The University of Trinidad and Tobago's Business Accelerator/Incubator - uSTART congratulates uSTART entrepreneurs, Nikita Legall and Simon Neptune, for their success in the Shell LiveWIRE programme. Ms. Legall, Managing Director of Tropical Hives Ltd. placed second overall and Mr. Neptune, Founder of Neptune Blue Energy, earned a spot in the finals.

uSTART entrepreneurs, Ms. Nikita Legall (right) and Mr. Simon Neptune (left), with Mr. Inshan Meahjohn, AVP - Entrepreneurship and Technology Commercialization, UTT (centre)

Shell LiveWIRE is an accelerator programme that supports growth stage start-ups in underdeveloped economic sectors. In May 2018, the entrepreneurs submitted their applications and by June, they were selected to join the programme where they were given the opportunity to scale up their ideas and transform their businesses. The programme's targeted growth sectors this year were identified as Recycling and Waste Management, Energy Solutions and Agriculture & Agri-Processing. Ms. Legall has made important contributions in the latter sector and her steadfast commitment to sustaining local food systems is evident in Tropical Hives' unique line of honey and hive related products and partnerships with other local beekeepers. Additionally, she has initiated a number of agricultural projects like Ah-Grow! - a platform that allows local growers to trade, educates on waste reduction practices and develops community food solutions.

Second (2nd) Place Winner, Ms. Nikita Legall of Tropical Hives Ltd.

In the Energy Solutions sector, Mr. Neptune excelled on the merit of Neptune Blue Energy's work towards improving the environment and human quality of life through sustainable and disruptive technologies. Neptune Blue Energy is primarily a clean-tech company with a number of renewable energy projects. One current project involves the generation of motive power through the application of processes across multiple scientific fields including thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, plasma physics and computational analytics.

The selected entrepreneurs participated in four (4) months of training designed to provide technical focus, develop their businesses and leadership skills and manage resources. Among other benefits, they also had access to monthly master classes led by local entrepreneur icons, a global community of Shell LiveWIRE alumni and an opportunity to exhibit and pitch their products/services to a panel of investors. Ms. Legall and other prize winners not only received financial incentives upon graduation but will have ongoing peer to peer networking support for eleven (11) months post programme completion.

Through its business development services such as business plan and pitch development, mentorship, networking opportunities, workshops and marketing assistance, uSTART not only develops entrepreneurs' capacity to shine within their current spaces but it pushes and prepares them for greater opportunities afforded by other programmes like Shell LiveWIRE. Ms. Legall and Mr. Neptune are proud testaments to the value of uSTART's investment in building UTT's students and alumni into acclaimed entrepreneurs. For more information on joining uSTART, email entrepreneurship@utt.edu.tt or call 642-8888 Exts. 46117/24115/25180.