16/03/2026
34 Men Awarded Over $314,000 in SBDC Grants to Expand and Launch Businesses
Thirty-four male entrepreneurs have received more than $314,000 in grant funding through the Small Business Development Centre’s Men in Business initiative, aimed at helping launch new ventures and expand existing businesses across the country.
A total of $314,457.25 was awarded during a grant announcement ceremony at the SBDC offices on Gladstone Road on Friday, where Philip Davis, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, said the programme supports entrepreneurs across a broad range of industries.
“These awardees come from a wide range of industries across our economy, including agriculture, arts and crafts, automotive services, beauty, cleaning, construction, courier and delivery, education, energy, entertainment, fishing, fitness, food and beverage, landscaping, media, photography and videography, printing and signage, professional services, real estate, security, technology, tourism, transportation, and waste management,” Davis said.
According to the prime minister, the grant recipients include both established businesses and new startups.
“Some are building established businesses. Some are starting out. Eighteen are existing businesses operating for more than a year; sixteen are startups,” he said.
Davis noted that much of the funding will be used to purchase production equipment and business supplies to help entrepreneurs strengthen and expand their operations.
He also praised the Small Business Development Centre for designing the programme to go beyond financial support.
“It includes Business Blueprint training. It includes Builder’s Lab masterclasses. It includes mentorship,” Davis said.
“It includes the chance for men to build confidence, sharpen their thinking, improve communication, strengthen leadership skills, and prepare for further financing as their businesses grow.”
Davis said the initiative reflects a broader effort to expand economic opportunity, particularly for young men.
“Too many young men have spent years feeling counted out, pushed aside, or left to figure life out on their own,” he said. “That has cost us dearly as a country. We have to change that.”
He added that expanding access to entrepreneurship can help create new pathways for success.
“We have to continue building a Bahamas where more young men can see a path in front of them,” Davis said. “We have to build a Bahamas where more young men can find support before they lose hope.”
“We will reverse the trend together through young men who choose discipline over drift, growth over excuses, and purpose over self-doubt,” he added.
Also attending the ceremony were Michael Halkitis, Minister of Economic Affairs, Samantha Rolle, executive director of the SBDC, along with programme mentors and grant recipients.
