Launch of Joint Initiative by LASCO Chin Foundation and The Trust for the Americas’ DIA Urban Lab, opens eyes

In a significant step toward empowering young entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and communities to foster urban innovations, the LASCO Chin Foundation (LCF) launched its Entrepreneurship Hub that will house The Trust for the Americas’ DIA Urban Lab.

Hosted on Wednesday, October 2, at the newly renovated LCF facility located at 31 Red Hills Road in Kingston, the joint initiative brought together community leaders, entrepreneurs and key stakeholders from the LCF, The Trust for the Americas, Institute of Law & Economics (ILE) and Citi Foundation, who recently concluded their Entrepreneurship World Cup finals in Jamaica.

Dwayne Gutzmer, CEO, Institute of Law & Economics delivered the introductions and opening remarks, highlighting the importance of community-driven projects that uplift local entrepreneurs, promote urban transformation, and create opportunities for all Jamaicans. He also pointed to noteworthy beneficiaries, such as Jermaine Bryan from Montego Bay, whose Blueprint Farms project focuses on sustainable and revolutionary, soil-less vertical farming technology for more efficient food production.

The event marked the beginning of a new chapter in the organisations’ collective efforts, further enriched by the presentations on diverse educational opportunities. Shauna Todd, Project Coordinator of The Trust’s DIA Urban Lab, and Starlliea Smith, Project Coordinator at LCF, praised the achievements of young innovators who participated in recent entrepreneurial training and coaching programmes. Smith noted that the combined launch of the LCF Entrepreneurship Hub and reopening of the DIA Urban Lab underscores their continued commitment to empowering local communities and encouraging innovation across various sectors.

Speaking on the LCF entrepreneurial journey, Professor Rosalea Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer at the foundation, reflected on Former Chairman Lascelles Chin’s commitment to similar initiatives, noting, “He was personally involved in the entrepreneurship programme…providing personal financial support to two of our exceptional entrepreneurs because of their impact on their communities. Leadership from the top matters, and I am so pleased that the leadership from the top continues with our new Chairman James Rawle.”

Professor Hamilton also emphasised the lessons learnt and their impact on the new phase of the entrepreneurial journey. “We learnt we had to act fast and to find innovative solutions to unknown challenges. We learnt how much farther we could go with strong partners; solid partnerships enabled us to not only provide support to entrepreneurs in our programme as well as other small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), but also to monitor their progress during this period,” she shared.

Attendees of the event participated in a tour of the LCF Entrepreneurship Hub and The Trust’s DIA Urban Lab , which will serve as a central resource for aspiring business owners and innovators. The facility is thoughtfully designed for comprehensive mentorship, business development training, and ongoing support to help entrepreneurs transform their ideas into viable business models and, ultimately, thriving enterprises. It is currently equipped with state-of-the-art resources, including computers, laser engraving machine, and advanced 3D printing technology, providing young innovators with the tools they need to bring their creative visions to life, as well as isolated microphone sets for persons who may be interested in podcasting. The cutting-edge environment encourages hands-on-learning, empowering entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions and scale their businesses.

In his closing remarks, James E. D. Rawle, CD, Chairman of the LASCO Affiliated Companies, spoke to the foundation’s ongoing commitment to nurturing Jamaica’s entrepreneurial spirit. “Today’s launch of the LCF Entrepreneurship Hub and reopening of The Trust’s DIA Urban Lab, has been an eye-opening experience. It symbolises more than the renovation of our facility – it marks a pivotal moment for Jamaica’s entrepreneurs. We are committed to providing the tools and support they need to unlock their potential and succeed. Through strategic partnerships, we are building an ecosystem that nurtures creative entrepreneurship. This is not just a project; it is the beginning of a movement to transform lives and build stronger, more sustainable communities.”

James E. D. Rawle CD, (centre) Chairman of LASCO Affiliated Companies leads the ribbon cutting, with assistance from Dwayne Gutzmer (left), CEO of the Institute of Law and Economics, Professor Rosalea Hamilton, CEO of the LASCO Chin Foundation (LCF), and Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager at Trust for the Americas (second from right) and Jermaine Bryan, the founder of Blueprint Farms and recent participant in the Entrepreneurship World Cup organised through the DIA Urban Lab, officially opening the LCF Entrepreneurship Hub and the Trust for the Americas DIA Urban Lab.

Front row, from left: Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager at Trust for the Americas, Professor Rosalea Hamilton, CEO of the LASCO Chin Foundation, and Dwayne Gutzmer, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Law and Economics sign their commitment to the project. Back row, from left: James E. D. Rawle CD, Chairman of LASCO Affiliated Companies, Naketa West, Local Coordinator at Trust for the Americas, and Phillipa Armstrong, Accounting and Internal Affairs Manager at Institute of Law and Economics witnessed the official signing. The launch of the LCF Entrepreneurship Hub and DIA Urban Lab took place on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.