KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant entrepreneurial initiative has been launched in St. Thomas through a collaborative partnership between the Flow Foundation and Young Women and Men of Purpose. The $5 million Jamaican dollar REAP Entrepreneurship Programme represents a substantial investment in local small business development.
The program was formally inaugurated on January 7th at Golden Shore Resort in Lyssons, Morant Bay, with operations scheduled from December 2025 through May 2026. This six-month intensive initiative will provide comprehensive business training to 30 selected emerging entrepreneurs from the region.
Curriculum design addresses critical business development needs with modules covering entrepreneurship fundamentals, business owner wellness practices, small business accounting systems, marketing strategies, and investment pitch preparation. The program structure combines classroom instruction with practical mentorship opportunities, including business field trips and conference participation.
Lanisia Rhoden, Executive Director of Young Women and Men of Purpose, explained the program’s conception: “We developed REAP specifically to overcome the structural challenges facing new entrepreneurs, particularly the need for guided support during business formation stages.”
Additional technical support will be provided through collaboration with Vision 2030 Jamaica agents operating under the Planning Institute of Jamaica. Participant Kayan Douglas, owner of Kadres Designs, noted the practical applicability of the curriculum, particularly for brand development and customer engagement strategies.
A competitive element will see the top ten business pitches receive $100,000 JMD each in seed funding to stimulate business expansion and innovation. Rhys Campbell, Executive Director of both Liberty Caribbean Foundation and Flow Foundation, emphasized the program’s broader economic significance: “This reflects our commitment to small businesses that serve as engines for economic activity and community development throughout Jamaica.”