Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Small Biz Bootcamp Returns with Bold New Vision

July 29, 2025 – GEORGE TOWN, CAYMAN ISLANDS — The Caribbean Development
Bank’s (CDB) SheTrades Caribbean Regional Hub is collaborating with the Cayman
Islands Chamber of Commerce and the Cayman Islands Centre for Business
Development to host a flagship Small Biz Bootcamp—a dynamic, three-part training
series designed to empower women entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and
networks they need to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape. Registration
is now open for local women-led businesses.

This initiative also signals a revitalisation of the Small Biz Bootcamp of the Chamber
of Commerce, one of the joint focal points of the SheTrades Caribbean Hub. Together
with CDB’s SheTrades Caribbean Hub and the Cayman Islands Centre for Business
Development (CICBD), this year’s Bootcamp marks a bold step forward in fostering
inclusive economic growth and gender-responsive business development across the
Cayman Islands.

Kayanne Anderson, SheTrades Caribbean Regional Coordinator notes that “This
partnership with the CICC and CICBD marks an important and strategic step in our
efforts at SheTrades Caribbean and CDB to increase our support of women
entrepreneurs across the region to trade and export. The Hub’s work programme with
CICC and CICBD delivers more than training; it delivers opportunity, community and
impact.”

A Legacy Reimagined
Originally launched in 2016, the Cayman Islands Small Biz Bootcamp has helped
hundreds of local entrepreneurs tackle real-world challenges through practical, hands-
on training. Now, with a renewed focus on women in business, the programme draws
on the globally recognised SheTrades framework, connecting international best
practices with local expertise to deliver high-impact learning experiences.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy—and women are at the heart of
that story,” said Wil Pineau, CEO of the Chamber. “By relaunching the Small Biz
Bootcamp with a focus on women, we’re not just offering training—we’re building a
movement for inclusive, sustainable growth.”

Bootcamp Schedule & Highlights
All sessions will be held at the Chamber of Commerce offices in Governors
Square, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by networking and refreshments.
Participation is free, but registration is required.
Session 1: Financing Your Business for Growth

Date: Tuesday, August 6

Topics include:

* Accessing capital: grants, loans, and angel investors

• Budgeting and financial planning essentials

• Building creditworthiness and preparing financials

Register: https://web.caymanchamber.ky/atlas/events-v4/register/6413

Session 2: Marketing & Branding in the Digital Age
Date: Wednesday, August 7
Topics include:

• Crafting your brand story and value proposition
• Leveraging social media and digital platforms
• E-commerce and export-ready marketing strategies
  Register: https://web.caymanchamber.ky/atlas/events-v4/register/6414
  
• Session 3: Managing Operations & Preparing for Export
  Date: Thursday, August 8
  Topics include:
• Time and resource management for small teams
• Building efficient systems and supply chains
• Export readiness and entering new markets
  •
  •
  Register: https://web.caymanchamber.ky/atlas/events-v4/register/6415
  
• Who Should Attend?
• Aspiring and established female business owners
• Entrepreneurs looking to grow or expand
• Managers and professionals seeking operational or market access insights
  
• Why It Matters
  This initiative supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, and
  aligns with SheTrades Caribbean’s mission to connect Caribbean women to market
  opportunities, financing, and business networks.
  Bonus Features
• Post-session networking with refreshments
• Success stories from Cayman-based women entrepreneurs
• Access to local business resources and support services
• Invitation to join a follow-up mentorship programme
• 
  How to Participate
  Participation is free and open to all women entrepreneurs and managers in the
  Cayman Islands. Join the SheTrades Caribbean Hub and register today!
  Find out more at www.caymanchamber.ky
  
• Email Emily Sintorn at [email protected]
  
• Let’s build a stronger, more inclusive economy—together.
  Join the movement. Be part of SheTrades Caribbean – Cayman’s next wave of
  empowered women in business.
  END
  
• About the Caribbean Development Bank
  The Caribbean Development Bank is a regional financial institution established in 1970 to contribute to the harmonious economic growth and development of its Borrowing  its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) (BMCs). In addition to the 19 BMCs, CDB’s membership includes four regional, non-borrowing members,Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela, and five non-regional, non-borrowing members, Canada, China, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. CDB’s total assets in its Ordinary Capital Resources stood atUS$2.02 billion as at December 31, 2024, while it also manages US$1.40 billion of Special Funds Resources. The Bank is rated Aa1 Stable by Moody’s, AA+ Stable byStandard & Poor’s and AA+ Stable by Fitch Ratings. Learn more at caribank.org

• About She Trades Caribbean Hub
• The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) partnered to launch the SheTrades Caribbean Hub in September 2023. The SheTrades Initiative was established by the ITC in 2015 as a means to address gender disparities in trade and to promote women’s participation in international value chains. It aims to support women entrepreneurs from small businesses in developing countries, by raising the value of the international business they transact and diversifying the markets they access. The programme works through decentralised platforms, known as Hubs, to provide women entrepreneurs with tailored capacity building and business generation activities to improve their competitiveness andconnect them to new export markets.

The SheTrades Caribbean Regional Hub serves as a resource centre for women-led
businesses in CDB Client Countries where members benefit from a range of support
including access to webinars and e-learning materials, training workshops,
opportunities to participate in regional and international trade fairs and to attend
business networking events. For more information visit
www.caribank.org/shetrades