Kingston Creative bets on Jamaica’s next wave of innovators

Applications open for Creative Entrepreneurs to join Createch Incubator

Jamaica’s creative economy is a major economic driver, contributing an estimated JMD $107 billion to the economy, which is 5.1% of the country’s GDP. In an effort to increase innovation and drive growth in the Creative Economy, Kingston Creative is proud to announce the launch of the Createch Incubator. 

This is an incubation programme designed to equip early-stage creative entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to build innovative, impact-driven ventures that leverage AI and new technologies. The Createch Incubator is delivered as part of Conecta Caribbean, an initiative of the CARIBEquity Facility co-funded by IDB Lab and the European Union.  

The partners are uniting Entrepreneurship Support Organisations (ESOs) across 15 Caribbean nations in a simultaneous incubation experience. The programme will run from July through November 2026, with training sessions, mentoring and culminating in a Demo Day. This is a Pitch Competition where selected graduates will present their ventures to investors, ecosystem partners, and regional stakeholders and will be able to win grant funds for their businesses.

The Createch Incubator is for entrepreneurs in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) (including film, literature, visual and performing arts, fashion, crafts, music and festivals). Over four months, they will cover problem identification, customer discovery, value proposition, business model design and financial sustainability. In addition, training in AI and new digital technologies will be delivered to ensure that creatives are applying technology to their businesses.

The programme is free of charge for all selected participants and includes one-on-one mentorship with experienced business professionals, as well as access to the Bridge for Billions digital platform. Benefits also include a structured online curriculum, capacity-building workshops, cohort learning sessions, and connections to a regional network of entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem partners. 

“We’re excited to be a part of the Conecta Caribbean initiative, which is helping to standardise startup training across the region,” said Bianca Welds, Kingston Creative’s new Head of Projects & Partnerships. “Createch is the only creative industry incubator in this cohort, and Jamaican creatives will benefit tremendously from the regional reach of the programme.” 

Applications are now open and will close on June 30, 2026. The incubation programme runs from July through November 2026, and the Createch Pitch Competition will be held in November 2026.