The best of Cayman’s homegrown technology scene was on display at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort on Saturday, 18 April when Enterprise Cayman’s Business Design Competition saw nine Cayman-based tech startups compete for awards, including the US$10,000 prize for Project of the Year.
The well-attended event, which was filled with key players from Cayman’s tech ecosystem and featured an address from Premier André Ebanks, saw the project founders pitch to a panel of experts. The top prize went to ‘Operator Intelligence Engine’, a real estate tool developed by BRIKS Advisory, a company founded by Goodman Powery.
In addition to the cheque for US$10,000, Powery will also benefit from a showcase event with the Cayman Islands Investment Angel Society, free company incorporation from HSM and a complimentary corporate video by ZEAL.
But a delighted Powery emphasised that the prize money wasn’t the most important benefit. “The biggest thing I have gained is understanding that the product and the brand need to align from the very beginning. That has been very important in my journey – whether it is developing marketing materials or refining the pitch.”
Cayman’s got talent
The Business Design Competition, which was operated by Enterprise Cayman with funding from Cayman Enterprise City, also recognised other businesses. EcoTwin Cayman, a digital sustainable infrastructure platform, which was developed by Carrie Giann Smith Martin and Shevon Campbell, with support from University College of the Cayman Islands professor Eustache Placide, won the People’s Choice Award. The award was determined by a public vote from attendees and the prize was US$2,000.
The Innovation Award was won by P4.com for an ambitious plan to create a decentralised supercomputer made up of a network of modules distributed across homes in Cayman. Founders Natalie Riley, Vincent Ross Lirio and Patrick Kennedy shared a US$2,000 prize sponsored by ZEAL.
Finally, the Community Impact Award was won by Benjamin Bates for Haven – a voice-activated emergency response tool. Bates took home a US$2,000 prize donated by HIGHVERN.
But while the focus might naturally fall on the winners, industry specialists present told the Compass that the most impressive aspect was the wide range of business ideas pitched by all nine finalists.
The five other finalists were: Tiny Tide Interactive, The Home Equity Exchange, Rikus, LetsGo and DAYHIREKY.
“The competition gave us a platform to further validate that this problem is real and the solution is ready,” said DAYHIREKY founder Erika Wilson. “We are just getting started.”
“It’s been such a privilege to work alongside this incredible group of budding entrepreneurs,” said Alyssa Manderson, programme manager at Enterprise Cayman. “In just six short weeks, they’ve grown, pushed boundaries and brought their ideas to life in remarkable ways.”
In his address Premier Ebanks suggested that more support for small business in Cayman would be forthcoming, teasing a future “legislative change” that could unlock further investment.
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