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In episode 52 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I speak with Lauri-Ann Ainsworth, CEO of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship on inspiring tech entrepreneurs in the Caribbean Islands.
The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship is Richard Branson’s Caribbean business accelerator that focuses on helping social impact entrepreneurs scale their businesses for the growth of the Caribbean economy at large.
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As CEO, Lauri-Ann champion’s the Branson Centre’s mission “To create dynamic Caribbean entrepreneurs.” Lauri-Ann brings 14 years of people leadership, marketing and project management experience across multiple industries and scale of businesses.
Before assuming the role of CEO, Lauri-Ann served as the Centre’s Director of Development and Communications where she managed a growing portfolio of work in development, partnerships, fundraising and communications.
Prior to joining the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, Lauri-Ann was a member of the leadership team of the tech accelerator StartUp Jamaica and a founding committee member, coach and mentor for the Caribbean Tech Entrepreneurship Programme (CTEP).
She co-founded SupportMe Virtual Business Services, a boutique business support consultancy providing marketing, project management, operations, and other management support services.
She also founded and hosted one of Jamaica’s first virtual summits, The Sales Funnel Summit – a virtual conference, with over thirty (30) of the most brilliant minds in funnel strategies, to help entrepreneurs create profitable businesses.
Branson Centre Caribbean is on a mission to change the prospects of entrepreneurship for good and we need your help to do it.
They’re constantly on the lookout for highly experienced business people to help us nurture the next generation of talented Caribbean entrepreneurs.
As a MENTOR, COACH or PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDER (PSP), you will guide entrepreneurs to help them achieve their goals and realise their potential.
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[00:01] Host (Grant Trahant):
What’s up, everybody? This is Grant from Causeartist. Welcome to another episode of the Disruptors for Good podcast. Today, we’re speaking with Lauri-Ann Ainsworth, the CEO of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, which focuses on supporting tech entrepreneurs in the Caribbean islands.
The centre was started by Richard Branson in 2011 in Kingston, Jamaica, and has grown into an amazing tech accelerator. We’re going to discuss Lauri-Ann’s journey to becoming CEO and the ongoing work the centre does to support dynamic entrepreneurs across the Caribbean.
The centre has trained over 2,100 entrepreneurs and invested more than $1 million into their businesses. As always, if you have questions or comments, reach out to me at grant@causeartist.com.
[02:51] Grant Trahant:
So how I like to start is by asking about your journey—how did you come to be the CEO of the Branson Centre?
[02:51] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
I’m originally from Jamaica, but I studied at the University of Toronto. After returning home, I felt the urge to explore, so I went to South Korea for a year, which was a great experience. When I came back to Jamaica, I started my career in marketing. However, I was always intrigued by entrepreneurship—the idea of creating something and making a living from it. Eventually, I left my corporate job and started my own marketing agency, which led me to work with a tech accelerator in Jamaica. I became deeply involved with coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs, and I was living my passion.
One day, I was at a farmers market, and the CEO of the Branson Centre approached me and said, “We’re moving the centre from Montego Bay to Kingston, and you should come work with me.” That’s how I started working at the Branson Centre. I joined as the development and communications director, and two and a half years later, I became CEO.
[06:09] Grant Trahant:
Can you explain what the Branson Centre was like when it first started and how it has evolved over the years?
[06:41] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
The Branson Centre was founded in 2011 in Montego Bay by Sir Richard Branson to support startup entrepreneurs in the Caribbean. The idea was to help grow the Caribbean’s economy through job creation, driven by new businesses and entrepreneurs. At first, we focused on startups, but in 2018, we shifted our strategy to focus on scale-up entrepreneurs—those who have already gained traction and consistent revenue and are looking to grow further. The Caribbean ecosystem has expanded, and there are now more incubators and development organizations, so we found a gap in supporting scale-up businesses.
[09:35] Grant Trahant:
What industries are driving entrepreneurship in the Caribbean? Are there particular sectors where you see more growth?
[10:15] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
We’re industry-agnostic at the Branson Centre, but we’re seeing a lot of growth in tech and manufacturing. The education space, especially tech-enabled businesses, is also growing. The creative industries are starting to emerge as well, and we’d love to see more of that. The tech sector, in particular, has some exciting developments, although user adoption can take time in the Caribbean. But we’re seeing progress, especially in tech-driven solutions.
[11:55] Grant Trahant:
What are some of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs in the Caribbean face? Are there specific problems that need to be solved?
[12:29] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
Climate change is a major challenge for us, and it affects multiple industries like agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. We’ve launched a blue economy stream to support entrepreneurs focused on climate resilience, particularly those addressing food security and protecting ocean ecosystems. After the devastation caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria, we realized how vulnerable the Caribbean is. We need entrepreneurs who are developing climate-smart solutions to protect our islands.
[14:54] Grant Trahant:
Are entrepreneurs applying to the centre mostly local, or do you also see people from outside the Caribbean who want to help?
[14:54] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
Most of our applicants are from the Caribbean, but we do have a strong global community of mentors who want to support entrepreneurs in the region. During the pandemic, we’ve received even more support from people around the world who are offering their skills and expertise. We’d love to put more of a spotlight on what we’re doing because the work we’re doing here is critical for our region, and more exposure would help us attract even more support.
[17:25] Grant Trahant:
What does the program look like for entrepreneurs once they are accepted into the Branson Centre?
[19:41] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
We accept about 40 entrepreneurs per year, split into two cohorts. The program has three key components. First, there’s the training phase, where they go through our Investment Readiness Bootcamp. This teaches them about accounting, valuations, and pitching their business to investors. Second, they are assigned an advisory board of mentors to guide them and hold them accountable. Finally, they get access to finance opportunities. After completing the program, they pitch to investors from our curated venture group, as well as other angel investors and grant opportunities.
[24:49] Grant Trahant:
What are some cool ideas or success stories that have come out of the Branson Centre?
[25:22] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
One entrepreneur that stands out is Conrad Mathison, who started as a startup and returned to our accelerator as a scale-up. He runs a marketing agency and has employed many university students, providing them with job experience. He has also pivoted into artificial intelligence, helping businesses with chatbots. Another success is Blue Dot Data, a company that uses data analytics to help businesses make better decisions. The founder has secured investment and is doing amazing philanthropic work. We also have a blue economy entrepreneur developing biodegradable plastic that breaks down within six months—an exciting innovation for the Caribbean.
[31:29] Grant Trahant:
How do you manage the program for entrepreneurs from other Caribbean islands? Do they participate virtually?
[32:29] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
Yes, we’ve always had a hybrid model, using technology to connect entrepreneurs across the islands. Entrepreneurs from places like Trinidad, Belize, and Barbados participate in our workshops through video conferencing, and now, the entire program has moved online. They still pitch to investors virtually, and it hasn’t slowed us down. We’ve embraced technology to ensure we can deliver a top-notch program.
[34:53] Grant Trahant:
What’s the state of technology and connectivity across the Caribbean? Has it improved since the centre started?
[35:40] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
Connectivity has definitely improved over the years, but there’s still room for improvement. Some islands have better networks than others, but overall, things are getting better. Initially, we planned to expand physically to other islands, but technology has allowed us to stay in Jamaica while still reaching entrepreneurs across the Caribbean.
[37:03] Grant Trahant:
You mentioned your time in South Korea—what was that experience like?
[37:34] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
I went to South Korea to teach English, mainly because I wanted an adventure. It was a culture shock at first, especially not speaking the language, but I loved it. The food was amazing, and the people were so welcoming. It was great working with children—they’re so honest and curious. The experience really stretched me and helped me grow. I loved exploring the country and learning about the culture.
[40:19] Grant Trahant:
Looking to the future, what are some of the goals for the Branson Centre over the next few years?
[41:21] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
Right now, we’re shifting our focus to resilience and recovery. The pandemic has hit our entrepreneurs hard, and many are losing revenue and laying off employees. Our immediate goal is to help them recover and build resilience, so they can grow again in the future. We’re also looking to expand our impact across the Caribbean, using technology to reach more entrepreneurs in different islands.
[43:29] Grant Trahant:
Is the Jamaican government or private sector offering any support to help businesses recover from the pandemic?
[43:29] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
Yes, the government and private sector have responded well, offering loan holidays, reduced interest rates, and relief packages for businesses. Our entrepreneurs are actively exploring these options, and I hope we continue to see more support as we work through the recovery phase.
[45:33] Grant Trahant:
Thank you so much, Lauri-Ann. I love hearing about entrepreneurship in the Caribbean, and I wish you and the Branson Centre all the best as you continue to support entrepreneurs through these challenging times.
[45:39] Lauri-Ann Ainsworth:
Thank you so much, Grant. It was a great conversation, and I really appreciate it!
