Caribbean Venture Collective, a U.S.-based network and founder fellowship launched in March, has opened its first headquarters in Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean.
Located near Flatbush, Church, Nostrand and Utica avenues, Little Caribbean is the largest and most diverse Caribbean-American-Latinx community outside of the West Indies. The neighborhood represents 20% of New York City’s population.
Caribbean Venture Collective (CVC) is a fellowship program that launched in March 2025. It was created to amplify innovation that is rooted in or connected to the Caribbean. By offering an equity-free fellowship, CVC aims to support early-stage tech founders, particularly those often overlooked in traditional venture capital spaces.
“Little Caribbean is a symbol of diaspora solidarity and what becomes possible when culture and community align,” said Mita Carriman, co-founder of Caribbean Venture.
CVC exists to close the gap for Caribbean entrepreneurs who have visionary ideas but limited access to resources and support. The organization provides mentorship, community, and visibility, without taking equity in the startups it supports. It’s designed to empower founders while keeping them connected to their culture and mission.
“For too long, Caribbean entrepreneurs with world-changing ideas have struggled to break through—not because they lacked vision, but because they lacked venture-backed support,” said Daniel Smith, co-founder of Caribbean Venture Collective. “CVC is here to change that.”
Founded in 2017 by Shelley Worrell of iamcariBEING, Little Caribbean has become a globally recognized hub for Caribbean culture, celebrated by outlets like The New York Times, Crain’s, Michelin Guide and NBC. In 2024, TimeOut.com named it the coolest neighborhood in New York City and the 17th coolest in the world. With its rich cultural roots and global recognition, Little Caribbean offers a fitting home for Caribbean Venture Collective, aligning perfectly with its mission to empower Caribbean innovation and community-driven entrepreneurship.
Applications for the inaugural Caribbean Venture Collective Founder Fellowship are open through June 16, 2025, at caribbeanventurecollective.com/fellows. Founders of Caribbean descent and those building tech startups focused on the region are encouraged to apply.
To celebrate its new headquarters, CVC will host a free public event, “Tech Lime,” on Wednesday, May 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at 1399 Nostrand Ave. The evening will include a panel discussion on connecting with investors and a Q&A about the fellowship program.
