Planting Seeds TV series welcomes Jamaican investor

MINISTER of Trade Paula Gopee-Scoon will join Jamaican business stalwart, Joseph Matalon, and Republic Bank executive Karen Yip Chuck on a panel for the filming of Planting Seeds, a TV series where local entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors for the opportunity to secure funding and mentorship.

In a statement on July 15, Planting Seeds said it would begin filming its latest season with the first panel on July 20.

It said there would be 13 episodes filmed, some in Trinidad and Tobago and others in Jamaica.

Matalon was named Jamaica’s richest man by several publications. He is the chairman of the ICD Group, an investment holding firm involved in several industries, including construction, distribution, e-commerce, insurance and outsourcing.

Matalon has more than 20 years experience in transactional finance, investment and banking. He is also the director of Gleaner Co, Commodity Service Co and a former director of the Bank of Nova Scotia (Jamaica) Ltd.

Planting Seeds was launched in 2016 with the aim of putting a spotlight on TT entrepreneurship. It launched its first fully integrated business-to-customer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) platform with the series in 2020.

The series offers business plan training, cash flow projections, private equity funding opportunities government-enabled services, legal aid, and B2B and B2C solutions.

“Since its inception, Planting Seeds has been dedicated to creating an impactful ecosystem where entrepreneurs can thrive,” the statement said.

“Planting Seeds collaborates with the Government on multiple initiatives to support entrepreneurs. This partnership is one of the many efforts planned for this year to bolster the entrepreneurial landscape in the region.”

Entrepreneurs interested in taking part of the series can still register by visiting Planting Seeds on its Instagram page @plantingseedscaribbean.