Entrepreneurs listening to the delivery by facilitator, Mr. Hilary J. Bengochea of ExporTT

uSTART, the business accelerator programme of The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), functions as an engine of innovation and enterprise. It serves to foster an ecosystem that supports the entrepreneurial mindsets of both students and staff of UTT through the provision of a physical business space and business development services, inclusive of access to hosted seminars, workshops and other opportunities originating at uSTART and with partner organisations.

A needs assessment conducted last year by uSTART revealed that many of the entrepreneurs required additional export knowledge. As a result on Tuesday 16 February, 2016, uSTART hosted ExporTT at its Frederick Settlement location to present the Export Basics Seminar. The ExporTT Facilitator was Mr. Hilary J. Bengochea, Director, Sandee Communications Ltd; the event was also coordinated by Ms. Maria Padilla-Benjamin, Manager of Training at ExporTT. Thirty (30) entrepreneurs were present, including uSTART entrepreneurs, AboUTT suppliers and two IBIS entrepreneurs.

The aim of the workshop was to assess the entrepreneur’s export readiness and to take those companies that were prepared for export to the next step. The ExporTT session was also geared toward assisting those companies that were not yet ready for exporting, by informing them what needs to be done in order to get to that point. Interactive sessions were also included, whereby the entrepreneurs were able to share and discuss their experiences and various aspects of export.

AboUTT suppliers, uSTART and IBIS Entrepreneurs Partaking in Group Discussions

The ExporTT seminar covered areas such as “The New Business Environment”, “Opportunities for Growth”, “What Does it Take to be an Exporter” and “Benefits and Risks Involved in Exporting”. Toward the end of the session, an Export Readiness Assessment was done and entrepreneurs wanting to begin the export process were given the necessary documents and immediately introduced to the ExporTT representatives who were present.

The seminar was a success, with the majority of entrepreneurs rating the knowledge and access they gained with a nine out of ten. By the end of the seminar, several companies signed up with ExporTT to begin taking the next step in export.

ExporTT’s Facilitator, Mr. Hilary J. Bengochea Presenting to Entrepreneurs

uSTART wishes to thank the ExporTT Facilitator Mr. Hilary J. Bengochea, Ms. Maria Padilla-Benjamin and Ms. Renee Solomon for their assistance, as uSTART continues to strive to achieve UTT’s mission:

To be an entrepreneurial university designed to discover and develop entrepreneurs, commercialise research and development and spawn companies for wealth generation and sustainable job creation towards the equity enhancement of the quality of life of all individuals, families and communities of the republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.