Over the past decade, Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) has been actively promoting the Cayman Islands and its Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as the perfect destination for knowledge- and technology-driven businesses looking to establish a tangible physical presence. As a result, CEC proudly houses 317 SEZ companies, representing the largest innovation ecosystem in the region.
CEC specializes in facilitating the establishment of offices for startups, mid-sized enterprises, and publicly-listed companies from around the globe within three distinct SEZs: Cayman Tech City, Cayman Maritime & Aviation City, and Cayman Commodities & Derivatives Centre.
Charlie Kirkconnell, Chief Executive Officer of CEC and Director of Enterprise Cayman, expressed the initial challenge faced in convincing potential clients that Cayman is not limited to tourism and financial services, but rather an ideal fit for their ventures as well. Kirkconnell highlighted the remarkable achievements of the CEC socioeconomic development project, positioning Cayman as an ideal hub for knowledge and technology projects encompassing FinTech, MedTech, software development, artificial intelligence, Web3, commodities & derivatives trading, maritime, aviation, media, and digital marketing. Prominent companies such as Brave, Algorand, Chainlink, Real Vision, and Vox Royalty have already found a home within the SEZs.
Through its nonprofit organization, Enterprise Cayman, CEC actively supports employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Caymanians, offering internships, mentorship programs, skill-building workshops, and valuable networking and community engagement initiatives. Kirkconnell emphasized CEC's commitment to ensuring that the local community directly benefits from the growth of the SEZs. This dedication has resulted in a significant influx of cutting-edge technologists establishing offices in Cayman, leading to knowledge transfer and creating new career and entrepreneurship prospects for the local population.
The Cayman Islands offers numerous appealing factors, both professionally and personally, for businesses considering setting up in the region. These include a robust regulatory and oversight environment, well-established and continually evolving technology and professional support infrastructure, a close-knit and accessible community that facilitates swift integration for individuals and families, and the alluring "cosmopolitan island lifestyle" unique to the Cayman Islands.
"While we celebrate this significant milestone, our focus remains on the future and the opportunities to further develop and support a thriving business community," stated Kirkconnell. "The opening of CEC's inaugural building, part of a purpose-built mixed-use development in George Town, and surpassing the 400-company mark in 2024 will enhance economic diversification and unlock new opportunities for everyone involved."
Kirkconnell added, "CEC's mission extends beyond persuading companies to establish themselves in Cayman; it also entails fostering a globally renowned innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem that attracts leading businesses to invest in Cayman and creates dynamic opportunities for local entrepreneurs and professionals in the knowledge and technology sectors. We are incredibly excited about the future potential of Cayman and the CEC socioeconomic development project."
