PIOJ Growth-Inducement Strategy - Planning Institute of Jamaica
PIOJ Growth-Inducement Strategy - Planning Institute of Jamaica
PIOJ Growth-Inducement Strategy - Planning Institute of Jamaica
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Appendix C1<br />
Development <strong>of</strong> a Dynamic Venture Capital Park in <strong>Jamaica</strong> 60<br />
1.0 Introduction<br />
A financing gap exists for most SMEs, compared with capital available for Corporate<br />
firms and Micro Businesses. Within the SME grouping, more capital is likely to go to the<br />
existing firms than to the start-ups. Moreover, most entities within this grouping do not<br />
by themselves have the administrative structure to undertake many <strong>of</strong> the developmental<br />
initiatives including capital-raising, in addition to their focus on creative and operational<br />
activities.<br />
Hence, the build-out <strong>of</strong> a venture capital eco-system as envisaged under the JVCP should<br />
also explicitly recognize the need to have a supportive sub-system to improve the<br />
viability <strong>of</strong> startups and to provide a dynamic space to explore and develop new ideas<br />
from concept stage to prototype, with the assistance <strong>of</strong> technology as well as business<br />
support groups emanating from the University.<br />
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 61 has identified nine Entrepreneurial<br />
Framework Conditions,that provide the basis for an ideal entrepreneurial environment.<br />
These are: Financing, Government Policies, Government Programmes, Education,<br />
Research and Development (R&D) Transfer, Commercial and Legal Infrastructure,<br />
Market Openness, Physical Infrastructure, and Cultural and Social Norms.<br />
<strong>Jamaica</strong>, according to the GEM, ranks highly when compared with many other countries<br />
as it relates to the prevalence <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurial activities, with approximately 24% <strong>of</strong> all<br />
adults being involved in entrepreneurial activity. This level <strong>of</strong> activity reflects the low<br />
level <strong>of</strong> economic activity in the country because, although most <strong>of</strong> these entrepreneurs<br />
are ‘opportunity’ entrepreneurs, there is also a relatively high level <strong>of</strong> ‘necessity’<br />
entrepreneurs.<br />
There is a significant failure rate for entrepreneurs and startups. Many <strong>of</strong> those which do<br />
survive undergo limited growth and expansion. To have a sustained positive effect on<br />
economic growth and employment in the country, survival <strong>of</strong> these businesses must be<br />
improved and supportive infrastructure must be provided to ensure that the currently<br />
unfulfilled potential is realized in many productive areas and sectors, including those<br />
related to the production <strong>of</strong> tangible products and services, as well as intangibles in<br />
technology and our creative industries.<br />
60 Adapted from Development Bank <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong> and <strong>Planning</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong>, “Discussion Document:<br />
Development <strong>of</strong> a Dynamic Venture Capital Park,” (Unpublished, October 14, 2011) .<br />
61 GEM, 2009. www.gemconsortium.org<br />
161