International Development Grant

Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean

Project Number: CA-3-A034806001

Status: Closed

Country/Region: Unknown

Regional Focus:

West Indies 100%

Maximum Contribution: $20,000,000.00

Start Date: May 03, 2010

End Date: May 31, 2019

Duration: 9.1 years

Project Description

The Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC) is an initiative aimed at developing a regional network of business incubators and through them grow small and micro businesses in the region. EPIC is being delivered using three linked components: (1) support and expand the Caribbean network of business incubators; (2) upgrade incubator manager skills and provide resources for regional policy makers; and (3) develop a regional microbusiness and small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) seed fund.

Expected Results

EPIC's expected outcomes include: (1) a strengthened and expanded regional business incubator association; (2) improved performance gender-responsiveness and sustainability of business incubators across the Caribbean; and (3) enhanced competitiveness and sustainability of MSMEs in the Caribbean.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of March 2016 include: (1) built the capacity of more than 200 climate mobile applications and women entrepreneurs; (2) implemented two Business incubation management trainings and three Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development workshops; (3) achieved three equity investments and one small loan through the angel groups; (4) launched the Women Innovators Network of the Caribbean (WINC) Acceleration program for 120 female entrepreneurs; and (5) designed the Caribbean Investment Facilitation Program. These results have continued to strengthening and expanding the network of business enablers as well as enhancing competitiveness of entrepreneurs in the region.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
IBRD Trust Funds - World Bank

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
NGM Americas

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Business support services and institutions 20%
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development 80%

Aid Type: Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds managed by implementing partners

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Level 1 ICT as a tool for development
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2010-04-01 to 2011-03-31 $20,000,000 CAD
Geographic Information
000
Project Number: CA-3-A034806001