Agenda

FRIDAY, November 16th, 2012 | Saturday November 17th, 2012
Caribbean BETA – The Tech Entrepreneurship Conference
Knutsford Court Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica

 

THEME: This year’s theme is The Business of the Internet- Mobile. Social. Consumer driven – Where are the opportunities?

It’s a show and tell through exciting keynote speakers and panels on the opportunities on how the smartest Caribbean minds in technology, creative industries and business can use the internet, mobile and social platforms to solve problems, create opportunities and change the world. It also about identifying and exploiting opportunities when technology integrates with other industries.

 

AGENDA DAY 1:  FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16th, 2012

8:45 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.

Welcome/Opening Remarks
- Ingrid Riley, Founder of ConnectiMass, Host of Caribbean BETA

– Marie T. Legault Counsellor and Head, Development Cooperation – C.I.D.A
- Julian Robinson, State Minister in Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy & Mining

 

9:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.

PANEL Discussion
When Technology Meets Government – What are the business opportunities ?
From education, open data, education, online services and more, technology can help government to solve some many problems, become more transparent and do business with the public more efficiently. What opportunities does the public sector offer? What priority areas for tech intervention? How best to harness those opportunities?

Moderator – Matthew McNaughton, Founder- Slashroots

Panelists

Leroy Cooke- Managing DIrector of FIscal Services

Dr Parris Lyew Ayee – Director Mona Geo-Informatics Institute

Shalette East, Founder of GoGsat.com

Lorna Greene, Chairman of Central Information Technology Office (C.I.TO)

 

 

9:50 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

OPENING KEYNOTE
Reggae Music 2.0: How will it succeed in the Digital Age of Music, Brand, Culture?
Reggae music is one of Jamaica’s most successful exports - the primary target markets being the United States and the United Kingdom. The music industry alone is estimated to have earned US$255 million in 2004. But as Reggae is now a global phenomenon, spawning artists, events,products, buying communities and more worldwide and with the Digital Age  changing the game – the debate rages on – when will Jamaica take the business of Reggae music seriously and  move from being primarily a hand maiden, to that of a shot caller – and truly capitalise.
Speaker: Mike Johns, CEO of Digital Mind State.

 

 

10:30 – 11:00 am

Networking Coffee Break

 

 

11:00 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.

Panel DISCUSSION
Mobile – A phenomenal Caribbean Opportunity
It is no secret that in the Caribbean people are crazy about their cell phones. In fact, the Caribbean has one of the highest levels of mobile phone penetration in the world. By 2014 Mobile Internet Users are expected to surpass Desktop Internet Users. Is your business ready? From Apps, Games, Mpayments, Mremittances and more. Regional businesses, developers and even governments all face an immense opportunity if they can learn how to harness the platform.

Moderator: Vivion Scully, Head of IT  Investments, JAMPRO

Panelists

Stephen Spence -Ceo, SMS Communications

Toni Eliasz – InfoDev (World Bank Group)

Damion Daley – Ceo, Software Architects

Wade Howell, Telecoms Analyst

 

11:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

PANEL DISCUSSION
When TECHNOLOGY MEETS the CREATIVE INDUSTRIES – WHERE ARE THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES?
Reggae, Soca, Zouk| Film | Animation| Fashion| Food| Publishing. Jamaica’s reputation as the “cultural mecca” of the Caribbean has positioned our creative industries as a key revenue generator for the local economy. The industry encompasses music, craft, cuisine, fashion, fine arts, publishing, film and video, advertising, architecture and a host of other creative goods and services. The music industry alone is estimated to have earned US$255 million in 2004, while the film industry has earned in excess of JA $1 billion in 2006. The digital age ushered in a the new world order for the business of creative industries. What are the trends? Where are the business opportunities?

 

12:40 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.

Moderator: Kellie Magnus, Founder of JackMandora – Children’s Publishing and Media Company

Panelists

-Lloyd Laing – Founder - ReggaeTop40.com

-Storm Saulter, Film Director – Better Mus Come

-Simone Harris- President of 360ARTISTS/ Partner at ThinkLikeAgirL Music Inc.( Diana King’s indie label)
-Kim-Marie Spence -Head of Creative Industries Unit, JAMPRO

-Wayne Sinclair – Partner in Reel Rock Animation Studio

PANEL DISCUSSION

Funding ENTREPRENEURSHIP & Innovation- What Will it Take?
The Caribbean’s got talent., they have great ideas, but how do we find, fund and facilitate the next big Caribbean Tech Entrepreneur.

Moderator: Ingrid Riley, Founder of ConnectiMass

Panelists:

Mark Crosskery, CEO of Stocks & Securities Ltd

Chad Cunningham- Ceo of DealVentures

Colin Webster-Head of University of the West Indies Business Incubator

S Peter Campbell II- Acceler8 (Startup Accelerator)

 

1:30pm – 2:30pm

Networking Lunch Break

 

2:40-5:00 pm

Who will have the top Caribbean tech ideas for 2012?
Pitch FEST
The Caribbean BETA PitchFest is where the smartest minds and most passionate people come to pitch their big ideas that can solve problems and create opportunities. They do it for cash, connections and the braggable of having the top Caribbean Tech Idea for 2012.

Judges

Mike Johns, Ceo of Digital Mind State

Guest Judges

 

 

5:00 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.

CLOSING
Thank you. Sponsor acknowledgements. Announcements

Ingrid Riley, Founder, Connectimass and Host of Caribbean BETA

 

 

5:10 pm -7:30pm

I AM BETA Mixer

After Conference drinks and networking with speakers, panelists, entrepreneurs and attendees.

 

 

AGENDA DAY 2 | Saturday November 17th, 2012  |  STARTUP BOOTCAMP

OBJECTIVE |  MEET, LISTEN, WORK, LEARN
The 2012 theme for Caribbean BETA is The Business of the Internet.  We will show and tell  the entrepreneurial opportunities the internet, mobile and social platforms have to offer. In addition to the many more that exist when you integrate technology with other industries.

The following day in the Caribbean BETA Startup BootCamp, will help aspiring and current entrepreneurs, take themselves to take further steps in moving from an idea towards launching a startup.

 

THE LEAN STARTUP METHODOLOGY will be used

 

WORKSHOP #1
How do you Know if your idea is a viable business ?

Is my idea viable? How to put your idea through its paces – and see if it still stands up. Come to fearlessly pitch your best tech-driven idea that uses internet, mobile and social platforms to solve problems, create opportunities and change the world. Then be prepared to put it through the viability testing process and see if it passes.

Target Audience: For any aspiring and current entrepreneur with a tech-driven idea that leverages the internet, mobile or social platforms for example- a website, web app, mobile service, mobile app and gaming. ( Individuals & Teams)
Time: 10am-1pm
Venue: JAMPRO Training, New Kingston

 

WORKSHOP #2
What is Your Business Model? How to monetize your tech-driven idea?

Monetizing your tech-driven business ideas is about creating a business that will be sustainable and allow you the growth you are aiming for, and it also means implementing a certain certain business model, with which you will be able to successfully place your products and services on the market. You will learn about business model generation, selection, testing and implementation.

Target Audience: For any aspiring and current entrepreneur who has a working tech-driven prototype everages the internet, mobile or social platforms, just launched a tech-driven startup, has a tech-driven idea that’s been rated as viable and now wants to know how to select a business model that will drive revenue and the growth of their business. ( Individuals & Teams)
Time: 2pm-5pm
Venue: JAMPRO Training Room, New Kingston

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18th, 2012 |  STARTUP BOOTCAMP

 

WORKSHOP #3

How to select the best strategy for taking your product/service to market? How to reach your customers?
Time: 9am-12pm

 

LUNCH 12pm-1pm

 

WORKSHOP #4

Investment readiness and how to raise funding for your venture?
Time: 1pm-4pm

 

LAUNCH: VIRTUAL STARTUP BOOTCAMP CHALLENGE

Details of a two-month-long pitching challenge with virtual coaching
Time: 4pm-5pm

 

COST: $1,000jmd ( cash only at door on day of Bootcamp) includes lunch