Did you miss it live? We've got your back! Click below to watch of the interview segment of this session on YouTube.
Watch Full Interview on YouTube
Introduction
At this week’s Tech Tuesdays session, we had the pleasure of hearing from Veronica Millington, a trailblazing Barbadian product strategist and innovation lead at the UNDP Accelerator Labs. In a candid, inspiring conversation, Veronica walked us through her journey—from childhood dreams of becoming a chef to co-founding one of the Caribbean’s most impactful transportation tech companies, Caribbean Transit Solutions (CTS).
Watch Full Interview on YouTube
Start Where You Are: Solving Real Problems
Veronica’s path into tech wasn’t traditional. She didn’t start out in software development. Instead, her entrepreneurial mindset and passion for impact led her to ask a powerful question: Why not us? That question became the foundation for Beat Bus, Barbados’ first public transit tracking app. It began with a simple idea—help commuters know when their bus is coming—and evolved into a data-driven platform that would later enable usage-based insurance, fleet management, and more.
Her approach was refreshingly pragmatic. CTS launched with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) that didn’t include real-time tracking—because the infrastructure wasn’t yet available. Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, they rolled out a version that delivered static route info and kept iterating from there. That lean start-up spirit—build, measure, learn—helped them gain traction and survive in a tough regional environment.
Navigating the Realities of Start-ups in the Caribbean
Veronica emphasized that success as a founder in the Caribbean often means navigating infrastructure gaps, low smartphone penetration, and limited access to funding. Rather than be discouraged, she and her co-founder, Khalil Bryan, built modular solutions that could evolve with the market. They turned constraints into creativity—eventually scaling CTS to five countries and raising capital from grants, angel investors, and corporate partnerships.
Watch Full Interview on YouTube
Despite their traction, not all products survived. Some apps like Beat Cab were sunset when they no longer met key performance metrics. Others, like Beat Bus, were paused due to a strategic business exit. Yet, Veronica views these pivots not as failures, but as informed decisions rooted in metrics, community feedback, and adaptability.
Impact Beyond Entrepreneurship
After selling CTS, Veronica took a bold pivot. Rather than build another product, she joined the UNDP as Head of Exploration for the Accelerator Labs. Why the shift? Because after years of trying to build from the outside, she realized real change also requires working within the system. At UNDP, she helps governments and grassroots innovators solve complex problems aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her team doesn’t just fund start-ups—they connect them to the right partners, data, and opportunities across the region.
Advice for Aspiring Builders
Her message for aspiring founders in the Caribbean? Start now—even if it’s not perfect. Your MVP won’t be flawless, but the feedback you’ll get from launching will be far more valuable than what you’ll gain by waiting. And perhaps most importantly: don’t build in isolation. Partner with others. The Caribbean needs more collaboration, not competition.
Watch Full Interview on YouTube
She also encouraged creators to see beyond borders: “Don’t think small because we are small.” The challenges we face in Barbados or Dominica are mirrored in Ghana, in Trinidad, in Kenya. If you can solve a local problem well, chances are, you’ve got something that can scale across the global south.
Watch Full Interview on YouTube
What's Next?
Looking ahead, Veronica is particularly excited about opportunities in HealthTech and AgriTech—sectors she believes are ripe for disruption in the Caribbean. Whether it's food security or access to healthcare, she sees massive potential for innovators in the region to lead the way.
If you're sitting on an idea, wondering if now is the right time—Veronica’s story reminds us: the best time to start building was yesterday. The second-best time is today.
🌍 Know a Caribbean or diaspora innovator who should be featured next? Nominate them here.
🔗 Missed the session? Stay tuned for the full video on DX Alliance's YouTube Channel. Until then, keep showing up, keep building—and believe that your idea might just be the one that changes everything.
Watch Full Interview on YouTube