An initiative from:
An initiative from:
Research your costs, identify your builders, and apply for exactly what your prototype needs. Up to $40,000 USD to develop or test your MVP across the Caribbean.
Applications close: October 30th 2026, 23:59 ECT
The Prototype Grant Competition funds up to two external service providers to develop or test your MVP over six months, plus coaching from a Conecta Caribbean ESO you partner with for your prototype.We handle the payments, funds go straight to your service providers, so you can focus on building.
Research your costs before you apply. The grant covers up to $40,000 USD, but you apply for exactly what your service providers will charge, not a round number.
Funds go directly to the service providers who build your prototype, such as, but not limited to, a developer, designer, researcher, or agency. We manage the payments for you.
A Conecta Caribbean ESO you choose to work with will mentor you through the whole build, from December to May, as your prototype takes shape.
Climate-smart agriculture, food security, blue economy, or biodiversity solutions.
Energy, water, mobility, logistics, or digital infrastructure solutions that build resilience.
Fintech, access to finance, digital payments, or solutions for underserved populations.
Accessible healthcare, digital health, prevention, or community resilience solutions.
Skills development, workforce innovation, or future-of-work solutions.
Submit your pitch deck, budget, and the letters from each service provider, by October 30th.
The Bridge for Billions team reviews each application for completeness, then selects the strongest to pitch.
Those selected will present to an independent jury on November 23rd and 24th.
From December to May, your providers build your prototype and your ESO coaches you
through it.
Interested in learning more about Conecta Caribbean? Join an informative session co-hosted by IDB Lab and Bridge for Billions to learn about the program vision, ESO journey, benefits and the application process.
Friday 12 December at 10am ET.
Book a call to learn more about Conecta Africa and whether it’s the next big opportunity for your ESO!
Phase 1: Selecting Conecta Africa ESOs
We are looking for 25 pioneering ESOs who share our purpose in Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Nigeria
January-April 2025
Phase 2: Conecta Africa Summit
A Retreat for ESO Leaders to connect, learn and collaborate, followed by an ecosystem-wide event with public and private actors.
May 27th-30th 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya
Phase 3: Conecta Academy
Receive capacity building to enhance your organizational capacity, efficiency, and sustainability and get ready to launch the incubation program.
June 2025 – September 2025
Phase 4: Incubation Program
October 2025 – February 2026
Phase 5: Celebration event and Impact Reporting for Y1
February – April 2026
You don’t have to do this alone. Get in touch with one of the Conecta Caribbean ESOs. The ESO you partner with will support you through your application and coach you across the six-month build. Find your ESO.
No. Funds are paid directly to your service providers, never to your personal or company account.
An Entrepreneurship Support Organisation a Conecta Caribbean partner that coaches you through the build, from November to April.
Getting in touch with an ESO is a simple first step, it is not the application itself. Choose a Conecta Caribbean ESO from the list, send a short message expressing your interest, and agree to work together on your prototype coaching. You can use this template:
Subject: Interest in the Conecta Caribbean Prototype Grant Competition
Dear [ESO name], my name is [your name] and I am the founder of [venture]. I am interested in applying to the Conecta Caribbean Prototype Grant Competition, which requires partnering with a Conecta Caribbean ESO for prototype coaching. I would welcome the opportunity to work with you and would be glad to arrange a short conversation. Kind regards, [your name] — [contact details].
Find your ESO: [link to the ESO list]
The developer, designer, researcher or agency you hire to actually build or test your prototype. You can identify up to two.
Yes. You may apply provided that the specific product or MVP you are pitching is not yet generating revenue. Existing revenue from a separate product does not affect your eligibility.
If you are not selected, you can reapply in a future round of Conecta Caribbean.
No. Jury members are independent from the ESOs coaching applicants, to keep scoring impartial.
Contact us to learn more about Conecta Caribbean
Conecta is an initiative led by Bridge for Billions that seeks to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem worldwide through the training of incubators and the support of industry leaders.
Entra a far parte di una comunità di Organizzazioni di Supporto all’Imprenditoria e acquisisci nuove competenze per supportare l’imprenditoria migrante in Italia.
