The second University-wide Business Plan Award Ceremony, held at the O'Meara Campus of The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), saw the petite Abigail Liverpool copping the grand prize of TT $100, 000 for her winning submission, "Organicycle". Ms. Liverpool, a student of the University's Master of Science in Industrial Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Management programme, claimed victory amidst a field of nineteen competitors; comprising students, academic and corporate staff of UTT.

The Business Plan Competition directly supports the advancement of knowledge toward economic transformation, human development and competitiveness. The competition seeks to explore and foster actions which will impact Trinidad and Tobago by creating a thriving economy and a sustainable future. The winning prize of TT $100,000 was sponsored by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, while two smaller prizes of TT$10,000, were each awarded to the second and third place recipients, respectively.

The Business Plan competition challenges persons to develop business plans around innovative products and services which are aligned to their own areas of study, research or professional practice. The Business Plan Competition followed the recently concluded IDEAS competition which encouraged the entire academic and administrative body of UTT to employ innovation and entrepreneurship in all facets of life. This resulted in the submission of thirty-three business concept proposals; several of which are now being developed into business plans for potential funding.

Ms. Liverpool faces a long road ahead in order to bring "Organicycle" to fruition. Before the release of funding (to be awarded in tranches of $25,000) she must first meet stringent criteria which include registering her business and establishing proper banking facilities for the same. While she is prepared to face these challenges head-on, she is using a "starting-small" concept to her business which will produce organic waste recycling towards supporting the local organic farming industry. Ultimately, Abigail would like to own and operate an organic farm which would reduce the need for pesticides in many of the fruits and vegetables for local consumption.

Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise, the Honourable Errol McLeod, was on hand to address the gathering and he challenged those students who were present to become "job creators rather than job seekers". The occasion also presented the forum for the inaugural address by Acting President of The University of Trinidad and Tobago, Professor Ramesh Deosaran (Emeritus). The esteemed panel of judges for the second University-wide Business Plan competition included: Mr. Kenneth Gordon, media magnate and entrepreneur, Ms. Hilary Knights of Evolving Technologies and Enterprise Development Company Limited (eTeck), Mr. Hollis Hinds of Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Langston Roach of Langston Roach Industries and Mr. Ashley Mitchell of National Entrepreneurship Development Company Limited (NEDCO).

1st row from left: Professor Ramesh Deosaran, Acting President of UTT, (centre) Ms. Abigail Liverpool, winner of Business Plan Competition (second from right) Mr. Carl Francis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Honourable Errol McLeod, Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development. Back row (2nd from left) Ms. Angela Hordatt, VP Business Development from eTecK.