The Centre for Training and Innovation – Harbour Island Trade School (CTI-HITS), in collaboration with Wake Forest University’s (WFU) School of Entrepreneurship and the Friends of Harbour Island Trade School (FHITS), successfully hosted its 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship & Business Intensive on Harbour Island from January 4th through 11th. The week culminated in a Business Pitch event on January 10th, where, for the first time in this program, CTI-HITS students competed for 10K in seed funding to advance their businesses.
Pitch Day drew an excited audience of community members, supporters, local business owners, and potential investors from Harbour Island. The event showcased the creativity, professionalism, and entrepreneurial promise emerging from CTI-HITS and the communities of North Eleuthera.
Earning First Place and $5,000 was Dorlan Curtis of Food Post Farms. Second Place and $3,000 went to Jehu Francis of A3 Washing, and Kadian Newton of Sizzle & Serve took home Third Place and $2,000. Each of the winning business ventures demonstrated innovation, feasibility, and strong growth potential within the community.
“This program is about far more than pitching business ideas—it’s also about building confidence, cultivating problem-solvers, and empowering young entrepreneurs to see themselves as drivers of economic growth in their own communities,” said Terann McKenzie, Dean of CTI. “By partnering with Wake Forest University, we are exposing CTI-HITS students to global perspectives while keeping the focus firmly rooted in driving local impact.”
Powered by One Eleuthera Foundation, this annual immersive Entrepreneurship experience brings together students from CTI-HITS and Wake Forest University for an intensive week of learning focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and practical business development. For the CTI-HITS students, this experience caps the 12-week CTI-HITS Entrepreneurship 101 program, which combines classroom instruction, collaborative workshops, and personal mentorship.
The Wake Forest University students, led by Dan Cohen, Whitaker Executive Director and Professor of Entrepreneurship at WFU, participated in daily entrepreneurship classes. During evening sessions, CTI-HITS and WFU students were paired up to collaborate on refining the business concepts and pitch presentations of the CTI-HITS students. Together, they addressed real-world challenges, gained new perspectives, and participated in one-on-one peer mentorship.
“The demand for entrepreneurship in the United States is going through the roof, and I have no reason to believe that the same thing is not happening here on Harbour Island and Eleuthera,” cited Professor Dan Cohen. “Our students have learned a lot going through our award-winning, nationally ranked entrepreneurship program, and now they get to apply that learning and help, and coach and mentor the CTI-HITS students. I also think that our students from Wake Forest are learning a ton from the CTI-HITS students. They have more life experience, and in many cases, they’ve operated a business before, and so the learning is a two-way street, which adds to the excitement and the energy.”
Following this year’s pitch presentations, the CTI-HITS students received feedback from a panel of international business owners, who offered valuable insights and guidance on scaling, sustainability, and market readiness. The session also featured a presentation by Claire Basden of the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC), who outlined available support programs, business advisory services, and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs on Eleuthera.
“Our young entrepreneurs are poised for great things, and their success represents what is possible when talent meets opportunity right here at home,” said Darico Higgs, President of FHITS. “We are incredibly proud to support a program that not only develops business ideas, but also builds future leaders for Harbour Island and North Eleuthera.”
In closing out the program, special thanks were extended to Rick and Lisa Anderson and the FHITS board for facilitating the program each year, as well as to the students, faculty, mentors, and community supporters who continue to build its success.
“This annual, cross-border education program reinforces our mission to foster economic empowerment, innovation, and sustainable community growth,” said Keyron Smith, President and CEO of OEF and CTI. “We anticipate that the businesses launched through this program will continue to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of Harbour Island and strengthening North Eleuthera’s growing workforce and economy.
CTI is committed to expanding pathways for entrepreneurship and business development across Eleuthera, with plans underway to launch a similar Entrepreneurship program at the Rock Sound campus in South Eleuthera in 2026.
