BEDC’s Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator Graduation

Good evening

On behalf of the Government, I welcome you to tonight’s event celebrating your accomplishment.  You have spent the last 13 weeks developing your strategic-growth plans which will propel you into the next phases of your entrepreneurial journey. 

Entrepreneurship can be difficult, stressful and in most cases, very tiring. I know that you have spent long days, nights and weekends working “IN” your business.  But through the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator you seized the opportunity to work “ON” your business.  

As the CEO or person responsible to ensure the success of your businesses, you recognized the need to step back, assess and build a strategic plan to chart your way forward towards growth. 

Strategic planning is defined as the art of creating specific business strategies, implementing them, and evaluating the results of execution. 

You have embarked upon a journey to create specific goals, by implementing and evaluating them you will be able to effective execute your strategic initiatives.  Like an architect, you have used the last 13 months to build your detailed strategic plans that will help you achieve the6 next level of desired success.

The successful implementation of your plan does not just impact you, but also your employees and future employees who will be needed to help scale your businesses. 

Your ability to scale is in alignment with this Government’s objective to build back Bermuda’s economy better.  That is why we are committed to supporting the development of scalable Bermuda based businesses.  We want to see you grow and thrive and thus recognize the importance of programmes like the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator

They say entrepreneurship can be a lonely road with the ebbs and flows but through the partnership with Interise and the use of the Streetwise MBA curriculum, the BEDC has ensured that you have the additional training, access to a network of peers and business leaders who will continue to provide support and accountability.  As a result, you are now well equipped to meet your full business potential. 

I would like to emphasise that the Bermuda Government remains a strong supporter of entrepreneurship 

The Government remains committed to strengthening the sustainability of local business in Bermuda by ensuring that the existing ecosystem is one that promotes success and helps to develop businesses ready to scale to the next level

As a graduate of the Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator, you are joining an alumnus that includes 60 entrepreneurs that have graduated through the Streetwise MBA Curriculum.  Some of whom are here this evening to bear witness to your achievement

We celebrate your success and encourage you to continue to think big and be strategic as you action your growth plans 

Continue to dream big, scale upward and outward because your success has a direct impact on building back Bermuda’s economy.  

Enjoy the rest of this evening.