Gavin Carter is Peoples Choice in the pitch competition

Updated: October 27, 2023, 15:38

Kelsea Williams (left), Jache Adams, BEDC Chairs, Tanika and Gavin Carter, and Darryl Herrick and Kiara Somner of Global Atlantic Re (photo included)

Gavin Carter, the entrepreneur behind Gavins Butter, won the $25,000 People’s Choice Award in the Wave of Opportunity Pitch Competition.

The competition is the result of cooperation between the Global Atlantic Re foundation and the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation.

Carter won after two weeks of public voting.

He said: “We are very happy to receive this well-deserved recognition. This award is testament to the hard work, passion and dedication that the Gavins Butter team put into creating such an extraordinary product.

We would like to thank Global Atlantic Re and BEDC for organizing such an amazing event that provided us with a platform to showcase Gavin’s Butter. It was an honor for us to participate in the competition and stand out among other extremely talented entrepreneurs.

Darryl Herrick, CEO of Global Atlantic Re, said: “We want to congratulate Gavin and look forward to helping his company continue to grow and thrive on the island.

The significant vote share in the Peoples Choice Award is a tangible example of how the competition truly speaks to all Bermudians.

At Global Atlantic, we are sincerely grateful to all the entrepreneurs who participated and everyone who cast their vote, and we look forward to the next showcase event in 2025.

The Peoples Choice Award is part of a broader, multi-year partnership between BEDC and the Global Atlantic Re Foundation.

Together, they have committed to providing up to $150,000 every two years to Bermuda’s small business ecosystem through capital grants related to the Pitch Wave of Opportunity Competition.

They said the pitch competition provides an influential platform for entrepreneurs to present their ideas and compete for business support, not only financially, but also through mentoring and networking.

In the main competition, which took place on September 28, Tia Crockwell of OnSight Optometry, Kisha Tyrrell of Enzuri Beauty & Wellness and David O’Brien of Vida Fusions won the three top awards, while Sabriuna Wilkinson of Nurture Laiche received the Young Entrepreneur Award.

Each winner received a $25,000 grant to support their business ventures.

BEDC and the Global Atlantic Re Foundation said they are committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in Bermuda and encouraging all local entrepreneurs to engage in this transformation agenda in the future.