Business View Caribbean | February 2020

13 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN FEBRUARY 2020 T he 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 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR SPRING 2020 COHORT OF ACCELERATE VI OPENING L INES 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