Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition winners celebrated
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From left: Raheem Williams, head of AI & Learning System; Damion Henry, head of technical development; Akeem Hutchinson, CEO & head of product strategy; Simone HoSang, representing the Vincent HoSang family; Vanessa Andrews, head of student learning science & UX; and Maurice Mullings, celebrate Approved Labs’ first‑place victory at the Finals and Awards Ceremony of the 2025–26 Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition.
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From left: Douglas Lindo, director of JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation; Kim Mair, CEO JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation; Simone Hanson, representing Amaré Indulge; and Wayne Sutherland, director of the JMMB Group, pose for a photo. Amaré Indulge was awarded second place at the 2025–26 Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition Awards Ceremony.
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From left: Douglas Lindo, Kim Mair, Simone HoSang, DeAndre Haughton, representing IDentify Life; and Wayne Sutherland, director of the JMMB Group, celebrate IDentify Life’s third‑place achievement at the Finals and Awards Ceremony of the 2025–26 Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition.
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CEO of the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, Kim Mair (left), presents the Joan Duncan Award for Corporate Social Responsibility to IFARM during the 2025–26 Awards Ceremony of the Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition.
Main sponsor of the 2025-26 Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition, the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, joined alongside students, partners, fellow sponsors and other members of the university community for the competition’s finals and awards ceremony, marking the culmination of months of training, mentorship and entrepreneurial development for more than 80 student teams.
The ceremony, held at the Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM), brought the competition cycle to a close as the top seven finalists presented their ventures before a panel of judges and the winners were officially announced.
The finalists showcased innovative solutions across education, healthcare, agriculture and consumer well-being. Approved Labs secured first place and J$700,000 for Sapphire OS, its AI-powered learning platform designed to support personalised and adaptive learning for CXC students. The team expressed gratitude for the recognition and opportunity; “We are overjoyed by the victory and are deeply grateful for the opportunity to now showcase our platform on a larger stage,” said Akeem Hutchinson, CEO of Approved Labs. Amaré Indulge earned second place and J$500,000 for its natural, skin-friendly hair removal line, while IDentify Life secured third place and J$300,000 for its customisable medical ID wristband aimed at expanding health awareness and emergency response.
Reflecting on the impact of the competition, CEO Kim Mair noted that the foundation remains inspired by the transformation students undergo through each stage of the programme, emphasising the learning, resilience and discipline each participant demonstrates. “The Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition is far more than a pitch event; it is a comprehensive journey of mentorship, coaching and real-world preparation that equips young entrepreneurs to build meaningful, sustainable enterprises,” said Mair.
She added that the foundation is proud to partner with MSBM, the Vincent HoSang Family Foundation and fellow sponsors, to strengthen Jamaica’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and empower youth to contribute boldly and confidently to nation-building.