The Tribune

The founder of a Bahamian-owned and operated food provider has been named as the 2020 winner of the Deltec Young Entrepreneurs Award.

Deltec Initiatives Foundation (DIF) unveiled Aquindo Colebrooke, the owner of Corn Diggity Dogs, after the first-ever virtual business pitch competition hosted by the Deltec Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs (DIYE) on November 27, 2020.

The judges included Deltec’s chairman, Jean Chalopin; Anthony Ferguson, CFAL's president and founder; Sebas Bastian, Island Luck's chief executive; and Rhonda McDeigan-Eldridge, founder and impactioneer, Harness All Possibilities.

The participating entrepreneurs were evaluated based on ten criteria, including vision; financial performance; sustainability; resourcefulness; innovation; branding; talent management; service excellence; societal impact and entrepreneurial journey.

After nine months of working with the DIYE team, Cordero Bonamy of Aktiv Body Rehabilitation; Aquindo Colebrooke of Corn Diggity Dogs; and Kristin Kelly of KLK Consulting emerged as the three finalists.

The 2020 Deltec Young Entrepreneurs Award winner gains a $10,000 investment into the Corn Diggity Dogs business, along with mentorship from a business leader. Mr Colebrooke will serve as an ambassador for the DIYE programme until December 31, 2021.

Mr Colebrooke described the experience as "amazing". Corn Diggity Dogs is a Bahamian-owned and operated food provider specialising in a unique variety of corn dogs with a Bahamian flair. Established in 2014, Corn Diggity Dogs is a frequent pop-up vendor at many local festivals and events.

The Deltec Initiative for Young Entrepreneurs (DIYE) is a part of the Deltec Initiatives Foundation, which aims to empower young Bahamians through arts, entrepreneurship and education. The Deltec Initiatives Foundation is fully funded by Deltec Bank & Trust.