The University of the Virgin Island’s (UVI) Research and Technology Park (RTPark) announced recently that applications have now opened for the Spring 2020 cohort of Accelerate VI, a startup accelerator creating a tech-based ecosystem in the Virgin Islands for entrepreneurs to thrive and grow. The program seeks to attract companies within the Territory as well as ambitious entrepreneurs around the world.
Now in its second year, Accelerate VI is designed to further the development and growth of early-stage technology ventures. Seven startups will be selected to participate in a rigorous, 12-week program on Saint Croix starting on April 13. Each participating startup will receive access to capital, in-depth mentoring and training from a community of seasoned and experienced entrepreneurs, complementary workspace, international development resources, and partner perks anchored by a specialized curriculum centered around growing a sustainable business in the Caribbean and beyond.
Accelerate VI applications are open to all persons who are 18 years or older with a technology enabled company. Applicants may only submit one application per cohort and must adhere to the following criteria:
- Are registered or willing to be registered to do business in the US Virgin Islands
- Past idea stage: MVP (Minimum Viable Product), beta or launched
- Have the ability to scale into national/ global markets
- Technology focused company with proprietary software (No Service Providers)
- Raised or received less than $2,000,000 in total investment (e.g., equity, convertible notes, government grants, academic grants)
- Commitment to Accelerate VI programming attendance policy
Startups from the following sectors are strongly encouraged to apply, however all sectors will be considered: Sustainability Solutions and Renewable Energy, Financial Tech, Heath Care/Medical Device Technologies, and Sports Tech.
“Accelerate VI has had such a positive impact on our first cohort of seven startups and has allowed the RTPark to become a leading resource of support for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” says RTPark Executive Director Peter Chapman. “We are excited to welcome more tech-startups to the program and our growing tech hub in the Territory.”
With a goal of generating long-term economic growth on the islands, RTPark was founded in 2002 as an economic development organization operating under a legislative mandate and policy guidance from UVI, the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the Caribbean. Serving as the Territory’s center for technology and knowledge-based businesses, the RTPark empowers companies to integrate and contribute directly to local education, workforce development, and skills enhancement while enabling them to benefit from USVI tax incentives. The 2019 launch of Accelerate VI is just one of the RTPark’s latest initiatives to attract and integrate new businesses into the fabric of the Territory.
“There’s an abundance of talented individuals in and from the Territory who are working on innovative tech and tech-enabled ideas. We want to work with, support and empower these founders with the resources they need to excel,” adds RTPark Director of Business Attraction and Entrepreneurship Eric Sonnier. “Coming off of the success of our inaugural cohort, we are looking forward to growing our community of entrepreneurs and continuing to be a catalyst for Caribbean innovation.”
Startups interested in participating can learn more and apply at http://bit.ly/AccelerateVIsp20. The deadline to apply for the spring cohort is March 8. Interested entrepreneurs can direct questions to Entrepreneurship Associate Amanda Spann at Amanda.Spann@ uvirtpark.net.
