A group of entrepreneurs from across the Pacific and Caribbean is showing how small island nations are developing homegrown responses to climate and economic challenges.
Through the Commonwealth Investment Network, seven businesses are being supported to strengthen their investment readiness in areas ranging from renewable energy and recycling to organic farming and disaster-resilient engineering. The Commonwealth is home to 33 small states, including 25 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of which face shared pressures linked to climate change and access to finance, but who are also building vibrant sustainable business sectors.
The inaugural CIN cohort brings together enterprises from Fiji, Grenada, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, reflecting both the diversity of Commonwealth small states and a shared focus on practical, commercially viable solutions. Rooted in local communities, these businesses are creating jobs, reducing waste, improving food security and strengthening infrastructure in places where a single storm, crop failure or energy price spike can affect thousands of livelihoods.
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Following a recent visit to engage with cohort members in Grenada, Neil Balchin, Economic Adviser for Trade Policy Analysis at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said the initiative highlights how local enterprise can translate into wider opportunity:
“What stands out is not only the commercial potential of these businesses, but their ability to turn environmental challenges into investable opportunities that directly benefit their local communities. These entrepreneurs are showing that small states are not just adapting to global change, they are helping shape practical solutions.”
Caribbean enterprises turning waste into wealth
In the Caribbean, Grenada is home to three of the featured enterprises that are helping to protect natural resources while also harnessing untapped economic opportunities. Belmont Estate combines organic cocoa and spice production with agri-tourism and heritage education, supporting rural jobs while keeping cultural traditions alive. Green Feeds turns organic and non-organic waste into products such as biochar and animal feed, reducing landfill and opening new income streams for local workers. SarGas is developing technology to convert sargassum seaweed and other biowaste into renewable biogas, with the potential to lower energy costs and reduce reliance on imported fuels.
Shadel Nyack Compton, Managing Director of Belmont Estate in Grenada, said:
“Working with the Commonwealth Investment Network has been a genuinely positive and transformative experience for Belmont Estate, providing access to global expertise, strategic insight, and meaningful investor connections at a critical stage of our growth. The CIN team has created a collaborative and enabling environment grounded in a strong understanding of our context, connecting purpose-driven businesses like ours to partners committed to measurable, long-term impact.”
Pacific innovators building resilience from the ground up
Across the Pacific, the focus is on safer communities and stronger livelihoods. In Vanuatu, BildBeta helps design safer buildings and infrastructure in disaster-prone areas, while RecycleCorp is expanding recycling services that create jobs and cleaner towns. In Papua New Guinea, Eagle Vetiver Systems supports farmers by restoring degraded land and reducing flood risks. In Fiji, OraSoil transforms agricultural by-products into soil restoring materials that help farmers retain moisture and reduce erosion.
Together, these enterprises show why small business innovation matters for the Commonwealth, strengthening local economies, supporting safer and more resilient communities and promoting sustainable use of natural resources. The cohort will meet in London from 9–13 March for the Commonwealth Investment Network Summit, where they will connect with investors and partners during Commonwealth Week.
