BPTT Presents: The Masters of Industry
While many are already familiar with the popular local TV show Planting Seeds, in which homegrown entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their business plan to a panel of investors, Planting Seeds is in fact only one facet of the multi-pronged Planting Seeds Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
The objective of this Programme is to nurture entrepreneurship in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region by educating, inspiring and supporting up-and-coming Caribbean entrepreneurs.
In support of this goal, Planting Seeds, together with sponsor BPTT, held the inaugural ‘Masters of Industry’ event that was held on 8th November 2016 at the Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain.
With over 700 guests in attendance, including CEOs and top-level management from the nation’s leading companies, and 300 secondary-school students, the dynamic event was designed to be as informative as it was inspiring. Following opening addresses by Planting Seeds Executive Producer Stephanie Pemberton, and Giselle Thompson, Vice-President of Corporate Communications for BPTT, the highlight of ‘Masters of Industry’ was the 75-minute presentation by the host of the event, Daymond John.
John, a U.S.-based entrepreneur, author, and TV personality, is best known as a co-star on the hit ABC series Shark Tank. He has also been awarded Ernst & Young’s NY Entrepreneur of the Year title, and is a Presidential Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship. Importantly, John also boasts Trinidadian roots, giving him a unique insight into the challenges of building Caribbean entrepreneurship.
Drawing on his extensive entrepreneurial experience, John delivered a profoundly informative and pertinent presentation. It is hoped that he will return to Trinidad in the future to continue working with Planting Seeds, as he said he thoroughly enjoyed his trip, and expressed admiration for the Planting Seeds initiative, in particular its efforts to engage the nation’s youth.
Building on the success of the ‘BPTT Masters of Industry’ event, the Planting Seeds team will be keeping up the momentum of its Entrepreneurship Development Programme alongside BPTT with its ‘Junior Masters of Industry’ school tour. During the tour, the Planting Seeds team will be visiting secondary schools across the nation to talk to students about entrepreneurship and the opportunities offered by Planting Seeds. Students will also be invited to submit their business plans for a chance to win a prize and the title of Junior Master of Industry. As with all Planting Seeds’ endeavours, the focus of this tour will be education and inspiration for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
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