Startup tech entrepreneurs Norval Mendez (third left) of JELPO, Rochelle Gordon (fourth left) of Amber PegWay, and Jeromha Crossbourne Onfroy (fourth right) of Senior Partner share a photo with the UTech, Jamaica and Amber Group management team at the Showcase and Closing Ceremony for the first cohort of startup entrepreneurs who successfully completed Phase 1 of the Amber–UTech  Launchpad Programme held Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus.  Also pictured (l–r) are Mr. Prince Graham-Haynes, Business Development Consultant, Mrs. Andrea Bolton-Fyffe, Incubator Manager, Technology Innovation Centre (TIC); Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Mrs. Natalia Francis, Chief Marketing Officer, Amber Group; and Mr. Floyd Garett, Head of Execution and Strategy, Amber Group.

The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica), in partnership with the Amber Group, hosted a Showcase and Closing Ceremony on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) UTech, Ja Papine Campus, marking the successful completion of Phase One of the Amber–UTech Launchpad Programme. The event celebrated the progress of the inaugural cohort of tech entrepreneurs who completed the intensive programme designed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven solutions for national development.

Launched in March 2024, the Amber UTech Launchpad programme is a first-of-its-kind programme that empowers startups to go to market faster without the traditional burden of multiple investment rounds. The incubator programme provides comprehensive support to selected finalists, including end-to-end funding for product development, office space, business coaching, and marketing support.

The first cohort emerged from a national call that attracted hundreds of applications. From this pool, twenty high-potential startups were selected to participate in an intensive pitch bootcamp focused on refining their business models and value propositions. Following a competitive final pitch, six entrepreneurs were offered investment opportunities, with three formally onboarded into the Amber–UTech Launchpad programme and presented as the inaugural cohort in April 2025.

Congratulating the three startups on their successful completion of phase one, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica underscored the university’s strong entrepreneurial focus, describing the partnership with the Amber Group as a “no-brainer.”  He noted, “we recognize that entrepreneurship is a big part of our economic growth and development,” noting that entrepreneurs and business leaders are well-rounded contributors to national progress.

Dr. Brown further explained that the Launchpad Programme seeks to identify ventures that view technology not only as a vehicle for generating income, but as a as powerful tool for “adding value to society.”  Describing entrepreneurs as “problem solvers,” he encouraged other innovators to join the Launchpad Programme to help address Jamaica’s challenges, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Mr. Floyd Garrett,Head of Execution and Strategy, Amber Group, in his remarks, noted that the Amber Group has always been guided by a central question of: “How can we help the community, and how can we help the country?” He underscored the importance of creating meaningful opportunities within Jamaica to reduce brain drain, pointing out that many talented individuals leave the island in search of better prospects.  Mr. Garrett explained that Amber Group is working to lay a strong foundation that allows people to “digitally navigate society and create opportunities for themselves,” enabling sustainable futures without the need to migrate.

Mr. Prince Graham-Haynes, Business Development Consultant and former Head of the Joan Duncan School of Entrepreneurship, Ethics and Leadership (JDSEEL), in the College of Business and Management, UTech, Jamaica, who led the programme’s training component, reported that phase one of the Amber UTech Launchpad programme included six months of intensive capacity building.  Participants covered key areas including business model development, product development and prototyping, financial modelling, pitch preparation, and legal and compliance fundamentals. He noted that hands-on support from both the Technology Innovation Centre and Amber Group industry mentors, allowed participants to conduct in-depth market analysis and critically assess real world market needs.

During the ceremony, the three startup companies made their final pitch presentations.  The ventures are Amber Pegway, (formerly Pegway), a platform that connects people with verified electricians, builders, plumbers, and other skilled trades removing the hassle, risk, and stress from getting work done right; JELPO, a digital platform leveraging technology to provide eco-friendly cleaning services; and Senior Partners (formerly eLAW), an AI enabled legal access platform aimed at simplifying life for lawyers in Jamaica.

The ceremony also featured remarks from Mr. Gregory Moore, Chief Executive Officer of PlayJamaica and a successful entrepreneur currently incubated at the Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) at UTech, Ja.  Sharing nuggets of wisdom with the start-up entrepreneurs, he highlighted the importance of innovation, and the imperative for entrepreneurs to focus on adding real “value.” He encouraged entrepreneurs not to focus solely on what is new or creative, but rather on the value they can deliver, noting that creating strong, innovative offerings is especially important as Jamaica recovers from Hurricane Melissa.

Drawing from his own experience of building a video game company, Mr. Moore shared how the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately strengthened the value of his business by forcing innovation and adaptation, shifting from physical engagement to meeting virtual demand during the lock-down period.

Receiving their certificates of completion from Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica presents (l-r) are Rochelle Gordon of PegWay, Norval Mendez of JELPO and Jeromha Crossbourne Onfroy of Senior Partner.

END.

Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm