The Story of Jamaica’s 1st AI Company

We are StarApple Analytics, Jamaica’s first Data Science and AI company. Our goal is to make Jamaica the global hub of technology innovation, creating jobs and maximizing value for companies.

What have we accomplished thus far?

The opening of our US subsidiary, exporting our talents outside of the Caribbean
Investment from the RJRGLEANER Group
Our training program; Trainlytics focused on upskilling Youth and helping Non-profits
Our Lab Section 9, does ‘test and learn’ focused on Art, Crime, Sports and Social Good initiatives – using AI to better quality of life

So with all these accomplishments where did it all begin?

StarApple AI is the culmination of my life and experiences. I grew up with a love for art, science, and technology. I also grew up around entrepreneurs that could laser focus on problems and then figure out how to solve them, for a profit of course. I learned from a young age that the tool should fit the problem, and simple is better than complex.

In 2005, I was inspired by a show called Numbers, where a group of scientists and FBI agents solved crimes with science. I wanted to create a foundation that solved World problems; hunger, pollution, financial illiteracy, climate change and energy. The good thing with youth is blissful ignorance to take on anything.

I went through University doing all sorts of courses; Computer Science, Physics, Finance, History, and a few more than I can’t remember. All to figure out what was a good fit for me, I finally graduated with a degree in Maths and Physics, but I was just as clueless about what I wanted to do as when I started. I’ll bet a lot of you struggled with these questions as well, especially since the pandemic. What is my passion? And can I make a living doing it? The pandemic offered a reset and pause, to focus on what’s truly important. Many people around the world took the opportunity to quit their jobs and follow their passions. Do what you love and it won’t feel like work, sounds simple enough.

I worked for years in the Corporate World and then 2.5 years ago I decided to take the entrepreneurial leap. The idea I had years ago for a foundation to solve all the world’s problems, I would make a reality. And how do you solve problems? You start with Data. I saw a clear trillion-dollar gap locally and globally; Data not being used to fuel decision making and A.I that can strengthen Caribbean economics. It was clear as the sun and moon to me, but still fuzzy for others to see, let alone take advantage of. We charge businesses money to solve problems using data analytics and A.I and then use the money to solve the world’s problems, Win-win. I had a market gap and the ability to fill it, but what to name the company?

Why did I call it StarApple?

I settled on the name StarApple. Spoiler, no one liked the name at first. “StarApple selfish…” was the general feedback I got. I understood why they didn’t like it, but I had a different perspective. StarApples know their value and anything worth the effort is worth the work, so they don’t just fall to the ground. If you want to achieve something in life, you have to climb for the prize and don’t expect an opportunity to wait for you.

The inspiration for the name comes from my Grandma Joyce, “Love you, Gram”. One of my most distinct memories as a child is her coming from Market and giving me this dark purple tough-looking thing and telling me to cut it open. Grandma said it was a special apple, it was the ugliest apple I ever saw, me being used to Otaheite. When I cut it open, “BAM”, clear as day, this ugly thing had a hidden star on the inside. I was amazed and StarApples became my favourite fruit, the symbolism stuck with me; there is more to the world than what you see, just dig deeper to get more value. It’s the same with Data and People. When it came time for me to choose a name, there was no other choice. StarApple Analytics would reveal the hidden and turn it into real-world value.

StarApple launched right as the pandemic started, saying it was rough is an understatement. Businesses were focused on cutting costs and getting to some semblance of control. It wasn’t easy convincing them to spend on Data Science and AI during such a chaotic time, it was viewed as a revenue drain. I viewed it differently, this was the best time to utilize Data Science and AI, to forecast the future, reduce risks, delight customers and secure revenue. Data Science and AI are profit drivers, we just had to prove it. We did it over and over for every client, and two years later we have grown significantly and expanded outside of the Caribbean. It all started with an idea.

Stay Innovation Jamaica!