Background
The Mona Entrepreneurial and Commercialization Centre (MECC), formerly known as the Mona Business Support Services (MBSS) was an under-capitalized start-up and business incubator on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI). A full service entity that provided Space, Support and Business Advisory Services. MBSS's core mandate had been the development of local and student entrepreneurship. It focused on the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and supported the ICT needs of the large Call Centre, with which they were co-located.
After a period of inactivity. a rebranded Mona Entrepreneurial and Commercialization Centre (MECC) emerged as a Social Enterprise with a focus on serving the vulnerable community and a mandate for commercialization and Technology Transfer. This mandate is consistent with the economic push from the Government of Jamaica as well as many development agencies in the region. MECC remains a University owned mixed use incubator offering flexible arrangements for entrepreneurs.
Despite our many challenges, in our almost seven years of existence, we (as MBSS and as MECC) have serviced 72 clients (rental, short term as well as incubatees/entreps) with a cumulative 500 jobs created and 3500 entrep contacts. Among our portfolio we have award winning entreps including two who have won awards for innovation, one for resilience at StartUp Chile Demo Week, another for social enterprise, two Young Leaders of the Americas Fellows (YLAI) and numerous competition winners and finalists on campus, in National, Regional as well as International Business Model Competitions etc . Our clients have new opportunities because of inhouse legal support to facilitate Intellectual Property Strategy Development and Internationalization. We currently house 24 clients from various industries and have among our two graduates a High Growth Entrepreneur (IT Developer).
Vision & Mission
Mona Entrepreneurial and Commercialization Centre (MECC) will be the leader in the region for incubation and commercialization services through unparalleled support from our team and our network of partners. Our clients will be best in class and optimize the competitiveness of the region. We will significantly empower vulnerable populations and practically impact poverty, economic development, equity and equality in Jamaica and the region.
MECC transforms ideas into products and businesses to facilitate sustainable growth; providing critical support throughout the entire incubation process. We provide the highest quality service to transform new enterprises into profitable businesses while maintaining our own sustainability. We will meet the needs of the UWI population and wider community with special attention to vulnerable populations, especially women led enterprises and the differently abled led enterprises.
Governance and Management
Governing Board
MECC is part of the University of the West Indies (UWI) on Mona campus; it has a governance board (all UWI & UHWI Management) headed by the Principal and Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Dale Webber. The Director of MECC reports directly to Prof. Webber as well as the Governing Board, offers service to Mona Office of Research & innovation (MORI) on Technology Transfer matters, as well as offers service to the Agricultural Facility and Faculties of Science & Technology, Engineering, Medicine, Social Sciences & Humanities.
Advisory Board
MECC has a functional Advisory Board drawn from UWI as well as other stakeholders from the ecosystem. The MECC Advisory Board has been set up to provide strategic advice and has no governance or approval authority. Only the Governing Board has this authority. Both Boards provide critical support with the aim of amplifying the impact of MECC and ensuring sustainability.
Team