Ignite Bermuda is inviting entrepreneurs to take part in the testing of Spark AI — an artificial intelligence-powered business coach aimed at entrepreneurs and small-business owners in Bermuda.

Spark is a conversational AI coach, available around the clock and trained on Bermuda-specific business knowledge. Ignite is inviting 200 entrepreneurs to sign up for the beta-testing period.

The AI-powered tool will draw on the network, coaching style and resources of Ignite Bermuda, the small-business incubator, “to provide instant, localised, and practical support”, Ignite said.

Spark AI will be available at no cost during the beta-testing period and will be formally launched “in the coming months”, Ignite added.

Ignite said Spark would address a demand from entrepreneurs for access to accurate information and affordable coaching, including advice on the complexity of navigating local regulations and knowing where to start.

One of the ways Spark AI will be accessible is via the mobile platform WhatsApp.

Melissa Looby, project lead for Spark AI and enablement manager at Ignite Bermuda, said: “For the first time, any aspiring entrepreneur on this island can access real, relevant, localised business guidance at any hour of the day, completely for free.

“Launching during Heritage Month feels right — because these are exactly the kinds of investment in our people, our culture and our economy that this month is about.”

She described Spark AI as a scalable, intelligent tool that extends the reach of its entrepreneurial programmes and puts meaningful support in more hands.

Ignite is preparing to launch Cohort 11 of its entrepreneurial accelerator.

Sean Reel, executive director at Ignite Bermuda, said: “We built Spark AI because we believe that every person in Bermuda with a business idea deserves a knowledgeable, patient coach in their corner — and now they have one.

“We want to hear from real users during this beta phase so we can make Spark as useful as possible for this community.”

Through their feedback, beta testers will have the chance to influence Spark AI’s development directly, and they will gain early access to new features as they roll out.

• For more information, visitignitebermuda.com/spark-ai