CONGRATS TO OUR 2025 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Amina Blake - Foreman
CEO/Founder, Vibe Connections
Amina has been honing her business acumen since the tender age of seven. When other children her age were doing what was “normal” on the weekends, Amina was busy selling rare and exotic spices from Grenada to locals and tourists alike in her native island home of Trinidad. She quickly gained and has retained a reputation for her honesty and integrity.
In 2001, Amina migrated to the United States to join her family, however, she did not leave her entrepreneurial spirit behind. She fell in love with real estate and went on to found her own real estate, property management, and cleaning businesses. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a Math Major.
Amina is passionate about helping others achieve their dreams. It is this compelling desire to help others, combined with her determination, that has led her to founding VIBE Connections Limited. She saw two groups of people needing help and, in true Amina fashion, rose to the challenge and came up with a solution to help them both.
“The reward for me isn’t just about the money and the big life I get to fund for my family,” she says, “it’s about knowing I was able to help people achieve their dreams.”
Our 2025 Pitch Finalists
Meet Our Official Judges!
Mr. Killa
Artist + Serial Entrepreneur
Mr. Killa, born Hollice Mapp in Gouyave, Grenada, is a versatile Soca artist known for his electrifying stage presence and unique blend of soca with other genres like EDM and dancehall. He gained prominence after winning Grenada's first National Teen Talent Search at 15 and has consistently produced hits like "Thunder Rags" and "Rolly Polly". He is also a cultural ambassador for Grenada and is known for his "Jab Soca" sound, a subgenre of Grenadian soca music. Beyond his music, Mr. Killa is involved in developing Grenadian musical talent, opening a recording studio, multimedia facility, and radio station in Gouyave, and launching the MK Songwriting Competition. He also created a platform called GO-Carnival for carnival information worldwide.
Jennifer Rampersaud
Financial Strategist, Author, Speaker + Media Personality
Jennifer Rampersaud is a powerful voice for generational transformation, blending purpose, faith, and finance to inspire impact across the U.S., Caribbean, and beyond. An international radio personality, published author, Certified Christian Counselor, and inspirational speaker, Jennifer uses her platforms to educate and uplift communities with bold authenticity.
A licensed contractor, credit strategist, and co-owner of a mortgage branch, she empowers others to build wealth through credit repair, creative funding, and real estate. Her portfolio includes a successful credit repair firm and a series of Airbnb properties showcasing short-term rental success.
She is the author of The Credit Code and Built from Bruises: The Wealth Rebirth Code, both of which blend personal healing with practical financial wisdom.
At her core, Jennifer is a devoted wife, mother, and family matriarch. Through her nonprofit, Lorraine’s Legacy, Inc., she champions financial literacy, women’s empowerment, and legacy building. Her life mantra: From bruises to breakthroughs.
Atiba T. Edwards
CEO + PRESIDENT, Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Atiba T. Edwards is President & CEO of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, following a seamless transition from his role as COO and Executive VP in 2019. Named the 12th leader in BCM’s history in November 2023, he made history as the first Black man to hold the position in the institution’s 125‑year legacy.
A Brooklyn native with roots in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Atiba began his career as a fixed‑income research analyst at JPMorgan and Nomura, before serving as Director of Operations at Brooklyn East Collegiate. He later co‑founded FOKUS, a nonprofit dedicated to arts‑based community connection.
At BCM, he leads budget management, staff efficiency improvements, and new initiatives—like ArtRink, mini‑golf, a state‑of‑the‑art auditorium, and a $15 million garden renovation project. Under his leadership, the museum continues to champion experiential, culturally responsive learning for Brooklyn’s youth.
2025 Pitch Competition Applications are now closed!
2025 Pitch Competition Applications are now closed!
Calling All Caribbean Entrepreneurs!
Do you have a bold business idea or brand that’s ready to shine on a big stage?
This is your moment.
Take your brand from pitch to presence on the world’s largest Caribbean Festival at sea!
Ubersoca Cruise and Carib Biz Network are excited to partner on this unique Business Pitch Competition. This competition aims to highlight and support promising Caribbean entrepreneurs by providing a platform to pitch their business to a panel of industry leaders!
Applications Open: May 6th, 2025 | 12:00 am ET
Deadline to Apply: June 4th, 2025 | 11:59 pm ET
Finalists Notified: June 9th, 2025
Top 5 Finalists Pitch LIVE: June 22, 2025 | New York City
The Grand Prize: The Ultimate Getaway & Marketing Opportunity aboard Ubersoca Cruise (Sailing Nov 15-22, 2025)
Valued at $12,000 USD!!!
✔️ 7 Night - Balcony Cabin for 2 (T&Cs apply)
✔️ Vendor Display in High-Traffic Area
✔️ Gift Bag Inclusion
✔️ 30-sec Video Rotation on 1600+ Screens across the ship
✔️ Logo on Post-Cruise Marketing Assets
✔️ Standup Banner in Prominent Location
✔️ Booth Display During the Cruise
Pitch Competition Submission Process
Eligibility Rules:
Applicants must be a registered U.S. business or in the process of registration.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be Caribbean majority-owned minority business (51%+ ownership).
Open only to entrepreneurs with an operational business under five years old.
Must be a product or service-based business.
Business Revenue Cap cannot exceed $150,000/year.
Pitch Submission:
Applicants nust complete an offical entry form.
Applicants should submit a pitch video introducing themselves, their business idea, their customer pain points, how they show up uniquely in the market and what their goals are in terms of growth/scaling. (3 minutes max)
Optional: Applicants may submit any document that helps us understand their cash flow, their documented growth/success and how they plan to scale/grow the company.
CHECK OUT THIS UBER SOCA CRUISE 2025 PROMO VIDEO!
Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. The 2025 USC X CBN Business Pitch Competition begins on Thursday, May 6th, 2025, at 12:00 am ET and ends May 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET.
EACH ENTRANT HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT SUCH ENTRANT IS AN OWNER OF A CARIBBEAN-OWNED BUSINESS AND AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE AND THAT SUCH ENTRANT HAS READ THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND IS FAMILIAR WITH AND AGREES TO ITS CONTENTS.
ELIGIBILITY: The Competition is open to Caribbean-owned businesses located in the United States that submit a Competition application during the period of Thursday, May 6th, 2025, at 12:00 am ET and May 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET. Employees of USC or CBN, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling and spouse and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and persons living in the same households as such individuals (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the Competition. By participating, you agree to these Official Rules and to the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Void where prohibited by law, and subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
HOW TO ENTER THE COMPETITION: To enter the Competition, you must submit the official online application from Thursday, May 6th, 2025, at 12:00 am ET to May 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET. Five (5) selected applicants will be required to perform a live three-minute business pitch on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER COMPANY: Limit one (1) entry per person and per company for the duration of the Competition Period. Entries generated by a script, macro or other automated means are void. Entries that are mutilated, altered, incomplete, mechanically reproduced, tampered with, illegible, inaccurate, forged, irregular in any way, or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules are also void. All entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned to the entrant. Sponsor and those working on its behalf will not be responsible for lost, late, misdirected or damaged mail or email, or for Internet, network, computer hardware and software, phone or other technical errors, malfunctions and delays that may occur.
CABIN GIVEAWAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The grand prize winner will be selected based on judging by a three-member panel of the Pitch Competition. Travel to the port of disembarcation (Miami, FL) , alcohol and taxes on the cabin are the sole responsibility of the winner. Grand prize includes one (1) Balcony Cabin for 2. Offer only valid in respect of new reservations. Offer includes accommodations on ship, access to all land and ship events, food (excluding Specialty restaurants) and gratuities. Offer DOES NOT include Govt taxes and port fees and expenses ($489 pp). Offer DOES NOT include the Unlimited Beverage Package ($700pp). Offer DOES NOT include flights, hotel accommodation, travel insurance or transportation to/from hotel/port. Offer subject to availability.
FINALIST NOTIFICATION: Five Finalists will be announced on June 9th and notified about moving forward in the competition.
PUBLICITY RELEASE: Except where prohibited or restricted by law and notwithstanding the fact that the winner may be required to sign a separate Liability/Publicity Release, winner's acceptance of Prize constitutes winner's agreement and consent for Sponsor to use and/or publish the winner's full name, city and state of residence, Competition entry, and/or statements made by winner regarding the Competition, winner's voice, photographs and other likeness, worldwide and in perpetuity for any and all purposes, including, but not limited to, advertising, trade and/or Competition on behalf of Sponsor, in any and all forms of media, now known or hereafter devised, including, but not limited to, print, TV, radio, electronic, cable or World Wide Web, without further limitation, restriction, compensation, notice, review or approval.
PRIVACY: Any company or personal information collected will be used for administration of the Competition and awarding of any Award. In addition, by entering, entrants agree to Sponsor's use of entrant's personal information as described in its Privacy Policy on the website: https://www.caribbiznetwork.com/privacy-policy . Please refer to CBN’s privacy policy for important information regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
RELEASE: BY ENTERING THE COMPETITION, ENTRANTS AGREE TO RELEASE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS COMPETITION PARTIES AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENT, SUBSIDIARY AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES AS WELL AS THE SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND LICENSEES OF EACH AND THE RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, SHAREHOLDERS, CONTRACTORS AND REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH, FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, EXPENSES, DAMAGES, (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS FEES), OR LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY, LOSS, OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND TO PERSONS (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DEATH), AND PROPERTY, WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT, WHICH MAY BE DUE TO OR ARISE OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION OR ANY PORTION THEREOF; A BREACH OR ALLEGATION WHICH IF TRUE WOULD CONSTITUTE A BREACH OF ANY OF ENTRANT’S REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OR OBLIGATIONS HEREIN; OR THE ACCEPTANCE, USE/MISUSE OR POSSESSION OF AWARD(S), OR ANY AWARD-RELATED ACTIVITY. ENTRANTS WAIVE ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
DISCLAIMER: Competition Parties are not responsible for computer, mobile, mechanical, technical, electronic, network or other errors or problems, including any errors or problems that may occur in connection with the administration of the Competition, the processing of entries, or in any other Competition-related materials. The Competition Parties may stop you from participating in this Competition if you violate Official Rules or act, in sole discretion: (a) in a manner USC X CBN determines to be not fair; (b) with an intent to annoy, threaten or harass any other entrant, winner or the Sponsor; or (c) in any other disruptive manner.