Business: Its Two (in a Row) for NCU

JarGro, a smart appliance created to support the production of foods using natural LED plant light, and a built-in irrigation system (aeroponics), earned Northern Caribbean University their second consecutive victory in the National Business Model Competition at the Jamaica Conference Centre yesterday. Last year's winner Herboo, went on to place 8th (and best non-US team) at the international business model selection in the western US state of Utah.

Team members Colin Thorpe, David Smith and Craig Campbell walked away with a cheque of J$2 million and will be entering the international level of the competition in Utah, United States, in May.

The University of Technology team, Feevr, placed second, while NCU's Vitae came in third. The teams were awarded J$1 million and J$500,000, respectively, which will be used to assist in converting their business models into reality.

Digital Farms and Genius Software Programs and Electronics shared the fourth place prize of J$200,000.

The JArGro system, aimed at urban dwellers faced with serious space restrictions, uses 98 per cent less water and 70 per cent less fertilizer along with various sensors which enables it to process and act.

The system replicates the natural way plants grow thus providing all the attributes for the plant to strive and is built around a minimalistic concept that enables it to fit in one kitchen.

The NBMC is specially designed to encourage and promote the creative and innovative thinking of local students. It facilitates entrepreneurial skills and enhances collaboration and communication between the private sector stakeholders and education.

The competition is presented by the Development Bank of Jamaica, in association with the IDB, National Commercial Bank, GK Capital, Pan-Jam, the PSOJ, the ICD Group and US-based Alta Ventures.

Business:Final Hurdles for Biz Model hopefuls

The finish line - and boarding passes for a prize trip to Provo, Utah, are in sight for the participants in this year's National Business Model Competition, presented by the Development Bank of Jamaica with  a host of corporate sponsors (NCB, GK Capital, Pan-Jam and others).

The hopefuls gathered at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, to hear  and make presentations, and for the critical announcements of the finalists which include Vitae, Digital Farms, Genius, and JarGro.

They return to the waterfront site of the Conference Centre today, where only one will be left standing as far as the competition is concerned, but all see long-term futures for their businesses and products.

Business: This Year's "Models" line up for biz recognition

The 2nd annual Jamaica Business Model Competition, competed for amongst university-based entrepreneurial teams, officially got underway Thursday last, following a launch at the Development Bank of Jamaica offices n Kingston. In addition to the DBJ, the competition is presented by Sponsors  IDB, National Commercial Bank, Pan-Jam Investments and GK Capital

 The winner, to be chosen from some 12 teams representing 3 tertiary institutions, the UWI, UTech and Northern Caribbean University (NCU), will again be taken to Provo, Utah yo compete in the IBMC at the famed Brigham Young University. Jamaica’s National Business Model Competition 2014 winner – Herboo Enterprises - placed 8th, out of a total of 42 teams in the finals of the International Business Model Competition that took place in Salt Lake City, Utah from May 1 - 3.  The local team was also awarded the International Business Model Award. They won a total of US$ 6,000.00. The principals, along with runner-up NCR Lamb, were present at the launch

The IBMC is currently co-hosted by Brigham Young University, Harvard University, and Stanford University.  This year’s event was held at Brigham Young University in Utah, and teams from universities worldwide, competed for the prestigious award of IBMC trophy and cash prize of US$25,000.

This was the first time that Jamaica has participated in the International Business Model Competition and is the culmination of six months of intense work.

Business Modelling is a relatively new phenomenon that is geared at reducing the failure rate of start-up businesses.  It focuses on identifying and precisely defining the assumptions of the new venture, testing those assumptions in the field, and then pivoting (changing) based on the lessons learned.

Autos: MINI Scores Big in Geneva

The British premium brand MINI is presented at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show with new diversity in its model program and fresh accents for individual style and extreme driving fun. The new models on show further extend the breadth of the MINI experience, characterised by strikingly expressive design, agile handling and premium quality. Seeing its world premiere at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the new MINI Countryman Park Lane embodies the strengths of the five-seater all-rounder more impressively than ever with its four doors, large tailgate and optional all-wheel drive system ALL4. The edition model's exclusive design and equipment features highlight the variable space concept of the MINI Countryman as well as its athletic flair on all types of terrain. Another new member of the MINI family enriches everyday traffic with a dash of irresistible driving fun: the new MINI John Cooper Works unleashes pure passion for performance – not least thanks to 55 years of motor racing experience and an engine which is more powerful than any ever used in one of the brand's serial production models.

The MINI John Cooper Works is the latest and fastest new model since the original in the small car premium segment saw a change of generation. Its body concept is based on the new MINI 3 door, which is now taking the roads of the world by storm itself with its increased athletic flair and efficiency, optimised ride comfort, increased interior space and innovative equipment features. Likewise presented to visitors at the Geneva Motor Show from March 5th - 15th 2015, the new MINI 5 door meets the need for additional space and convenient entry to the rear.

Versatile, individual, exclusive: the new MINI Countryman Park Lane. 
MINI has entered a new phase of its success story by venturing into the premium compact segment. The MINI Countryman combines the brand's distinctive style with a generous and versatile interior. The characteristic MINI agility in terms of drive response is experienced in a new way due to the raised seating position and gains a fascinating added dimension in conjunction with the optional all-wheel drive system ALL4. The new MINI Countryman Park Lane epitomises the versatile qualities of this all-round talent more attractively and exclusively than ever before.

Its high-quality individual style is underscored by a design and colour concept developed especially for the edition model. The body finish in Earl Grey metallic is combined with the entirely new colour variant Oak Red for the roof and exterior mirror caps as well sport stripes in the same colour as an optional extra. The MINI Countryman Park Lane boldly accentuates its classic athletic character with 18-inch light alloy wheels in Turbo Fan Dark Grey design and the MINI ALL4 Exterior visual package including silver body elements for the front and rear apron as well as the side sills. Emblems on the side scuttles and cockpit surface bear the inscription "Park Lane" as do the entry sills. The interior surfaces in Cross Stripe Grey were likewise designed exclusively for the MINI Countryman Park Lane. These go together with the inlay colour Carbon Black for the door trim and centre console to create a sports-style premium ambience in the interior.

The MINI Countryman Park Lane is optionally available with the all-wheel drive system ALL4 in all model variants. The edition model can also be combined with a particularly high-end equipment package. As the MINI Countryman Park Lane Chili, the all-rounder's additional features include LED fog lamps, sports seats in fabric/leather, automatic air conditioning, the Sport Button, a rain sensor with automatic driving light control, sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and a storage and lighting package.