Unite BVI offering zero-interest loans to businesses and start-ups
Residents of the British Virgin Islands can now apply for loans with no interest, no down payment, or collateral from the Unite BVI Foundation — an entrepreneurial foundation funded by the Virgin Group and the family of British billionaire, Sir Richard Branson.
Persons will be able to get loans of up to $5,000 under the organisation’s ‘Kickstart Loan’ category and up to $25,000 under their ‘Impact Loans’ programme.
Commenting on the initiative via a media release on Wednesday, September 9, Manager of the Unite BVI Foundation Kim Takeuchi said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has escalated the need to inspire and empower local entrepreneurship in the face of the increased economic challenges being experienced locally.
“Small island nations such as the BVI must find a way to create new jobs in emerging markets so as to diversify their economies, making them less reliant on vulnerable industries,” she stated.
The media release said the deadline to apply is October 19.
Loan is to expand existing businesses
The release said the loan is to expand existing businesses or to start a business that would have a positive impact on the environment or on the community.
It continued: “The KickStart BVI loan programme was created to ease the burden of access to financial and business training and development resources, aiming to empower and support local entrepreneurs.”
Notably, persons must complete an initial assessment online. The deadline for that assessment is September 23 and those meeting the requirements would then be required to submit a business plan and a financial questionnaire.
The release said funding is restricted to support social impact enterprises that directly address either an environmental or societal challenge facing the BVI with a business-based, sustainable solution.
Another loan available
In the meantime, the foundation its other Impact Loan Programme is intended to give social entrepreneurs a step-up through “financial empowerment and … high-level capacity-building and mentorship support”.
Takeuchi said this loan aims to catalyze social enterprises that will have a lasting positive impact in the BVI by directly addressing challenges facing local communities and/or the environment with sustainable, business-based solutions.
Persons who receive this loan type will have three to five years to repay.
To qualify, applicants must be 18 years or older, hold a valid BVI trade license, have limited access to financing, and demonstrate a viable business plan complete with financial planning, etcetera.
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Good job! Good initiative.
Doing more for the community than Foi and friends.
Good initiative, Great!!
What is the link to complete the online assessment??
Please advise.
Thank you.
Here’s the link to the Initial Assessment (first stage in the application process): https://forms.gle/yxZrmF1ffW6wHtfH8
For more information check out http://www.unitebvi.com – specifically the Entrepreneurship section where we provide more information about the loan programme and the application process:
https://www.unitebvi.com/our-work/supporting-entrepreneurs
STRANGE HOW THE FOUNDER IS TRYING TO GET A LOAN FROM GOVERNMENTS OF THE WORLD TO KEEP HIS BUSINESSES AFLOAT
If you don’t know what actually is going on it’s probably best to just keep your mouth shut. The tabloids ordinarily don’t give a good reflection of what is actually going on.
It look like it hurts you more than him….parasite
For … taking pics with Jeffrey Epstein you need to offer more money than that to HELP WASH AWAY YOUR SINS AND F****.
Well done Unite and SRB!
I wish more people were prepared to help the BVI community like this.
Why some of these comments are so small while others are largeer in size?
You still need business to repay a zero interest loan.
Thank you Sir Branson….. i have noticed the trend of you stepping in to pick up the bvi government’s slack time and time againñ. The latest fail was the small business grant through trade department. Since they dropped the ball, as expected, our saviour Mr Branson saves the day. People can say what they want….. you are a true hero.
Yeah right, you are as dumb as a rock, small island small mind
How long is this loan offer being offered as the BVI will not be in ‘real business, tourist wise, for at least another year?
To learn more about how Unite BVI support entrepreneurs here’s the link to the specific page on their website:
https://www.unitebvi.com/our-work/supporting-entrepreneurs
For guidance on the application process:
https://www.unitebvi.com/2020-application-process-kickstart-loans
For a direct link to the Initial Assessment Form (first step in the application process): https://forms.gle/yxZrmF1ffW6wHtfH8
this is an obvious trap