Seventeen aspiring entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 25 have been selected to participate in the Young Adult Entrepreneurial Internship programme presented by Ignite Bermuda, the privately funded entrepreneurial accelerator.

The eight-week programme, now in its third year, is supported by HSBC Group and HSBC Bank Bermuda.

It supports local entrepreneurship through workshops with industry experts and project-based internships within some of Bermuda’s top start-ups, all Ignite entrepreneurs.

After identifying a gap in internship opportunities for aspiring young entrepreneurs, Ignite said, the programme was created to provide real-world entrepreneurial experience and knowledge without requiring the launch of their own businesses.

The programme began with a two-day boot camp alongside Ignite’s cohort seven, designed to provide a taste of the Ignite experience and to set the foundation for the weeks ahead.

Interns learn about a number of relevant topics, such as customer discovery, mindset and behaviours, value proposition, pitching and persuading and business modelling.

Intern Zakiyyah Showers said: “After the first two days of boot camp, I feel very excited to get started and connected with Ignite. Overall just growing in an entrepreneurial environment that’ll allow me to learn and give me the confidence and tools I need to be the best me.”

Fellow intern Raina (Sunshine) deFontes said: “Ignite is not at all what I had imagined it would be. In just the three days I have been at Ignite, I have already collected over five plus valuable connections for me to meet with to aid my own personal journey. ”

Portia McGhie, also an intern, added: “Ignite is a one-of-a-kind experience that’s left me with needed tools to succeed not only in the business world but within my own personal life.”

The programme is to run until August 31. Over the next six weeks, Ignite said, interns will work with a host start-up and its lead entrepreneur, while participating in weekly workshops on key topics to apply during their internship, as well as in the future with their own ventures.

Antonia Holder, founder of DigiRoo and Kid’s Digital Wellness, and a host entrepreneur, said: “The Ignite internship is an additional layer of the entrepreneur ecosystem that they have so thoughtfully curated for us.

“Personally, as a CEO of a start-up that does not yet have any full-time staff, there is always a never-ending to-do list. I understand the value of exposure and experience when you're trying to do something you've never done before.

“Therefore, this internship programme is a great way for both myself and my newly paired intern to mutually benefit from working together in this season.

“I want to offer her a meaningful experience, and I'm sure she will challenge me to better acquaint myself with what it truly means to manage ‘employees’, which is why understanding each other's goals from the beginning is vital. We are already off to a great start.”

Tanya Bule, head of wealth and personal banking at HBSC, said: “Working with the young people of Bermuda through the Ignite Young Adult Programme is always one of the highlights of the summer.

“Listening to Bermuda’s young adults articulate their vision for their ideas, present future and current business ideas as well as working with them in a coaching and advisory capacity gives me great pride and confidence in the future of Bermuda’s businesses.”

She added: “This programme continues to be one of the cornerstones of creating strong new businesses in Bermuda. Our economy and our culture are benefiting from the business that these young people are creating and the structure that Ignite provides the participants is paramount to their success.”

Ignite Bermuda said it is grateful for the support from HSBC Group and HSBC Bank Bermuda, for both their financial contribution and their continued commitment in supporting Bermuda’s young adults through their insightful staff involvement during its workshop events.

The young adult interns and their host mentor business or organisations, are: Aaron Booth, Jennifer Burland Adams and Claire McDevitt at Solvo; Chaella Bradshaw-Douglas, Antonia Holder at DigiRoo; Dominic Sabir, Tyka Edness at ate@8 and Soo Nut Sharing; Elisha Thomas, Surlena Smith at Ponda Pits; Jaavaid Warren-Smith and Dwayne Trott at Clean Energy Storage Solutions; Jessie DeBraga and Holly Mazar-Fox at Mazar-Fox Art Consulting; Kesay Bell and Kimwana Eve at LookieLookie; Monique Waite and Jermain Hinds at Hindssight Fitness & Wellness; Nathaniel Binega-Northcott and Erica Marx at Erica Marx Coaching; Portia McGhie, and Melissa Looby at Pulse Group; Raina deFontes, Kimberly and Nicholas Darceuil at Dignity House; Sanaa Connor and Alexis Bean at Big Girl Panties; Sha-Lae Cooper and Rochelle Minors at Rochelle Nicole; Tiko Caines and Sandro Fubler at Evolution; Zahn Richardson and Patrina O’Connor-Paynter at Big Brothers Big Sisters; Zakiyyah Showers and Jessica Lightbourne at Jessica Lightbourne Coaching; Zen Marley Mello and Tiffany Paynter at Soham.