Entrepreneurs' Selection Assessment Announced for New Branson Centre Caribbean

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, June 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Applications for the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship Caribbean closed earlier this month and, after attracting over 5,000 visits to the Centre's website, 20 hopefuls have now been invited to attend a special assessment day with Virgin Holidays and Virgin Unite on 4^th July 2011, to demonstrate if they have what it takes to be the 'Caribbean Richard Branson'.

The Centre, a collaboration between Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group and Virgin Holidays, the UK's number one long haul holiday company, will open this September in Montego Bay, and will support local entrepreneurs to create and grow small businesses, ultimately generating jobs for the region.

July's assessment day will be attended by Amanda Wills, Virgin Holidays' Managing Director and Virgin Unite's CEO, Jean Oelwang, as well as the Branson Centre - Caribbean team itself. Candidates will be required to take part in a series of interviews, pitches and group exercises before being notified later in the month as to whether they have been successful.

The Branson Centre's mission is a comprehensive one. Rather than attempting to teach 'entrepreneurship', it will seek to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with practical business skills, mentors to share their experiences and access to financing opportunities to enable growth. In doing so, it will support the sustainable development of small businesses and jobs in the Caribbean. Jamaican entrepreneur Patrick Casserly will lead the centre as Interim Chairman.

Virgin Holidays, which sends hundreds of thousands of customers to the Caribbean each year, is the lead business sponsor of the Centre and has committed almost $3.5 million over the next decade to support the initiative. Managing Director, Amanda Wills, comments: "We're delighted with the number of applications we've received and I can't wait to meet our aspiring entrepreneurs next month.

"However, although applications have closed, the door remains open to businesses and mentors to get involved. We would love to hear from experienced entrepreneurs who believe they can contribute to this fantastic initiative - whether by donating time, expertise or seed funding - and urge anyone who wants to know more to get in touch so they can help nurture the new business ideas that will form the future of tourism in the Caribbean."

The Branson Centre's Chief Development Director, Lisa Lake said: "It's a really exciting time for the Branson Centre - Caribbean. We are eager to support high-potential entrepreneurs that can make a huge difference not only to their immediate families and communities, but also to the Caribbean's economic growth in the long term. Entrepreneurs need a variety of support mechanisms and we are looking for others to join us in this initiative to bring about real impact."

Virgin Unite CEO, Jean Oelwang, comments: "We are really looking forward to working with some great entrepreneurs in the Caribbean.  We've got a fabulous team at the Branson Centre who will ensure that these budding businesses turn out to be great success stories.  We would love to join forces with partners and business leaders who share in this exciting vision to help create thousands of new jobs in the Caribbean."

For more information on getting involved in the Centre as a business or mentor visit http://www.bransoncentre.org/caribbean or email: enquiries.caribbean@bransoncentre.org

About Virgin Unite:

Virgin Unite is the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group. We unite people to tackle tough social and environmental problems in an entrepreneurial way. Our aim is to help revolutionize the way businesses, government and the social sector work together - driving business as a force for good.  This is based on the belief that this is the only way we can tackle the scale and urgency of the challenges facing the world today. Virgin Unite's overheads are covered by Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, meaning that 100% of additional donations received go direct to the frontline where they are needed most. For more information please visit http://www.virginunite.com.

Follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/virginunite  

Join the movement on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Virgin-Unite  

The  first  Branson  Centre  of  Entrepreneurship  was  launched  in  Johannesburg,  South  Africa  in 2006, and has seen an array  of successful businesses  funded,  thrive and grow. These range from IT, fashion designers, and a bespoke uniform supplier to small hotels to a gaming business that equips young people with computer skills, as well as providing a safe environment for them to play the latest video games. These businesses have created jobs in their local communities and inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs.

About Virgin Holidays:

Virgin Holidays is the UK's leading Worldwide Holiday Company with all inclusive holidays, last minute holidays and beach holidays. Offering adventures to the USA, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle and Far East, the Indian Ocean and Australasia. 

As one of the top travel companies in the UK, Virgin Holidays strives to deliver amazing holiday experiences to all customers. Formed in 1985 following the creation of Virgin Atlantic, and built on the  Virgin  principles  of  excellent  customer  service,  high  quality  and  value  for  money,  Virgin Holidays offers maximum convenience and  flexibility  with  an emphasis  on  fun and excitement.

The  brand  is  particularly  known  for  its  'brilliant  basics  and  magic  touches'  approach  and  is synonymous with honesty and reliability. The company is proud of its commitment to encouraging sustainability  in  travel  and  has  led  the  market  in  introducing  numerous  innovations  to  ensure customers 'give back' to the destinations they visit. For more information please visit http://www.virginholidays.co.uk.