Caribbean’s New Digital Accelerator Is Reimagining How Startups and Corporations Work Together

Set to launch at the Caribbean Investment Forum in July, the program flips the script on acceleration and puts partnerships first.

By SiliconCaribe Press Release Desk

In a region brimming with untapped tech talent, the next big wave of innovation may not come from pitch decks or proof-of-concepts, but from partnerships with purpose.

That’s the bet behind a new digital accelerator launching next month at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) in Montego Bay, Jamaica. But unlike traditional startup accelerators that push founders through a rigid curriculum, this programme takes a different approach: It starts with a real problem and works backward.

“We don’t accelerate companies—we accelerate partnerships,” says Leo Naut, deputy executive director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, the organization spearheading the initiative.

Here’s how it works: Corporations ranging from banks and logistics companies to tourism operators post their pressing tech challenges to a digital matchmaking platform. Startups from across the Caribbean and Latin America respond by pitching existing solutions. When a match is made, the partnership begins, complete with support to build a business case, develop a proof of concept, and, if the solution has scale potential, access investor funding.

The move signals a clear evolution in how the Caribbean is thinking about startup support. It’s no longer about flashy concepts, it’s about market-ready ventures solving real problems.

This year’s CIF, happening July 29–31, is doubling down on that shift. In past editions, investors were met with early-stage pitches missing key details like ROI projections or go-to-market plans. “We heard the feedback,” says Naut. “Now we’re building the backend so investors can make real decisions based on real data.”

To strengthen the model, Caribbean Export has partnered with TechNavia, Spain’s largest research centre, and UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, to prepare startups with solid documentation, financials, and strategic clarity.

The programme, called Digital Connecters Jamaica, will kick off with a live event during CIF, where startups will meet directly with corporate partners. It’s designed for startups that already have a product and are looking to scale through smart collaboration, not just funding.

Why does this matter? Because in the Caribbean and in many emerging markets startups don’t just need capital. They need market access and enterprise-level validation. A partnership with a major regional bank or logistics firm can be worth more than a seed round. It opens doors, gives proof, and helps build traction.

And if the Caribbean can turn these startup-corporate connections into a repeatable model, it could become a blueprint for emerging economies seeking to build innovation ecosystems that actually work.