Driving Regional Economic Growth in Haiti
Summary
In 2024, the Greater Northern Chamber of Commerce in Cap Haitien and additional regional Haitian Chambers of Commerce committed to launch the Haiti Business Accelerator (HBA) , an initiative to spur long-term sustainable development for Haiti, with a focus beyond the capital region. Over the next three years, the HBA will support the growth of 72 startups and existing businesses with the potential to create jobs and stimulate economic growth across nine regions outside Port-au-Prince. HBA aims to adapt a successful U.S. business accelerator model to foster local entrepreneurship. Additionally, the HBA will function as a networking resource to enable quick responses to humanitarian assistance requests and enhance community resilience. This innovative program is the first-of-its-kind to prioritize long-term growth and peace for Haiti by launching partnerships and drivers of economic change now.
Approach
The Haiti Business Accelerator (HBA) is an initiative of the Greater Northern Chamber of Commerce, along with other regional Chambers of Commerce, to support the growth and development of 72 start-up and existing businesses with potential to advance job creation and economic growth in the nine regional departments beyond the capital of Port au Prince. With their status as a public utility in Haiti, these chambers are in a unique position to adapt to the proven U.S. business accelerator model for this purpose. Over the next three years, a small group of Haiti based businesses will be selected for each contingent of HBA participants. Each will receive a grant and intense mentoring over several months. As is the case with US models, successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts from Haiti and the diaspora population in the US and Canada will serve as volunteer mentors. Upon completion of the course, each contingent of businesses will have the opportunity to pitch to potential investors and funders. HBA will also serve as a networking resource to facilitate rapid response to requests for humanitarian assistance from every participating Chamber of Commerce along with current and alumni participants.
Action Plan
2024
Q4: U.S. accelerator signed up to provide guidance / HBA membership formalized / first 12 Haiti businesses signed up for HBA program (Group 1) starting Q2 2025
2025
Q1-Q2: Group 1 participants (12 businesses) complete HBA program and are introduced to investors
Q3: HBA formally registered as a foundation under the laws of Haiti
Q3-Q4: Group 2 participants (12) complete HBA program and are introduced to investors
2026
Q1: U.S. accelerator role is completed and HBA operates solely on its own
Q1-Q2: Group 3 participants (12) complete HBA program and are introduced to investors
Q3-Q4: Group 4 participants (12) complete HBA program and are introduced to investors
2027
Q1-Q2: Group 5 participants (12) complete HBA program and are introduced to investors
Q3-Q4: Group 6 participants (12) complete HBA program and are introduced to investors
Background
Port-au-Prince has always held sway over Haiti as the gravitational center of government, finance and culture. As gangs have laid siege to the capital in recent years, so too has the entire country suffered because of this consolidation of power. Regardless of what transpires to restore order in metro Port-au Prince, the city is destined to remain challenged for years to come. Consequently, now is the time to begin supporting business efforts in the other nine regions of the country to ensure the nation’s recovery is not solely dependent on the capital shedding the yoke of the gangs that, as reflected by U.S. and Canadian sanctions over the past year, have deep links with some of that city’s largest business interests. This is not to cast aspersions on the majority of upstanding entrepreneurs and business owners in Port-au-Prince, but the longstanding nexus of gangs and some elements within the business community must not be allowed to permeate the rest of the country.
Progress Update
Partnership Opportunities
The HBA is seeking capital and in-kind funding in the form of subject matter expertise, media support, and financial resources. The HBA is seeking implementing partners with capacity and capabilities appropriate for the accelerator program it is going to launch., Any organization or business can nominate a startup or existing business for consideration for the HBA program, noting that all nominations are made through participating Chambers of Commerce.