BizConnect Saint Lucia Lands Record U.S. Embassy Grant, Eyes OECS Expansion

In landmark win for local enterprise, BizConnect Saint Lucia has been awarded full funding from the U.S. Embassy in Barbados through the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), supplemented by additional backing from the America 250 initiative. The combined award sets a national record — the largest grant ever secured by a St. Lucian entrepreneur — and places program founder Michelle Samuel at the helm of a groundbreaking venture with regional ambitions.

The funding ensures that BizConnect’s pilot year is fully resourced while laying the groundwork for a multi-year expansion throughout the OECS.

“I will be working with incredible individuals and together we will execute this project. Ninety percent of them are Exchange Alumni as well as SLUDTERA Alumni,” Samuel noted. “Sharine Joseph, Mylica Amedee, Miranda George-Arthur and Team Orbtronics. Three more persons will soon be added, to make up the core team. BizConnect will transform how our entrepreneurs access American business models, mentorship, and partnerships. This is about fostering real economic resilience for Saint Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean.”

Envisioned as a dynamic digital hub, BizConnect Saint Lucia will offer entrepreneurs, NGOs, and underserved groups a direct line to U.S. expertise, high-level training, and cross-border collaboration. The platform’s goal: equip local businesses to grow, innovate, and reach international markets.

The AEIF is a competitive U.S. Department of State program that funds creative, alumni-led projects addressing pressing community needs while strengthening U.S.–partner nation ties. Samuel’s eligibility stems from her participation in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship and the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Saint Lucia — experiences that shaped her vision for BizConnect as a scalable solution to build business capacity in marginalized communities.

America 250, part of the United States’ preparations for its 250th anniversary in 2026, recognizes projects that deepen global connections. The additional funding allows Samuel, through her company SLUDTERA Inc., to chart a five-year roadmap that transitions BizConnect from a national pilot to an OECS-wide franchise model.

Phase One of the project will run from mid-September 2025 to August 31, 2026, featuring workshops, expert-led webinars, mentorship, and a custom-built digital platform developed by Orbtronics. Phase Two, scheduled from 2026 to 2030, will roll out the program across multiple OECS territories, creating a networked business ecosystem.

The official launch is planned for late October 2025, with representatives from the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Department traveling to Saint Lucia for the occasion.