(Port-au-Prince, Haiti) May 10, 2019 – The United States Embassy in Haiti is hosting its second annual workshop known as “Tech Camp Soley” as part of the Embassy’s on-going efforts to promote entrepreneurship and expand the professional networks of Haiti’s young entrepreneurs. Featuring 30 participants from Cité Soleil, Bel Air, and Martissant, this edition of Tech Camp will address the growing challenge of gang violence, and bring together representatives of Haitian civil society, the private sector, and government to engage with the youth, and share best practices on technology and social enterprise.
Designed as a hands-on, participant-driven workshop, Tech Camp Soley pairs participants with experts, many of whom are community leaders or self-made Haitian entrepreneurs, to identify real-world challenges in creating a business, and how to apply technological solutions for the best results. The participants will be trained on presentation skills and how to “pitch” their business plan to others. The types of small businesses represented at Tech Camp Soley include t-shirt printing, artwork, morenga transformation, and raising chickens.
During Tech Camp Soley’s launch on May 9, U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Michele Sison stated, “Haiti’s greatest resource is its young people. The U.S. Embassy is proud to launch Tech Camp Soley, where private sector and civil society are working to ensure that young entrepreneurs from Cite Soleil, Belair, and Martissant have the support they need to contribute to Haiti’s economic growth.”
Over the past year, the U.S. Embassy has invested in programs such as Haiti Tech Summit, Tech Camp Okay, and the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) in efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and economic growth, two key priority areas for both Haiti and the United States. At the Tech Camp, Ambassador Sison also announced the launch of a new State Department initiative in Haiti, “The Academy of Women Entrepreneurs” (AWE), which is designed to provide resources, mentorship, and support to women entrepreneurs in Haiti.
Other efforts to support Haitian entrepreneurs include USAID’s LEVE project, which provides support to over 1,000 businesses that have created over 27, 000 jobs in key sectors such as agri-business, construction, and garment/textile. Finally, we are proud sponsors of the Haiti Tech Summit, and are welcoming Haitian entrepreneurs from across the country to apply to participate in the Haiti Tech Summit 19, June 20-22. Interested applicants should apply here: http://ow.ly/SoGc50u5jGk
Through all these initiatives, the United States is proud to contribute to an ecosystem of successful Haitian entrepreneurs, and to work towards greater resiliency and prosperity for Haiti.
