Ignite Bermuda, the island’s first privately funded business accelerator, has launched its second cohort with a two-day boot camp that introduced participants to the five-month programme.Some 33 entrepreneurs have been selected to participate in the cohort, nearly double the 17 businesses that completed the first Ignite curriculum in 2019. Four members of that cohort have stayed on as resident advisers, taking to 37 the number of businesses in the programme.Meanwhile, 42 entrepreneurs will take part in the “Ignite light” programme of monthly seminars and guest speakers. For the light participants, the benefits of the boot camp will be distilled into a two-hour session.Three members of the current cohort participated in the “light” programme in 2019, while four are graduates of the Enterprise Bermuda initiative run by the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation.Fifteen full-time jobs and 41 part-time positions were created during the first Ignite cohort, while the 17 participating businesses experienced overall sales growth of 35 per cent, which translates into an annual aggregate sales increase of approximately $1.23 million.Launched in conjunction with UK-based curriculum partner Entrepreneurial Spark, Ignite offers entrepreneurs coaching and mentoring to provide enablement, a formalised curriculum to improve their skill sets, workspace to share and collaborate with peers, and access to a network of investors. The business survival rate of 100 per cent marked the first time in the history of Entrepreneurial Spark that all businesses remained intact for the duration of a cohort.The boot camp wrapped up with each business participating in a 60-second pitch competition. Four volunteer judges — Peter Dunkerley of Argus Group, Michael Veale of Butterfield Group, Jamillah Lodge of BEDC, and Joe Mahoney of the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative — selected the top three pitches.Tallent Clark of Rugged Rentals was the winner, with Carl Vincent and Leanne Evans of DropIt Delivery claiming second place, and Kristin White of Long Story Short in third spot. All three businesses received prizes from KPMG Bermuda. Mr Dunkerley, chief financial officer of The Argus Group, said: “It has been a pleasure to host Ignite Bermuda in the Argus offices over the last year. The success stories coming out of Ignite show the entrepreneurs’ drive, passion, commitment and enthusiasm for not only growing their businesses, but for providing products and services to Bermuda of the highest quality.”He added: “Argus congratulates all members of the new cohort for their selection to join Ignite and we wish them every success as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey. We’re proud of them and honoured to have the opportunity to be part of something very special here on island.” Sean Reel, executive director of Ignite, said: “We would encourage the community to support these businesses as they grow and create jobs in Bermuda.” Ignite says it seeks entrepreneurs from across Bermuda with a variety of ideas encompassing all sectors, from start-ups to small businesses looking to scale and grow in markets outside Bermuda. Creating jobs and diversity is part of its mission, the organisation said.More information about Ignite can be found online at www.ignitebermuda.com. The online application portal for the next cohort will reopen in May. • For the latest developments, news, and application announcements, follow Ignite on social media @IgniteBermuda and @Ignite_Bermuda for LinkedInParticipants in the second cohortJennifer Adams, WavecrestCyniqua Anderson, Just Dreams Event PlanningTracy Astwood, The Harvest MarketAlexis Bean, B.G.P.Kumi Bradshaw, Honest GreensTalibah Branch, Branch of LifeDoyle Butterfield, GemstoneDavid Cahill, Crush Media (Bermuda) LtdKim Caisey, K.I.M.’s ListTallent Clark, Rugged Rentals LLCFiona Douglas, Care Connect BermudaChris Faria, Agra LivingDarren Glasford, SYSTEMIZEDMartin Godet, Caboodle Store LtdJason Gonsalves, AceBoy Sports GroupDavika Hill, Heart in HandArianna Hodgson, Pink OnionDonte Hunt, MEMORWINGordon Johnson and Kelly Madeiros, CircleMelissa Leach, FactorMathew Macdonald, Two Rock Wine Company LtdKallie Marcus, Kinetix Natural MovementEdward Mason, Core Live LtdClaire McDevitt and Therese Caroll, Healthcare Solutions LtdKayuntae Ming, His N’Hers Hair & BeautyDanielle Paynter, The NAB AppKristen Scott Ndiaye, Read IncrediblyIndra Smith, B.O.S.S. (Back Office Service Solutions)Andrea Sundt and Peter Lapsley, & PartnersMikko Trott, Legitsu AcademyCarl Vincent and Leanne Evans, DropIt DeliveryKristin White, Long Story Short and Kristin Dot ComThoslae and Taylor Williams, ELEVATE Host Services