Island Glow Candles, 2025 NEXTGEN CEO Shark Tank Challenge winners.
A wave of youthful innovation swept through Central High School’s library on Friday night as the 2025 NEXTGEN CEO Shark Tank Challenge wrapped up its two-week summer program with a high-energy finale that drew a packed audience of parents, mentors, and community members.
Hosted by Women In Business VI & Caribbean Inc., the Shark Tank-style competition marked the culmination of the NEXTGEN CEO Summer Camp, held from June 9–20. The initiative provided participating students with intensive training in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, financial management, personal branding, and business ethics—all taught by professionals who volunteered their time to uplift the next generation of Virgin Islands leaders.
“This was no ordinary pitch night,” said Executive Director Ruth King Chaseau. “It was a showcase of vision, growth, and the future of entrepreneurship in the Virgin Islands.”
Four student teams took the stage Friday night to pitch business concepts developed over the course of the camp. After careful deliberation, the judges unanimously crowned Island Glow Candles as the winner. The student-led venture impressed with its commitment to sustainability, offering eco-conscious, locally scented candles made from recycled materials.
The winning team earned not only the title but also seed funding and access to ongoing mentorship to help bring their business vision to life.
This year’s panel of “sharks” included:
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Dr. Gail-Ann Guy – Founder & CEO of Zion Consulting Inc.
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Ernice Gilbert – Founder, President and Publisher of VI Consortium
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Gemaine Owen, M.D. – Owner of St. Croix Family Medicine
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Laura Forbes – Chief Pharmacist at JFL and local businesswoman
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Minerva Delauney – Assistant Principal, Central High School
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Shelley Williams – Founder & President of Great Exploration Tours VI & Atlanta
Camp participants spent two weeks in hands-on, future-focused workshops covering everything from copyright law and pitching to character development and digital professionalism. Instructors coached them to not only think like entrepreneurs but also present themselves with the polish of industry professionals.
Parents and community members in attendance Friday night filled the library from wall to wall, celebrating the youth’s bold ideas and poise on stage.
The 2025 camp and its finale event were made possible through the support of generous sponsors, including St. Croix Central High School, Great Exploration Tours, Beautiful Dreamers, ANATHA, and St. Croix Family Medicine.
With momentum and excitement building, organizers announced that the NEXTGEN CEO Summer Camp will return in summer 2026, promising even more opportunities for young innovators across the territory. The camp remains a proud original production of Women In Business VI & Caribbean Inc., an organization committed to nurturing purpose-driven leaders throughout the Virgin Islands and Caribbean region.
Those interested in partnering with, sponsoring, or participating in NEXTGEN 2026 are encouraged to contact the organization by calling (340) 642-0523 or emailing [email protected].
