Times of the Islands Fall 2022

COURTESY SEAN BASSETT
BEN STUBENBERG
From top: Manisha Tolani is founder of On Island co-work space in
Grace Bay, an incubator for budding business concepts. Islander Sean
Bassett is the founder of Connect Digital Marketing, which owns and
manages all the digital advertising at the TCI airports.
well as a meeting space for synergistic encounters. In so
doing, On Island has become TCI’s incubator for nascent
business concepts.
“There is a lot of talent here and a diversity of people
with great ideas,” Tolani says. “I’m excited that On Island
can be that place where they gather and talk.” She adds,
“For TCI to realize its full potential as a tech hub, however,
we need to to upgrade Internet speed, as well as our
financial services arm. We already have the tech executives,
creative producers, and investors either residing
here or frequently visiting. That’s our strength and the
foundation for our tech future.”
Another entrepreneurial leader who sees TCI’s potential
as a high tech hub is Kenrick Quashie, founder of
La Fleur Ventures. Originally from St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, Quashie is the co-founder of Squeeze Cash,
a mobile app global money transfer system. Drawing on
his experience, he is working up plans for a “Tech City”
on Provo using vacant land near the airport. Working with
local architects, TCI’s tech community, and local government,
Quashie has caught the attention of investors who
see the possibilities.
Quashie knows full well the challenge ahead, but is
also quite mindful of TCI’s often overlooked by-product
of premium tourism—the tech and investment titans
from the US and Canada who visit the Islands. “They buy
houses here and see first-hand the benefits of living and
working in TCI, including the prospects for start-ups. In
this sense, TCI stands out from the rest of the Caribbean
Region.”
Sean Bassett, who grew up in Provo, is the founder
and driving force behind Connect Digital Marketing, one
of TCI’s top marketing, advertising, and software development
businesses. Under the brand Paradise Ports
Advertising, the company owns and manages all the
digital advertising at the Providenciales and Grand Turk
airports. What were once just wall ads have been converted
into electronic screens that collect data through
photos taken by visitors of QR codes. The QR codes allow
clients to track the effectiveness of the ads linked to
their websites or sales offerings. In addition, he started
an Instagram account, @turksandcaicos, that boasts an
astounding 300,000 followers. Bassett firmly believes
that “Tech Tourism” can kickstart and accelerate TCI’s
tech entrepreneurs. He says, “We already attract persons
with technical expertise to work remotely in TCI. Why not
entice more who can also work with us and share their
know-how?”
56 www.timespub.tc