Twenty young adults have participated in the launch of the first-ever Ignite Bermuda Young Adult Entrepreneurial Internship Programme.

The programme, sponsored by HSBC Bank Bermuda, kicked off with a two-day “boot camp” alongside Ignite’s fourth cohort.

Ignite said the young adult participants were able to gain insight into the Ignite curriculum throughout the two days consisting of workshops covering topics of customer discovery, lean start-up, business modelling and more.

The intern cohort also got to guest judge for the accelerator programme’s pitch competition.

Abigail Brewer, one of the Ignite young adult interns, said: “Boot camp was an amazing experience that left me feeling motivated, inspired, and ready to take action. Thank you so much to HSBC for sponsoring such an impactful opportunity.”

Alicia Lister, Ignite alumni, internship co-project manager, founder of Royal Highness and co-founder of Wanderlust Explorers Ltd, added: “The Ignite Young Adult Entrepreneurial Internship is a foundational opportunity for Bermudians seeking to explore and develop their business passions.”

Ignite said the programme will enable participants to work alongside entrepreneurs in their start-ups while working on projects designed for them by their host mentor.

Intern and host business or organisation pairings were based on intern interests and skill sets that aligned with the host’s project brief.

Ms Lister added: “Our two-day boot camp experience with our inaugural intern cohort proved to be a great success, with complimentary placements into 16 different local businesses, and four non-profit organisations.”

Projects range from social media and pricing strategies, to store development and user experience.

Jen Ward, founder of Island Property News and host mentor, said: “I’m very excited to give back and work with young entrepreneurs just starting out on their journey.”

Over the next six weeks, interns will take part in workshops run by industry experts and Ignite alumni covering topics in marketing, Bermuda’s economic landscape, entrepreneurial mindset and more. They will also be working alongside their host mentor and gain access to the Ignite Hub to work on their internship and independent projects.

Ignite said its hope is that at the completion of the programme, interns will walk away with a better understanding of entrepreneurship and be able to take the skills learnt, knowledge gained, and mindset growth into all aspects of their lives.

Tinasia Paynter, a young adult intern, said: “Joining Ignite has so far been the best opportunity of my life. Not only do I get to network with some of the brightest people I have come across, but also people who have completely different interests and a common goal.

“I look forward to exploring through the ocean of knowledge that they will feed us and to see what brilliant idea I will be able to birth throughout the programme.”

Yasmeen Codrington-Edmead added: “Thank you to Ignite and HSBC for providing me with this amazing opportunity to not only grow my business, but myself as well.”

Ignite gave thanks to HSBC Bank Bermuda for supporting this initiative and further supporting the development of Bermuda’s young adults.

The young adult interns and host mentor businesses/organisations are:

Abigail Brewer – Dwayne Trott, Clean Energy Storage Solutions Bermuda Ltd.

Al-Shae Landy – Laura Ann Bell, Two Four One

Alvin-Ae Landy – Kim Caisey, KNC Media Group

Aminah Simmons – Alicia Lister, Royal Highness

Angel Seaman – Patrina O’Connor Paynter, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda

Chaella Douglas – Jen Ward, Island Property News/Inspired

Davita Githinji – Toriano Simmons, Rewards

Ellis Cooper – Clare Mello, Eliza DoLittle

G’zai Dyer – Jennifer Burland Adams, Wavecrest Ltd.

Hadleigh Tucker – Tracy Astwood, The Harvest Market Bermuda

Kanzi Emery – Kelly Madeiros, Solstice

Layla Kurt – Alexandra Mosher, Alexandra Mosher Studio Jewellery

Mya Furbert-Jacobs – Allison Lacoursiere, Clear Coaching

Sofhia Pagsanjan – Ann Spencer Arscott, Bermuda Red Cross

Tinasia Paynter – Claire McDevitt, Healthcare Solutions Ltd.

Tomei Talbot – Sean Reel, Ignite Bermuda

Xela Swan – Akilah Swan, Aina Curated

Yasmeen Codrington-Edmead – Anderica Gilbert, Bermuda Dental Studio

Zayne Sinclair – Chris Faria, The AgraLiving Institute

Alana Fischer - Richelle Richards, CAF Bermuda Art Therapy

For more information about Ignite Bermuda’s accelerator programme and young adult internship, see www.ignitebermuda.com