#Highlights from AY 2016/17 - ACRM Business Team place 6th at UTech, Ja Business Model Competition

Published: Monday | May 29, 2017 | ACRM News Desk


ACRM Vice President Mr. Rowen A. Johson (right) and Former ACRM President Mr Kemo Fong (3rd right) of team Reggae Trips discuss their idea with Mrs. Patricia Sutherland (2nd right), Chairman, Joan Duncan Foundation. Listening in from left are Mrs. Jacqueline Knight-Campbell, Marketing Chair, UTech, Ja. Business Model Competition and Mr. Micheal Steele, Head, JDSEEL and competition Chairman.

The ACRM Business Team comprised of Vice President, Mr. Rowen A. Johnson and former ACRM President Mr. Kemo Fong, placed 6th at the 2016/17 UTech, Ja Business Model Competition. The UTech, Ja Business Model Competition which was in its fourth year, sees students from all faculties across the University, pitch their innovative ideas for a chance to win over half a million dollars in cash and prizes, as well as a place in the finals of the National Business Model Competition, wher they would compete for a cash prize of some J$2 million.

Johnson and Fong were bidding to create a website that allowed Jamaicans to offer tours to visitors to the island. They wanted to take advantage of the multi-billion dollar Adventure Tourism market, while at the same time empower average Jamaicans to be able to earn a living from their way of life and their own creativity. They called their tourism innovation, Reggae Trips, and their tag line was “Go Local.


Pictured above, a focused Colin Fuller-Bennett who mentored the Reggae Trips team throughout the competition

The pair did not walk away empty handed however, as they were awarded a cash prize for beating out most of the competition, and making it all the way to the finals. They were effusive in their praise for their mentor and friend Colin Fuller-Bennett, who guided them with the development of their business idea, throughout the duration of the competition, and credited him as one of the major reasons why they were able to advance that far.


The team of Johnson, Fong and Fuller-Bennett have all expressed their desire to pursue their idea beyond the competition, thus we look forward to seeing the trio bring Reggae Trips to fruition, in the very near future. 

The African Cultural Renaissance Movement is the oldest Pan African Organization among tertiary institutions. The organization was formed in 1971 and has as its main mission to promote African Culture on campus.

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