WILLEMSTAD – A new collaboration platform aimed at improving access to financing for entrepreneurs has been launched in Curaçao.
The initiative, called Financieringstafel @ the Harbour, was introduced by the incubator and innovation hub Blue Harbour City Curaçao during a presentation at the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
According to Blue Harbour City Curaçao, the platform is designed to bring together entrepreneurs, banks, investment funds and private investors to help businesses better prepare their plans for financing.
Access to capital remains one of the main challenges for startups, scale-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises on the island, the organization noted in a press release.
The Financieringstafel will provide guidance, selection processes and opportunities for entrepreneurs to present their projects directly to potential financiers. However, the platform itself will not provide funding.
In addition to these presentations, the initiative will organize thematic sessions focused on sectors considered important for Curaçao’s economic development. These include the circular economy, agro and food production, maritime activities and innovative solutions in areas such as energy, water and digitalization.
The first sessions and the evaluation of concrete business plans are expected to take place in the near future.