-winner of Guyana’s first Hacakathon to share life story

WITH a passion for entrepreneurship and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), a group of budding entrepreneurs have taken up the challenge of creating a start-up community in Guyana.

It all started when Start-up Grind, the largest independent start-up community actively educating, inspiring and connecting 1,000,000 entrepreneurs in over 200 cities, appointed Hilary Benjamin-Byer as its Guyanese Director in February 2017 after a rigorous process.

The international organization nurtures start-up ecosystems in 98 countries through events, media and partnerships with organizations like Google for Entrepreneurs. In an effort to strengthen its networks across borders and simultaneously provide assistance to budding entrepreneurs, monthly events featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share lessons learned on the road to building great companies, are held.

For Benjamin-Byer, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Engineer who hails from Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Start-up Grind provides the ideal opportunity for him to fulfill his dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur – offering comprehensive solutions through ICT, while building a support ecosystem for entrepreneurs that will foster networking and professional development.

“These stimulating events which are required by Start-up Grind will allow us to create a start-up community right here in Guyana. A community in which potential and young entrepreneurs could be nurtured, a community that will allow for entrepreneurs to network and a community that will attract investors to invest in start-up businesses not only in ICT, but in all fields,” he said.

Quoting Abraham Lincoln, the 23-year-old University of Guyana graduate said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” As such he will be making his dream a reality when the first of many Start-up Grind fireside chats is held here in Guyana. It will allow local entrepreneurs to network while building on each other’s experience.

“During these stimulating sessions, entrepreneurs and even potential entrepreneurs will share their experiences, talking not only about their successes but their failures as well. You see many people don’t like to speak about failures, but when we fail we have an opportunity to internalize, analyze and come up with life- changing solutions,” Benjamin-Byer posited.

But to achieve his dream, the 23-year-old cannot do it alone. As such, he has managed to secure the support of budding entrepreneurs like himself with a similar passion for ICT.

Rosanna Ferreira and Yogvika Arjune, both of whom are ICT Engineers (Ast.) are now part of Start-up Grind, Georgetown in addition to Nevin Johnson, a Programmer Analyst.

“Start-up Grind is one of the largest globally Independent start-up communities and supported by Google for entrepreneurs, so naturally being a part of the Startup Grind Georgetown team is a great privilege,” Ferreira said in an exclusive interview with Guyana Chronicle.

As the Research & Assistant Co-coordinator, the 25-year-old is ever so often gathering and disseminating materials to help empower entrepreneurs.

“As the key research person of the team and a Start-up Grind ambassador I am constantly looking for Start-up Grind materials to help empower my team members as fellow ambassadors and to help create awareness among other fellow entrepreneurs in my community,” she posited.

Since becoming a member of Start-up Grind Georgetown, Ferreira successfully opened her own business.

“When I first joined the team at Start-up Grind Georgetown, I did not even understand the term entrepreneur. I am now the proud owner of business startup Cupcakes and Unique Delights. I am constantly looking at tips on becoming a better business owner, enjoying the compliments for my work and even encouraging others to become entrepreneurs like myself.”
Johnson shared similar sentiments, noting that through Start-up Grind Georgetown, he will be able to make a difference.

“I love making a difference and being positive, whether in the life of others or by what I do professionally. My ultimate goal is to lead from the middle, influencing those who are above, below and adjacent,” he said.

As the Team Coordinator, he oversees the processes and details how the chapter will achieve its goals and objectives.

The inaugural event – fireside chat with Eldon Marks
Like Johnson and Ferreira, Arjune, who is the Operations Director, is overwhelmed to be a part of Start-up Grind Georgetown. Arjune said through the local chapter, Start-up Grind will engage the Founder of Version75 and Co-founder of WeOwn Space, Eldon Marks in an interview before a live audience on Wednesday March 22, 2017. Version75 is the winner of Guyana’s first Hacakathon.

“Marks, a social entrepreneur, software developer, educator and dreamer, is no stranger to Guyana. For 12 years, he lectured and mentored students at the Department of Computer Science at the University of Guyana,” she said.

It was explained that during the ground breaking event, Marks, who holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Howard University, will chronicle his life’s experiences as an entrepreneur. Additionally, Marks is expected to talk about how ICT is changing the way people do business.

The event will also create an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to network. As such, the event is expected to attract more than 40 budding entrepreneurs and investors from across the country.

It will be held at WeOwn Space conference Centre in South Ruimveldt from 18:30hrs. The entry fee is GY$1,500 and tickets can be bought on the night of the event or online via www.startupgrind.com/georgetown.

In an effort to make this and future events successful, Arjune said the local chapter is opened for sponsorship.