ICT Pulse Podcast

In this podcast episode, we talk with Bria Deveaux, the Equities Coordinator, and D'Arcy Rahming Jr, the Chief Technology Officer, of ArawakX Pan Caribbean Securities Exchange, an online platform in the Bahamas that facilitates equity crowdfunding for businesses.

During our conversation, we discuss, among other things:

• the services ArawakX offers, and how it leverages technology;
• the types of businesses that can seek funding, and how to become an investor; and
• whether ArawakX intends to extend its services to Caribbean businesses and Caribbean investors.

The episode and show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

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Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is one of the fastest growing areas leveraging blockchain technology, and has begun to open a broad range of opportunities, especially as it relates to the trade of digital assets. Blockchain Architect and CEO of 876 Solutions, Trevor Forrest, explains:

• what NFTs are;
• why they are such an important development; and
• what might be the opportunity for the Caribbean region.

The episode and show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Do subscribe and leave us a review!

Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Nicholas Kee is a young tech entrepreneur and youth advocate, who has a background in software engineering, but has worked on a variety of international projects. In recent years, he has stepped away from the NGO space to launch some exciting projects, such as Kee Farms along with other innovative ventures.

As a young techie, Nicholas offers a unique perspective on how he sees the world, what could be his life's work, and how he can contribute to the world over the long term.

The episode and show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Do subscribe and leave us a review!

Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

In the October 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Kerrie-Ann Vassall-Richards and Steven Williams, the panel discusses:

• Has the shrinking of the global marketplace made digital transformation mandatory in the Caribbean; and
• Have Caribbean businesses become overly dependent on social media for their business presence online?

The episode and show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Do subscribe and leave us a review!

Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Girls In Tech Guyana is a chapter of the global non-profit, Girls in Tech, which is dedicated to eliminating the gender gap in tech.

In this a new episode in our conversations with tech-based social enterprises, we speak with Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran, the Managing Director of Girls In Tech Guyana, on among other things:

• her journey to lead a tech non-profit;
• the sustainability of Girls in Tech Guyana, and
• what it will take to truly move the needle on eliminating the gender gap in tech.

Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/

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Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Over the past several years, Caribbean governments have been engaged in public sector transformation programmes and initiatives to better leverage ICT. However, in many instances, the effort seems open-ended with few concrete outcomes, and the speed of change appears to lag behind that of the society. An exception appears to be the digital transformation programme of the Government the Bahamas, which has been realising a number of successes and milestone achievements.

Michael Hamilton, the Programme Coordinator of the Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness programme for the Government the Bahamas discusses:

• the programme and what it hopes to achieve;
• some of its successes to date;
• how the success of the programme will be measured; and
• what new developments we should expect in the no-too-distant future.

Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/

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Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

In the September 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Carolyn Ferguson and Liselle Yorke, the panel discusses:

• Using technology to enhance accessibility to online education for persons with learning impairments, for discussion; and
• Expanding horizons: how technology is building new connections and opportunities for Caribbean youth.

Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/

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Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Launching or growing a business is challenging at the best of times, but during a pandemic, it may be unfathomable.

Melarka Williams, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ingenuity Technologies and TheHive Freelancing, discusses his entrepreneurial journey to date, including:

• how Ingenuity Technologies has fared over the past 18 months;
• why he decided to launch a new venture in the middle of the pandemic; and
• how he is able to manage two very distinct tech businesses.

Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/

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Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Although digital transformation has been widely discussed and encouraged, there still seems to be a lot of misinformation on the subject, which affects the way organisations approach the process. Nadia Byer-Thomas, of 800 TECH, seeks to dispel key myths around digital transformation. In this episode, seven myths are tackled.

Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/

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Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Can true digital natives thrive in our traditional education system of the Caribbean? The short answer is no.

The technology-based social enterprise, WE CODE CARIBBEAN, seeks to give Caribbean youth the requisite tools to be absolutely disruptive. In our conversation with WE CODE CARIBBEAN's Founder and CEO, Safiya Olugbala, she discusses:

• her journey to start WE CODE CARIBBEAN;
• the ways in which the organisation is leveraging technology;
• how as an NGO WE CODE CARIBBEAN is addressing profitability/sustainability; and
• what she hopes the organisation will achieve.

Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/

Do subscribe and leave us a review!

Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez