We are seeking out startups that are improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean with products and services in the Creative and Cultural sectors such as:

Performing arts: Theater production (dance, circus, puppets, etc.) and festivals.

Audiovisual arts: Audiovisual production (painting, sculpture, handicrafts, photography, multimedia, illustration, cinema and radio).

Technology: Digital production (video games, animation, software development, wearables), 3D printing and robotics.

Design and publishing: Architecture, industrial design, graphic design, publishing of books and magazines, fashion and jewellery. 

Music: Production, musical post-production and festival organizing.

Cultural management: Art and heritage centers, conservation, marketing companies and events and communications companies. 

REQUIREMENTS

1. Participants must be at least 18 years old as of February 1, 2016 and be the founder or a co-founder of the startup. 
2. The startup has to have been up and running between one and three years at the time the application is submitted. 
3. Applications must be registered in the NEXSO platform and filled out in any of the official languages of the IDB (Spanish, English, Portuguese or French). 
4. The startup must develop its product or service in one of the sectors mentioned above.
5. The startup must be ready to raise funds so as to move on to a new level of expansion or impact. 

PRIZES

Each of the winners will receive: 
•Membership to access the IDB platform ConnectAmericas.
•An invitation for a member of the team to take part in Demand Solutions 2016 (all expenses paid), where they will have the chance to present their startup to investors, the news media, industry specialists and potential clients.
•During the event the top three startups will receive awards:
•1st place: $30,000US
•2nd place: $15,000US 
•3rd place: $7,000US
•Other prizes will be presented by partners.

For more information, please see: http://www.iadb.org/en/calls-for-proposals,18893.html

Submission Deadline: February 1, 2016 (5.59 EST – 6.59 Port of Spain) 

For more info or assistance in applying, contact: 

1. Ms. Patti Mohan – Grants Coordinator, International Office and Grant Funding at 642-8888 Ext 46122 -patti.mohan@utt.edu.tt 
2. Mrs. Debra Haniff-Gobin – Grants and Proposals Writer, International Office and Grant Funding at 642-8888 Ext. 46118 – debra.haniff@utt.edu.tt