Thursday, May 25, 2017 — The OECS Commission is pleased to announce that after five months, and over one hundred applications from young business men and women throughout the region, the top 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs have been chosen.

The selected cohort represent a diverse cross section of industries, including Food and Beverage, Art and Photography, Business, Technology, Agriculture, Sustainable Development, Social Development, Sports, Photography and Entertainment.

OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, commended this initiative that seeks to bolster the creativity of the region’s youth.

 “At the center of this effort is youth development. The youth demographic is among the most disadvantaged segment of the population characterised by unacceptably high rates of unemployment; therefore youth empowerment and entrepreneurship must be a priority if we are to drive the change we all seek.”

“It is the hope that this initiative will provide the support that these young entrepreneurs need to take their businesses to the next level.”

Winners will receive business support from the OECS Competitive Business Unit in the form of mentorship, to aid their professional and business development; technical assistance in sourcing markets; and financial assistance.

Through its Youth Empowerment Strategy (YES), the OECS Commission opened nominations for its inaugural 30 Under 30 in Entrepreneurship initiative in November of 2016 and extended the nominating period until March 31, 2017.

Eligible entrepreneurs had to be 30 years old or younger at the time of nomination, and be a citizen or resident of an OECS Member State. All eligible applications were considered despite business size, years of operation, and business industry.

Details on the official 30 Under 30 Award Ceremony will be shared in the coming weeks.

OECS 30 Under 30 Winners

Name	Country	Industry
Mr. Akeem Edwards	Antigua & Barbuda	Food & Beverage
Mr. Regis Burton	Antigua & Barbuda	Social Business
Mr. Winston Laville	Antigua & Barbuda	Agriculture
Miss Sharie De Castro	British Virgin Islands	Education
Mr. Mitch Jno Charles	Commonwealth of Dominica	Agriculture
Mr. Oudin Samuel	Commonwealth of Dominica	Website Design
Mr. Sherwin Thomas	Commonwealth of Dominica	Entertainment & Media
Mr. Prince F. Thomas	Grenada	Agriculture
Miss Tereika Peters	Grenada	Food & Beverage
Mr. Shakim J. Fortune	Grenada	Food & Beverage
Mr. Jacques Sanquer	Martinique	Consulting
Mr. Sébastien Célestine	Martinique	Culture & Entertainment
Miss Sasha Herbert	St. Kitts & Nevis	Art & Entertainment
Mr. Dijaun Jack	St. Kitts & Nevis	Business & Personal Service
Mr. Janeel Boon	St. Kitts & Nevis	Computers, Communications & Electronics
Mr. Shane Browne	St. Kitts & Nevis	Shopping & Specialty Services
Miss Desi Brown	St. Kitts & Nevis	Creative Enterprise & Business and Personal Services
Mr. Wendel George	St. Lucia	Sports & Recreation
Mr. Larry Shepherd	St. Lucia	Construction & Renovation
Mr. Nyus Alfred	St. Lucia	Sports & Recreation
Mr. Jonathan Theobalds	St. Lucia	Computers, Communications & Electronics
Miss Kenisha Jn Baptiste	St. Lucia	Construction & Renovation
Miss Kandice Delice	St. Lucia	Shopping & Specialty Stores
Mr. Denell Florius	St. Lucia	Public Utilities & Environment
Mr. Randy Lafontaine	St. Lucia	Photography, Automotive & Tourism (respectively)
Mr. Johanan Dujon	St. Lucia	Agriculture
Miss Heidi C. St. Clair	St. Lucia	Child Care Services
Mr. Anton Volney	St. Lucia	Business & Personal Service
Mr. Javid Collins	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Photography
Mr. Jeronnie Richardson	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Messenger & Courier, Online Marketing & Advertising

The OECS Commission extends hearty congratulations to all the winners.