CONGRATS TO OUR 2026 FINALISTS
The Top 3 Finalists: Win The Ultimate Getaway & Spot to pitch LIVE for the Grand Prize aboard Ubersoca Cruise (Sailing Oct 27- Nov 1, 2026)
Magdala Noel
CEO/Founder, Hand in Hand Speech Therapy
Magdala Noel is the founder of Hand in Hand Speech Therapy LLC, a mobile and community-based private practice delivering evidence-based pediatric speech and language services across Long Island, New York City, and surrounding areas. Rooted in the belief that every child's voice matters, Magdala and her team meet children exactly where they are — in the places where they learn, play, and grow — offering expert care through spoken words, sign language, and alternative communication systems. What makes Hand in Hand truly unique is its whole-family philosophy: rather than simply treating children, they walk alongside families, honoring each child's individual strengths, cultural background, and communication journey to celebrate every milestone, from first words to full conversations.
Keegan Simon
Founder, 1ndividual Aesthetic
Randy and Shauna Vo Pulayya are the husband-and-wife co-founders of West Indies Pepper Sauce (WIPS) — a premium, vegan, non-GMO Caribbean hot sauce brand built on a mission to preserve the rich food culture of the Caribbean and West Indies for future generations. Randy, a first-generation Guyanese American raised in Richmond Hill, Queens — the heart of Little Guyana — drew inspiration from four generations of family recipes passed down by his grandmother and mother, while Shauna, a Vietnamese-American born in Arkansas, brings her background in e-commerce, logistics, and sourcing to power the business side of the brand. Together, having lived across Vietnam and South Korea and traveled to over 60 countries across six continents, they have built WIPS into a nationally shipping brand sold on Amazon and at markets across the U.S., with their sights firmly set on major retail shelves — on a mission to make sure Caribbean flavor and culture never gets left behind.
Shauna + Randy Pulayya
coFounders, WIPS
Randy and Shauna Vo Pulayya are the husband-and-wife co-founders of West Indies Pepper Sauce (WIPS) — a premium, vegan, non-GMO Caribbean hot sauce brand built on a mission to preserve the rich food culture of the Caribbean and West Indies for future generations. Randy, a first-generation Guyanese American raised in Richmond Hill, Queens — the heart of Little Guyana — drew inspiration from four generations of family recipes passed down by his grandmother and mother, while Shauna, a Vietnamese-American born in Arkansas, brings her background in e-commerce, logistics, and sourcing to power the business side of the brand. Together, having lived across Vietnam and South Korea and traveled to over 60 countries across six continents, they have built WIPS into a nationally shipping brand sold on Amazon and at markets across the U.S., with their sights firmly set on major retail shelves — on a mission to make sure Caribbean flavor and culture never gets left behind.
2026 Live Pitch Competition: June 30th
2026 Live Pitch Competition: June 30th
Congrats to all Pitch Semi-Finalists!
Meet Our Official Judges
About the Pitch Competition
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!
Top 8 SemiFinalists Pitch LIVE: Virtual + in New York City (A hybrid experience)
The Top 3 Finalists: Win The Ultimate Getaway & Spot to pitch LIVE for the Grand Prize aboard Ubersoca Cruise (Sailing Oct 27- Nov 1, 2026)
Top 3 Finalists Gain:
✔️ 5 Night - Cabin for 2 (Fees + T&Cs apply)
✔️ Pitch Event promoted via Cruise Marketing Assets
Pitch Competition Submission Process
Eligibility Rules:
Applicants must be a registered business or in the process of registration. (any country/location)
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be Caribbean majority-owned minority business (51%+ ownership).
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.