Five Bold Entrepreneurs to Compete in Business Pitch Competition at the Men’s Empowerment Project

The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) is proud to announce its upcoming Business Pitch Competition, set to take place on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the CED Conference Room in Kingstown. This exciting event forms part of the Technical Assistance for Men’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (TAMEED) project, and will feature five forward-thinking entrepreneurs vying for critical financial support to take their businesses to the next level.

The competition, which will showcase innovation, social impact, and business readiness, is a key highlight of the TAMEED initiative—a project developed by the CED and funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It aims to support male entrepreneurs by providing them with essential skills and resources for sustainable growth.

Meet the Finalists

Five outstanding participants were selected as finalists from among dozens of applicants. They are:

Eric Clarke – Teric’s Poultry and Meats
(Agribusiness/Poultry and Meat Production)

Jessie DaSouza – Vibie’s Concrete Products and Services
(Construction/Manufacturing)

Hartiem Farrell – Hartiem Farrell Couture
(Fashion and Garment Design)

Rayshorn Richardson – Eknotec Services Ltd.
(ICT and Technical Services)

Ferique Shortte – Union Food Processing
(Agro-processing/Food Manufacturing)


Each entrepreneur will present their business idea or growth plan before a panel of judges, with the top two winners receiving cash grants of XCD $15,000 and XCD $10,000, respectively. The judging criteria include innovation, potential for growth, social and economic impact, and overall feasibility of the business.

About the TAMEED Project

Launched in January 2025, the TAMEED Project was designed to empower men in St. Vincent and the Grenadines through entrepreneurship. The project comprises three main components:

1. Personal and Professional Development
Training modules to improve leadership, communication, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking.


2. Mentorship
One-on-one coaching with experienced business mentors to provide guidance and support.


3. Financial Grants
Grants offered to qualifying participants to scale up or launch their businesses.



Through workshops