The Bourse Paille breaks stereotypes !

Let’s be honest, we all know Martinicans who criticize our island, saying that there’s nothing here, that it’s always the same people who succeed. The Bourse Paille wants to break these stereotypes: yes, we can succeed in Martinique. And this association, led by the artist Paille (Yoni ALPHA) and his team of volunteers, intends to prove it! In the newspapers, you’ll read this: “The Bourse Paille is an original idea from the Martinican artist Yoni ‘Paille’ Alpha. According to him, a significant part of our population only considers success through escape, convinced that one cannot succeed in Martinique.” Agree or disagree ?

So, to be more specific, the Bourse Paille wants to create a “network” to promote the emergence and emulation of Martinican brains and genius, according to the artist. It’s beautiful and well said. In practice, the Bourse Paille is a project team of 7 people who have decided to make a difference by promoting ordinary men and women who have a brilliant idea for Martinique.

In summary, what we can take away from this is that sometimes we have ideas that cross our minds, but we don’t know where or how to start. We also lack contacts, a network, an entry point, and let’s face it, the budget to get started. With the Bourse Paille, Martinican genius will emerge and exist sustainably. In any case, that’s the plan !

Dare to do it !

For the team at Bourse Paille, the first victory of the initiative is to give hope back to Martinicans, and we needed it! And to remind everyone that anyone can start. You just have to dare to do it, no matter your personal situation, age, education, and to quote Paille “it doesn’t matter if you have a particle in your name or not.”

And what do you win ?

Money, money, money…? Yes, but not only that. One of the major points of the Bourse Paille program is indeed a €10,000 grant for the final winner. But in reality, Bourse Paille is also and above all an amazing support system !

Let us explain. First, even before applying, anyone with an idea but not entirely sure of themselves could meet with socio-professionals for free and present their idea to them. Then, for the 15 finalists of the competition (and we will tell you who they are at the end of this article), there is what amounts to a gift of €115,000: an intensive entrepreneurial boot camp. It is a kind of intensive training camp for the brain, for the idea. For 4 weeks, the finalists work tirelessly, from Monday to Saturday, from 8am to no end. We break down, deconstruct their ideas. And we rebuild everything so that it makes sense, so that it succeeds. And after all that, yes, there is €10,000 and a mentorship program with partners. Isn’t that a pretty good toolbox for getting started ?

December 28 – February 28: Where is La Bourse Paille at ?

Well, it’s still on track. Since February 12th, the team behind your webzine has known the names of the 15 finalists: Astride Ostologue, Audrey Belleau, Audrey Villageois, Christophe Adelaide, Deena Victoria Lugiery, Enzo Renard, Ameline Rodriguez/Cédric Maria, Jessy Melinard/Sarah Philias, Gabrielle Counali, Geoffrey Ovide, Julien Burlet, Lina Laplume, Marie-Noëlle Séminor, Morgan Mongin, Rodolphe Rosamond! Don’t know who they are? You’ll have to visit www.laboursepaille.com in April to get to know them better, but we’re already sharing their photos with you !

What’s next for La Bourse Paille ?

The 15 project leaders will be joining the Bourse Paille boot camp from March 7th to April 2nd. We hear it’s tough but exhilarating ! Then, on April 6th, they will muster up the courage to pitch in front of the final jury. And on April 7th, drumroll, we’ll find out who won this edition. But beware, La Bourse Paille is a community of people with ideas. The project doesn’t stop at the end of the competition! Ba yo love, ba yo foss, keep following this project !