Published: 15 Oct, '25

Caribbean Export and Caribbean Dragons Forge Strategic Partnership to Boost Caribbean Innovation and Entrepreneurship 

Source: Caribbean Export
MOU-Cbean-Dragons

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) and Caribbean Dragons have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the Ignite Caribbean Summit 2025, held in Trinidad and Tobago. The agreement marks a significant milestone in advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and access to finance for Caribbean Businesses.

The MOU formalises a collaborative framework between Caribbean Export and Caribbean Dragons to foster private sector growth and build a more vibrant startup ecosystem across the region. The partnership will focus on strengthening access to finance, supporting innovation and technology adoption, and enhancing the competitiveness of Caribbean enterprises—particularly those led by youth and women.

Manager- Technical Programmes of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, Mr. Wayne Elliott, underscored the importance of partnerships and collaboration in driving sustainable regional growth.

“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to empowering Caribbean entrepreneurs by connecting them to the knowledge, networks, and financing that they need to scale their businesses and compete globally. This collaboration advances our mission to drive private sector development and regional economic growth. By working together, we aim to unlock new avenues for investment, mentorship, and innovation that will empower Caribbean entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and compete on the global stage. The transformational impact of this partnership lies in its potential to not only accelerate the growth of high-potential enterprises but also to inspire a culture of entrepreneurship and investment across the region. We look forward to the far-reaching benefits this alliance will bring to our economies and our people.”

Caribbean Dragons, an investor network and ecosystem builder dedicated to supporting early- and growth-stage enterprises, will work with Caribbean Export to mobilise capital, build the capacity of enterprises and the investor base, and promote opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.

Mr. Marc G. Persaud, Co-Founder and Director of Caribbean Dragons, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to driving innovation and regional transformation.

“At Caribbean Dragons, our vision is to build a globally competitive Caribbean Innovation Ecosystem. Our goal is to foster connections, share knowledge, and remove roadblocks to empower our people’s creative and innovation potential. One of the lynchpins of our approach is to form long lasting and resonant relationships with like-minded and aligned organisations who are dedicated to changing the future of our region. As such we are absolutely thrilled to be officially partnering with Caribbean Export Development Agency, which has been doing pioneering work in the realm of early-stage investments. The collaboration between Caribbean Dragons and Caribbean Export will have a multiplier effect on each other’s programming and has the potential to be a vital ingredient in the transition of our economies.”

The partnership aligns with Caribbean Export’s EU-supported programmes, including the Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP III) and the EU-LAC Digital Accelerator, both of which seek to strengthen MSME competitiveness, improve access to finance, and encourage digital innovation across the Caribbean.

Through the MOU, both organisations have committed to explore and jointly implement initiatives such as:

    • Startup support and acceleration programmes including pitch events and innovation challenges;
    • Investor forums and financing mechanisms to connect MSMEs with funders and broaden the regional investor base;
    • Capacity-building and mentorship programmes focused on digital transformation and export readiness; and
    • Cross-regional partnerships linking Caribbean entrepreneurs with opportunities in Latin America and Europe.

The agreement reinforces both organisations’ mission to catalyse sustainable, inclusive growth by nurturing entrepreneurship, strengthening the private sector, and advancing regional economic resilience.

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