An entrepreneurship programme has just celebrated its latest round of graduates with Jason Hayward, the economy and labour minister.

The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation’s Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator took six participants through six months of building their strategic growth plans for business.

Mr Hayward told graduates that entrepreneurship could be “difficult, stressful and in most cases, very tiring”.

But he added: “You have embarked upon a journey to create specific goals, by implementing and evaluating them you will be able to effective execute your strategic initiatives.”

The programme uses the StreetWise Masters of Business Administration curriculum developed by the Boston-based small business organisation Interise.

Mr Hayward said the training would include “access to a network of peers and business leaders who will continue to provide support and accountability”.

“As a result, you are now well equipped to meet your full business potential.”

He said the latest graduates would join alumni including “60 entrepreneurs that have graduated through the StreetWise MBA Curriculum”.

He added: “We celebrate your success and encourage you to continue to think big and be strategic as you action your growth plans

“Continue to dream big, scale upward and outward because your success has a direct impact on building back Bermuda’s economy.”

The graduating entrepreneurs were: Chris and Edgar Dill, owners of Spectro Pay, a payment and point of sale solution; Michelle White, owner of Executemps Ltd, supporting Bermuda-based businesses with immigration needs and staffing services; Tarra Timmins of Noesis Energy, renewable energy and energy services company; Elicia Hollis, the owner of Sweet Pea Nursery, specialising in the care of 2-3-year-olds; and Cornelia Rawlins, co-owner of Daycore Painting Contractors, specialising in residential and commercial painting and contracting services.

Tanisha Damberville-Pierre, senior manager of learning development at Interise offered congratulatory remarks to the graduating cohort via video. She stated: “You took a chance and trusted BEDC with your business. It is my hope that…you feel confident with your growth plan to take your business to new heights to create jobs that help build up the Bermuda economy and support the community in which you all live and work.”