Twenty-two aspiring business leaders have graduated from Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago’s (YBTT) JumpSTART Incubator 2025 Cohort 1, the culmination of a high-impact, 12-week programme that transformed business ideas into actionable, investor-ready ventures.

Supported by bmobile as platinum sponsor, the event underscored the communications solution provider’s commitment to enabling innovation and entrepreneurship as a national growth strategy.
Now in its 14th cohort since 2019, JumpSTART equips early-stage entrepreneurs with critical tools to align personal purpose, customer needs, and long-term sustainability.

Addressing graduates at the TSTT Hospitality Suite at the Queen’s Park Oval, YBTT CEO Shedron Collins reminded the young entrepreneurs that graduation was merely the beginning of their journeys. “The graduation is just really the last paragraph of chapter one. Everybody’s entrepreneurial journey is different,” he said. “If you solve a problem for someone, you have a customer. If you solve a problem for no one, you have a hobby.”

Collins praised bmobile’s sustained, hands-on involvement: “bmobile has been more than a donor, they’ve been a true partner in every sense. Their support goes beyond funding. From specialised training, physical space, and one-on-one time with graduates whose ideas align with their tech focus, they’ve always shown up. That kind of partnership reminds us we’re not doing this work alone.”

TSTT’s Chief Executive Officer (Ag.), Keino Cox, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation-driven national development: “bmobile has been part of the JumpSTART journey from its inception because we believe the next wave of transformation will be led by bold thinkers and problem-solvers. These graduates are not just building businesses; they’re positioning themselves as innovators and disruptors in their fields. At bmobile, we’re proud to invest in platforms that nurture this kind of forward-thinking talent and support a more resilient, future-ready economy.”

Mentorship remains a cornerstone of the programme’s success. Donna-Luisa Eversley, a veteran YBTT mentor, encouraged others in the business community to get involved: “Share your knowledge and your experience with programmes like this. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience.”

Charles Maynard, General Manager of National Enterprises Limited (NEL), urged graduates to harness the power of the ecosystem built around them: “What you have here, the donors, the sponsors, the mentors, that’s a community. And if you tap into that community, you’ll find the fertile conditions to sell your idea, to grow, to scale.” “Be you. You are more than enough. That’s your biggest differentiator — because nobody else is you.”

Graduates also shared their reflections on the programme’s impact. Damian Morean described it as a powerful personal and professional experience. “It was excellent, delivering more than I expected and offering value not just for business, but for life.” Malaika Dedier added: “I expected theoretical tips, but I got so much more, practical support, execution help, and the tools to understand what drives me. This was genuinely life changing.”

The ceremony also honoured seven graduates with cash prizes for outstanding business pitches, along with special awards for standout innovation. As YBTT celebrates 25 years of empowering youth entrepreneurs, the organisation now looks ahead to the next JumpSTART cohort, launching September 2025. With bmobile’s continued partnership, the programme remains a national beacon for innovation, mentorship, and transformation.