LAUNCH YOUR IDEA FASTER

The Cayman Islands Business Design Competition

Do you have a creative business idea or exciting side hustle that you've been dreaming of getting off the ground? It’s time to turn that vision into reality.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Now Closed for 2021
(Competition details for 2022 to be announced!)

About The Competition

We're inviting all problem solvers, big thinkers and go-getters, like you, to take part in the Cayman Islands Business Design Competition. We're providing a platform where innovators can connect and offering a welcoming business environment that fosters innovation — a place where individuals, local businesses, and global ventures can thrive!

This year, successful applicants took part in training sessions and workshops based on Design Sprint exercises. Competitors then had one month to streamline their project and work with professional project advisors before presenting their final project to a panel of judges at the end of March 2021.

2021 Competition Finalists

BizHub a carwash hub by Danner Taylor Nelson, Valery Davis Alvarez, and Kirk Douglas • Caribbean Images a visual content platform by Greyshell Bent and Antoleen Williams • Cay Delivery a delivery system by Samekia Stewart and Latoiya Webb • Cayman Marine Life Guide an eco-conscious marine guide by Morgan McCartney • Cayman Transfer a transportation platform by Ian Goddard, Prashik Zodge, and Dhruv Serena • De Pet Chaperone an app for pet owners by Alicia Turner and Abigail Turner • Kizen Law a legal services platform by Tricia McDoom • RecordKeep a finance product by Clement Lai and Vladimir Shubert • The Cayman Software Factory a software development company by Desmond Harris, and Emilio Ceroleni • Z Academy an educational project by Ryan Zhu

Competition Winners

Community Impact

Ryan Zhu from Z Academy
For a business design that makes a difference in the community.

Winners of USD $2,000 sponsored by eShore Ltd., and a complimentary marketing support pack from Massive Media.

Kirk Douglas, Valery Davis, Danner Taylor Nelson, BizHub

Project of the Year

Kirk Douglas, Valery Davis, and Danner Taylor Nelson from BizHub
For a business design that shines above and beyond competition expectations.

Winners of USD $10,000 sponsored by CEC, a promotional video valued at CI $2,000 from Silver Palm Studios, complimentary incorporation of their company from HSM, as well as a complimentary marketing support pack from Massive Media.

Creativity Award

Tricia McDoom from Kizen Law
For a business design that is inspiring, new or unconventional.

Winners of USD $2,000 sponsored by Analytico SEZC and a complimentary marketing support pack from Massive Media.

Competition
Instructors & Advisors

Paul Keane

Competition Advisor & Prototyping Instructor, UX Designer, Harmonic Fund Services

Althea West-Myers

Competition Instructor, Director, The Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development

JP Le Roux

Financial Planning Master Session Instructor, Financial Controller, Cayman Enterprise City

Candace Westby

Intellectual Property Instructor, Head of Intellectual Property, Cayman Islands Government

Ramona Tudorancea

Raising Capital Instructor & Project Advisor, Founder and Managing Director, JB Advisory Services SEZC

Mike Ferrier

The Reality of Business Ethics Instructor, Professor/Business Professional

Charlie Kirkconnell

Setting-up your Cayman Islands Business Instructor, CEO, Cayman Enterprise City

Nick Joseph

Setting-up your Cayman Islands Business Instructor, Partner, HSM Law

Tanya Wigmore

Going to Market Instructor, Founder & Chief Growth Officer, CRO:NYX SEZC

Rich Dyer

Market Research Instructor, Co-Founder, Massive Media

Jewel Donohue

Public Speaking Instructor, Actress & Creative Executive, Solaris Entertainment

Ivan Eubanks

Public Speaking Instructor & Competition Videographer, Interim Dean of Business & Finance at The University College of the Cayman Islands

Ben Taylor

Design Thinking (Online Session), Innovation and IP strategist, Co-Founder Adapt Strategy

Ben Little

Design Thinking (Online Session), Design Strategy & Product Development, Co-Founder Adapt Strategy

Jan Gupta

Project Advisor, Entrepreneur

Paul Sodimu

Project Advisor, Senior Software Engineer at Maples Group

Matt Vaughan

Project Advisor, Venture Advisor/Investor, Managing Director, FetchTech SEZC

Joshua Hecht

Project Advisor, Digital Assets and Programmable Finance, Block.one

Bartosz Mozyrko

Project Advisor, Senior Product Manager at GoDaddy

Laurentiu Gruia

Project Advisor, Manager, Product Development at EightPoint Technologies Ltd. SEZC

Adam Lambert

Project Advisor, Managing Director at Zimtra Asset Management SEZC

Allan Evans

Project Advisor, CEO Fat Shark SEZC

Marco Aniballi

Project Advisor, Executive, Board Member and Advisor

Kaitlyn Elphinstone

Competition Director, VP Marketing & Public Engagement Cayman Enterprise City

Business Design Competition Cayman Enterprise City

Competition Timeline

14 January 2021, 5:30pm-7:00pm - Design Thinking "Tech Talks".
Watch the discussion online here.
22 January 2021, 12:00 pm-1:00pm - Online Info Session.
31 January 2021, 5:00pm - Application Deadline
10 February 2021 - 10 Finalists Announced
15 February - 26 March 2021 - Teams meet for breakout session with their project advisor(s) to help prep for the "Pitch & Test Day"
27-28 February 2021, 10:00am-5:00pm - Design Weekend! Competitors take part in a series of business-focused workshops including prototyping, business ethics, market research, raising capital, and more.
22 March 2021, 11:30am - Tech Rehearsal & Public Speaking Workshop
27 March 2021, 10:00am-12:00pm - Pitch & Test Day. Think "Cayman Islands Shark Tank". All are welcome to attend!
Event Details here.
27 March 2021, 6:00pm - Awards Dinner & Social Event

Cayman Enterprise City Business Design Competition

Why take part?

Launch your idea faster

Access professional support networks

Meet like-minded entrepreneurs

Develop your public profile & public speaking skills

Learn new things & discover new opportunities

What type of project can I enter?

Competitors can apply by entering a new product idea, a new service, or new feature that they wish to market. Participants can enter as teams or as individuals.

You might already have an existing business and your team is considering launching a new product, OR you might have an idea for a brand new business.

How much does it cost to enter?

Thanks to the generous support from Cayman Enterprise City, the Cayman Islands Business Design Competition is 100% FREE to apply! This year, 10 successful projects and finalists will be invited to participate in the 2021 competition.

What can you win?

The grand prize for the 'Project of the Year' is USD $10,000!! Trophies will also be awarded for the 'Community Impact' award as well as the 'Creativity Award'. Winners will also receive one year complimentary membership to the Enterprise Cayman "Maker Space".

What do participants have to say?

"The Design Weekend was amazing. Very informative, 4 years of college packed in one weekend, loved it!"

"I felt supported an well guided throughout the entrepreneurship crash course."

"I loved the "buzz" of enthusiasm in the room. The diversity of finalists, across different ages, ethnic origin, gender, backgrounds, etc., helped make us feel that we really belonged in the room, which encouraged such wonderful participation and interactivity. Thank you."

Who is eligible to apply?

Residents of the Cayman Islands Individuals who are over 18 years old. Participants may compete as individuals or as teams.

To take part you will need:

A laptop and/or Android/iOS device
Internet access
Pens, pencils and erasers
A notebook or paper