Champions of Business 2023 – Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Champions of Business is an Awards programme presented by the Chamber which was introduced in 2005 under the name Business Hall of Fame and rebranded in 2014. It is comprised of the “Champions of Business Gala Awards Finale” and the made-for-television series “Champions of Business True Stories”.

The Awards capture a spectrum of achievements in business enterprise that encompasses creativity, innovation, tech development, sustainability, internationalisation and life legacy. Each category is hinged on both business acumen and corporate responsibility. The Awards are tailored to either individuals or companies and are open to Trinidad and Tobago entities, whether or not they are members of the Chamber. These Awards are truly aligned to the ethos and vision of the Chamber and our partner sponsors who all have invested help to highlight the people and corporations who are the pride of our nation.

The stories of the Award recipients are presented each year in “True Stories” a weekly four-part made-for-tv series (covering all categories of Award) that tells the stories of the success – and sometimes failures – experienced while building a business. This is followed by a live show to present the awards in person.

With the exception of the Business Hall of Fame and the Internationally Known…T&T Owned Company of the Year, the winners in all categories are only revealed at the Gala Awards Finale, a live show featuring all Award recipients, the key people who have supported them, and category sponsors.

The Champions of Business True Stories air on CNC3 weekly on October 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2023. Re-runs can also be seen on October 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2023.

The Champions of Business Gala Awards Finale will take place on November 2, 2023 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) beginning 6:30 p.m.

Innovation sponsored by bmobile BUSINESS

The Innovation Award is presented to a company or individual which creates a culture of improvement or innovation for customers. The Award focuses on the pioneering use of technology, such as social media, virtual reality, blockchain or artificial intelligence to increase productivity and measurable improvement for customers, clients and businesses. It recognises the significant role innovation plays in transforming our economy and celebrates an enterprise which has provided innovative solutions or services for new and existing market needs.

The award recipient will be revealed with the presentation at the Gala Awards Finale to be held at NAPA on November 2, 2023. Be viewing Champions of Business True Stories on October 3 on CNC3 to find out more about this award.

On Tuesday October 3^rd 2023, three companies were named as finalists for this year’s Innovation Award:

These are:

Angostura Limited: Angostura® is the definition of a heritage brand with a fascinating backstory on the history of rum and bitters. Their bitters and rum are a treasured legacy that tell the story of our country and are a tribute to the creativity of our people. In July 2020, the Company launched ANGOSTURA® cocoa bitters, after years of continuous research and trials. The Angostura® team led by Master Blender, Carol Homer-Caesar, created the perfect recipe for this latest product, using Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T’s) internationally famous, and indigenous, Trinitario cocoa to produce ANGOSTURA® cocoa bitters; as the Companycontinued to push the boundaries of flavour, taking inspiration from our history and local heritage. ANGOSTURA® cocoa bitters is part of the Company’s bid to promote T&T’s local agricultural treasure, cocoa, around the world. The Trinitario cocoa adds a sweet and elegantly balanced flavour to Angostura’s bitters line which makes it one of our most exclusive innovations in decades.

Epilimnion Aquaculture Limited: has been in commercial operation since 2013 and is a hybrid hydroponic facility, meaning that it employs different growing methods dependent on the requirements of each crop. The hydroponic systems are all recirculating in design and therefore reuses the system water resulting in 90% less water usage than traditional farming. The facility utilises both outdoor systems, in the form of nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponics as well as controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology. The CEA system uses special wavelength LED’s to simulate sunlight and HVAC systems to control the environmental parameters, which allows for an optimal growing environment. The products produced for food service are Baby Arugula (Food service packaging), Micro-greens Mix (Food service packaging), Basil, Mint, Micro Basil, Micro Arugula, Micro Dill, Micro Amaranth, Micro Purple Cabbage, Micro Cilantro & Micro Beet. These are marketed direct to the end user, be it a restaurant or catering business.

YMBS Biotec Limited: is engaged in state of the art biomedical chemical manufacturing, using proprietary formulations and technology geared towards revolutionizing human health and wellness. The premier brand BIOTECplus© with it its in-use prescribed protocols is tested and certified to be a superior alternative to legacy brands of sterilizers, disinfectants and sanitizers. The product can safely used on skin, pets, livestock, food, plants and all surfaces in any market sector. It is the only product of its kind internationally tested and certified to have germicidal effects beyond the capacity of traditional disinfectants/ sanitizers, while still being completely non-toxic and 100% biodegradable. The company commenced its activities in 2006 with the development of flagship presentations for the medical, agricultural and industrial sectors.

Attend the Gala Awards Finale on November 2^nd at NAPA to learn who will be this year’s Innovation Award Recipient!

To view the Champions of Business True Stories on October 3 please click here

Entrepreneurship sponsored by Republic Bank Limited

The Entrepreneurship Award is presented to an individual or a business that was founded within the last 10 years and which has been experiencing strong growth. The recipient would be an owner or leader of a private or public company with primary responsibility for the recent performance of the company, as well as be an active member of management. Non-founding entrepreneurs are also eligible if the individual manages the business and assumes the associated risks.

SME sponsored by Term Finance Limited

The SME category consists of two Awards given to a Small and Medium sized company respectively; the size of the enterprise is defined by financial and employee data. This category of award was introduced to celebrate the contribution of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to the Trinidad and Tobago economy. Nominees are assessed on a range of areas including having maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance, understanding its customer, responsible business practices, having an engaged workforce with effective leadership, demonstrating effective use of technology/digital media for engagement, is continuously innovating to support future growth and is able to shown growth customers or revenue over the last five years in the services or produce sector.

The award recipient will be revealed with the presentation at the Gala Awards Finale to be held at NAPA on November 2, 2023.

To view the Champions of Business True Stories on October 10 please click here

Internationally Known…T&T Owned Company of the Year sponsored by the Ministry of Trade and Industry

The Internationally Known…T&T Owned Company of the Year recognises Trinidad and Tobago businesses that have achieved excellence in performance locally and regionally or internationally. The company would have demonstrated how they have successfully built their export capacity and internationalised. The category is open to corporate entities only (not individuals or professionals in business) and is awarded to one company which has been selected from among the nominees.

Be viewing Champions of Business True Stories on October 17 to find out the 2023 recipient. The award will be presented at the Gala Awards Finale to be held at NAPA on November 2, 2023.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber) has announced Carib Brewery Limited as the Champions of Business Internationally Known…T&T Owned (IKTTO) Company of the Year award recipient for 2023. Carib Brewery Limited, headquartered in Champ Fleurs, Trinidad, boasts over 16 brands and 80 stock keeping units (SKUs). It offers a broad range of lagers, stouts, ciders, tonic wine, seltzer, and low- and non-alcohol products. Since the launch of Carib Lager Beer over 70 years ago, the company has targeted regional and international markets. It remains committed to producing high-quality international beer, acquiring regional and international breweries, and launching new, innovative products. Carib Brewery is continuously looking for organic and inorganic growth opportunities. Currently, its products are sold in 41 countries, and it has breweries in four territories including St. Kitts, Grenada, USA, and Trinidad. It recently executed licensed manufacturing in Greece and Canada.

Breakthrough Exporter of the Year sponsored by EXIMBANK

The Breakthrough Exporter of the Year category is open to smaller companies (not individuals or professionals in business) which have branched out into export markets and have been able to show significant growth

The recipient of this award will be revealed with the presentation at the Gala Awards Finale to be held at NAPA on November 2, 2023.

To view the Champions of Business True Stories aired on October 17 please click here.

Business Hall of Fame, Sponsored by The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited

The Business Hall of Fame started in 2005 with the posthumous induction of founding member of the Chamber, Joseph Leon Agostini. The very first Business Hall of Fame was a simple ceremony that took place in the Board Room of the Chamber’s offices. The award soon outgrew its modest beginnings and evolved into an official programme which now inducts a maximum of two business leaders at its annual awards event. Each year outstanding individuals are inducted (one of whom may be posthumous) into our Business Hall of Fame.

Be viewing Champions of Business True Stories on October 24 on CNC3 to find out the 2023 recipients. Recipients will be inducted with the presentation of their awards at the Gala Awards Finale to be held at NAPA on November 2, 2023.

Haji Gokool-Meah was born in Kashmir in 1847 and came to Trinidad at the age of six with his indentured parents. Overcoming personal and societal barriers, he rose to become one of the island’s major industrialists and philanthropists. Originally named Madhoo, he was adopted by a Hindu family after the death of his biological parents and subsequently called Gokool. Nevertheless, retaining his Islamic heritage, he later undertook the hajj pilgrimage and was given the title Haji. From his earliest labour in the cane fields, he purchased a donkey to do transport and then became a prosperous village shopkeeper.

He would go on to venture in cinema, real estate, and cocoa cultivation. Despite being a hard businessman, he was committed to charitable activities, which he performed weekly, acquiring the title, Meah; by his will he established the Haji Gokool Trust. Today, two Port of Spain landmarks still stand, testament to his influence: the Globe cinema building in Port of Spain and the Haji Gokool Memorial Masjid in St. James.

Trevor Lynch is the founder and chairman of TL Holdings Limited, TL Investments Limited, and Hydro Tech Limited (1987). Regarded as the backbone and driving force behind the group of companies, Mr. Lynch has over 30 years of a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has served on the Economic Development Advisory Board and started the Mayaro Legacy Awards 2022 at bpTT Mayaro Resource Centre, where he was also honoured by the community with an award. Mr. Lynch His unconventional approach to business has not only set his entrepreneurial pursuits on the right track but also defied the odds of an evolving business climate.

Green Agenda sponsored by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited

The Green Agenda Award recognises the contribution and commitment that companies now make towards growing a greener future in business and delivering a new blueprint for business in the 21st Century. The award is given to a company which demonstrates leadership in implementing energy efficiency strategies and works to positively contribute to the promotion of a greener T&T.

The recipient of this award will be revealed with the presentation at the Gala Awards Finale to be held at NAPA on November 2, 2023. Be viewing Champions of Business True Stories on October 24 on CNC3 to find out more about this award.

To view the Champions of Business True Stories aired on October 24 please click here.