Caribbean startup accelerator TBR LAB is partnering with Visa to enable the proliferation of high-growth technology business ventures by driving the development and implementation of digital payment solutions in the English-speaking Caribbean.
“Startups and fintechs will benefit from easier access to the financial systems, as well as the scalability, reliability, interoperability and security insights Visa’s experience as a global payment network brings to the region’s financial technology ecosystem,” TechBeach said in a release announcing the partnership.
TBR LAB is an evolution of TechBeach, a multi-medium platform that bridges people and organisations positioned to evolve through technology with the roadmap, resources and skills to help them excel. TBR LAB provides a continuous development framework — including upskilling programmes, a startup accelerator, and workforce development — to enable enterprise organisations and governments to deploy impactful tech-driven solutions.
The accelerator programme for entrepreneurs, corporate innovators and government has a solid record with participation from over 50 startups and many of the largest corporations in the Caribbean.
“Our shared vision for accelerating digital transformation makes Visa a natural partner for TBR LAB,” said founder of TechBeach, Kirk-Anthony Hamilton.
“Joining forces empowers us to build bridges that yield increased investment, partnership and mentorship to radically transform the digital landscape of the Caribbean and emerging markets,” Hamilton added.
As programme partner, Visa will create opportunities through its Fintech Connect programme to design and promote innovation and the exchange of ideas with fintechs and technology startups to accelerate the development and implementation of digital payment solutions in the region.
Visa will support them through the Fintech FastTrack programme, which will help both new and established businesses leverage the speed, security, reliability and scale of the Visa network to get up and running quickly, taking the process from months to weeks. The programme provides turnkey access to Visa’s ecosystem partners, including licensing, APIs, as well as extensive go-to-market toolkits, online education and expert advice to help fintechs scale their business.
“The alliance with TBR LAB is an important step in Visa’s firm commitment to collaborate with enterprising fintechs and new technology-enabled businesses. This partnership is part of a broader effort to drive innovation in digital payments, money movement, lending and commerce, which will ultimately result in greater digital and financial inclusion in the Caribbean,” said Jorge Salum, Visa’s senior business development leader in the Caribbean.
Visa and TBR LAB will also work together to support and promote the Visa Everywhere Initiative, a global startup engagement programme that tasks start-ups to solve payment challenges of tomorrow, further enhance their own product proposition and provide visionary solutions for Visa and their vast network of partners. The open innovation programme helps startups unlock new opportunities — and provides startups with a global platform to demonstrate ground-breaking solutions.
The programme first launched in the US back in 2015 and has since expanded to every corner of the world, recruiting startups from over 100 countries. Over the past five years, more than 7,000 startups have participated, and they’ve collectively raised more than $2.5 billion in funding.
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