Amber UTech Launchpad set to Ignite 100 Tech Start-ups in 1000 Days

Ambassador Dushyant Savadia (seated left), Founder and CEO, Amber Group and Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica (seated right) share a handshake sealing the deal on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between University of Technology, Jamaica and the Amber Group, during the launch of the Amber UTech Launchpad held March 6, 2024 at the UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus.  Prime Minister The Most Honourable Andrew Holness (centre) applauds the landmark MoU agreement, while looking on are (left to right standing) Mr. Michael McNaughton, Managing Director, Amber Group MD and Mr. Aldrick McNab, Pro- Chancellor, UTech, Jamaica.   

In an initiative designed to ignite the establishment and growth of 100 technology-based businesses in Jamaica within 1000 days, The Amber Group in partnership with University of Technology, Jamaica launched the Amber UTech Launchpad at a glittering ceremony at the University’s Papine Campus on March 6, 2024.

Through the launchpad programme, selected entrepreneurs will have their innovative ideas developed from concept to a successful business enterprise and will have access to financing, training, software, and other resources, and will receive business incubation services through UTech, Jamaica’s Technology Innovation Centre (TIC).

Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Jamaica welcomes distinguished guests from the business and academic communities and government at the launch of the Amber UTech Launchpad held March 6, 2024 at the Shared Facilities Building, UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus. 

Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Jamaica in his welcome highlighted the university's longstanding history of providing entrepreneurship education and nurturing efforts in promoting business success through the university’s Technology Innovation Centre (TIC).

Noting that “this philanthropic, collaborative programme between Amber and UTech is about to usher in a groundbreaking transformation to the technology-based start-up entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jamaica.”  Dr. Brown asserted that the Launchpad initiative, “signals a significant and meaningful opportunity for Jamaican citizens of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds, including tertiary students, to realize their dreams of establishing a thriving business.”

He noted further that, “this programme is offering an awesome opportunity like no other, to ignite tech focused business ideas that are relevant to Jamaica’s economic growth and is well poised to ultimately add significant value to creating jobs and ultimately to stimulating growth and economic development in the country.”

Ambassador Dushyant Savadia, Founder and CEO of Amber Group, noted that the Launchpad collaboration with UTech, Jamaica was inspired by the Prime Minister's endorsement of the institution as well as the recognition that “UTech has all the infrastructure and the capability to give training to make this a big success.”

He revealed that his motivation for the project stemmed from his personal experience in establishing a startup and facing challenges such as insufficient funding.  He shared that the secret of Amber Group’s success is, “thinking big, going global, building products that solve customer pain points, and provide visually appealing and affordable solutions.” 

Keynote speaker at the launch ceremony, The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, spoke to the importance of empowering innovation for national progress.  Noting the importance of the Amber UTech Launchpad, the Prime Minister remarked that, “this initiative is a critical one particularly at this time in Jamaica,” adding, “more companies need to start doing this, because this is such an important part of increasing productivity and our general output. We need new businesses in our economy,” he emphasized.

Defining entrepreneurship as, “an essential driver of economic growth and prosperity” and as “the driver of innovation,” The Prime Minister encouraged Jamaicans to cultivate innovative ideas, embrace the possibility of failure, and recognize entrepreneurs as crucial economic agents essential for driving progress and development in the country.  He also acknowledged the importance of productivity and economic growth, emphasizing the essential role of workers, particularly those in the public sector, in driving the economy forward.

Senator The Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, in his remarks at the launch ceremony also commended the collaborative work of the Amber UTech Launchpad. He emphasized the importance of upskilling people for the country’s advancement, noting, “we have to go and negotiate new markets overseas” to serve the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) business and the Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) business.

The Minister also urged large companies to assist small businesses during their developmental stage so they may in turn positively impact the wider society.

Mr. Christopher Zacca, President and CEO of Sagicor Group who brought greetings, urged businesses and visionary leaders to “join with us to further invest in our youth to support UTech and other universities in Jamaica.”  He referenced the Sagicor Innovation Lab housed at the UTech, Jamaica Papine campus which focusses on student teams working on diverse technology-based projects to support business innovation and explore immerging technologies.

Mr. Howard Mitchell, Entrepreneur and Business Mogul in his remarks congratulated UTech, Jamaica and Amber Group for “taking a bold and absolutely necessary step to accelerate the development of our country with acute focus on entrepreneurial education.”  Mr. Mitchell urged entrepreneurs to develop the courage to take risks and not to be daunted by failure but to continue on their journey.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

UTech, Jamaica student Kristian Jones, plays “Heal the world” by Michael Jackson at the Amber UTech Launchpad launch ceremony held on March 6, 2024, at the Shared Facilities Building, University of Technology, Jamaica, Papine Campus.

The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister on his arrival to the Amber UTech Launchpad launch ceremony held on March 6, 2024, at the Shared Facilities Building, University of Technology, Jamaica, Papine Campus talks with Dr. Kevin Brown (left), President, UTech, Jamaica.  The Prime Minister was also welcomed on arrival by Ambassador Dushyant Savadia (2^nd right), Founder and CEO, Amber Group, Mr. Aldrick McNab (right), Pro- Chancellor, UTech, Jamaica and representatives from the office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

Read more news stories about the groundbreaking Amber UTech Launchpad

Amber-UTech Launchpad, turbocharging Jamaica’s innovation

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/03/08/amber-utech-launchpad-turbocharging-jamaicas-innovation/

PM reiterates call for increased labour force productivity

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/03/07/pm-reiterates-call-increased-labour-force-productivity/

PM cautions against falling for political promises of quick economic fix

https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/pm-cautions-against-falling-for-political-promises-of-quick-economic-fix