Deltec Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs honors young, determined entrepreneurs in The Bahamas.
After a very spirited competition, Deltec Initiatives Foundation (DIF) is pleased to announce Aquindo Colebrooke, the owner of Corn Diggity Dogs, as the 2020 winner of the Deltec Young Entrepreneurs Award. The winner was unveiled after the first-ever virtual business pitch competition hosted by Deltec Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs (DIYE) on November 27, 2020.
The judges included a quartet of highly successfully entrepreneurs in their own right, including Deltec’s Chairman Jean Chalopin, Anthony Ferguson, President and Founder, CFAL, Sebastian Bastian, Chief Executive Officer, Island Luck – Playtech Systems Ltd. and Rhonda McDeigan-Eldridge, CPA, CA; Founder & Impactioneer, Harness All Possibilities, Inc.
The participating entrepreneurs were evaluated based on ten criteria, including vision; financial performance; sustainability; resourcefulness; innovation; branding; talent management; service excellence; societal impact and entrepreneurial journey. The foundation believes that building something of long-term value takes grit, persistence and a sense of ambition where nothing is impossible.
After a rigorous selection process and 9 months of working with the DIYE team, Cordero Bonamy of Aktiv Body Rehabilitation; Aquindo Colebrooke of Corn Diggity Dogs and Kristin Kelly of KLK Consulting emerged as the three finalists participating in the business pitch competition.
The 2020 Deltec Young Entrepreneurs Award winner receives a prize package, which includes a $10,000 investment into the Corn Diggity Dogs business along with mentorship from an esteemed business leader. Additionally, Colebrooke will serve as an ambassador for the DIYE program until December 31, 2021.
Colebrooke described the experience as ‘amazing’ and expressed his gratitude and happiness in seeing all the hard work and preparation pay off.
Corn Diggity Dogs is a Bahamian-owned and operated food provider specializing in a unique variety of corn dogs with a Bahamian flair. Established in 2014, Corn Diggity Dogs has gained popularity as a pop-up vendor at many local festivals and events.
About Deltec Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs
The Deltec Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs (DIYE) is a part of the Deltec Initiatives Foundation, whose aim is to foster an environment that empowers young Bahamians to drive positive social impact through the power of arts, entrepreneurship and education. The Deltec Initiatives Foundation is fully funded by Deltec Bank & Trust Limited.
The Deltec Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs is designed to help entrepreneurs who possess the qualities of commitment, perseverance, creativity and keen vision to grow and develop further in their entrepreneurial journey. The Deltec Young Entrepreneurs Award seeks to honor outstanding entrepreneurs that go above and beyond to achieve higher levels of success.
