On Thursday evening, August 28th, 2025 at Workers House in Governor’s Harbour, the Bahamas’ Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) – mandated to actively work to empower local talent and ensure Bahamians lead and benefit from their economy – hosted a Venture Pitch Competition, which saw ten Eleutheran entrepreneurs present their business venture ideas, proposals or going concerns to a panel of locally based judges, who then deliberated on who they thought had given the best pitch to warrant an ‘investment’ in their visions. Up for grabs were first, second and third place cash prizes of $10,000, $8,000, and $6,000, respectively.
Competitors taking part, were well prepared, having gone through a six-week preparatory training, which expanded their knowledge of business planning, and honing their presentations, to do the best job of wooing an investor or financier to see the potential of their visions. Each participant was given just three minutes to introduce their business overview, and convince the judges that their pitch was worthy of one of the top prizes.
The ten entrepreneurs who bravely faced the panel, included; Marilyn Lafleur of Hearty Mow Farms, whose venture focused on eco-tours, interwoven with rejuvenation; Edrin Chris Symonette of No Stress Fishing Adventures, honed in on sustainable fishing and cultural immersion; Portia McCoy of Farm 4 Health, based in Rainbow Bay touted her special brand of farming; Indira Rolle of Eleuthera Farm Delights, showcased birding and farm tours; Tenielle Adderley of Sage and Sand Co., presented on her going concern of shore-based picnics and envisioned water-based ‘Bucket List Charters’; Bekera Taylor of Taylor Made Farms, made quite the impression with her TST (Taste, See, Touch) Entrepreneurs Village; Tanya Saunders-Albury of Destiny Signature Farm, touted her take on the coconut, with her growing grove; Dorlan Curtis of FoodPost Farms in North Eleuthera, highlighted his focus on birds, bees and bunnies at his well-known operation and the integration of agri-tourism experiences; David Allen of Island Roots Eco-Retreat and Tours, talked up his vision of taking on the business; and Menishcha Barr of Island Senses, rounded out the pitch presentations with her ideas of a sensory studio.
Many of the entrepreneurs were presenting visions of improvement, growth or expansion of services already being offered, while several pitched on new, untried ventures. Either way, the job of the judges was not an easy one, with so many strong pitches presented. Serving as adjudicators on the evening, were; island administrator for South Eleuthera, Bridgette Farquharson-Knowles; business manager, Bria Johnson; and Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce director, Audrey Tynes. They asked questions of most of the competitors following their brief presentations, to get a better understanding of how well prepared they were to take on the challenges they might face in bringing their business visions to fruition.
Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, the Hon. Clay Sweeting gave the keynote address to the audience gathered to watch and take in the venture pitch competition. MP Sweeting emphasized that the government was dedicated to nurturing a strong network of entrepreneurs, recognizing small and medium-sized businesses as the backbone of the economy and a crucial engine for job creation, and programs like the pitch competition were designed to empower local talent and diversify the economy beyond traditional tourism.
He commended the contestants for their courage as well as their innovative ideas, and urged them to build sustainable business that would act as good stewards of Eleuthera’s pristine natural environment. He also opined that the businessess should reflect the unique identity of local, Bahamian culture and offer authentic and meaningful connection to our people and our environment. Mr. Sweeting also encouraged all of the participants, regardless of the competition’s outcome, to continue building their brands and businesses, because their contributions were vital for both the island, and the country.
Of the ten compelling venture pitches presented during the evening, three winners emerged as successful in their bid to snag the cash prizes. Bekera Taylor got top billing with her vision for the TST Eleuthera Entrepreneurs Village. Coming in second, was Sage and Sand Co’s Tenielle Adderley, and following in third was Edrin Chris Symonette with his No Stress Fishing Tours.
In post-competition interviews, following the announcements, Mrs. Taylor expressed that the competition meant a lot for her. She shared that the vision for the business was nearly a decade in the making, since she first arrived in Eleuthera. Her idea, she said, was intended to impact not just her, but “numerous entrepreneurs” across the island, who currently have no place for their business home. With two locations earmarked, in Rock Sound and Hatchet Bay for the new venture, Mrs. Taylor said she was excited for entrepreneurs to be able to have a consistent space where they could sell their goods and services in Eleuthera.
Tenielle Adderley of Sage and Sand Co. shared that she was excited to continue to develop the picnic aspect of her wedding flowers business, adding that the second-place cash winnings would go a long way toward her goal of attaining a captain’s license and other relevant certifications, to expand her business further into offering water-based picnic experiences.
Third-place winner, Edrin Chris Symonette of No Stress Fishing Adventures, described his offerings as unique, and something different that he wanted to bring to South Eleuthera. He highlighted the sustainable nature of his stone crab fishing, as well as the creativity he has been able to bring to his adventures as an artist.
Ian Ferguson, executive directer and CEO with the TDC in remarks during the evening spoke about the corporation’s mandate of building entrepreneurship, and expanding the tourism industry, so that more Bahamians could share in its benefits. Ferguson highlighted the TDC’s function to provide resources, training, funding and mentorship to help entrepreneurs establish and sustain their tourism-based businesses. He also spoke about some of the recent activity taken by the TDC in Eleuthera, including their ‘Hospitality Assured’ credentialing system, and a lifeguard certification program facilitated in partnership with the American Lifeguard Association. The public was encouraged to visit tdcbahamas.com to engage with their programs for business development, product creation and linkages.
