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