Port-au-Prince Startup Week is an avenue to rethink about life, to dream, to reconnect and to grow in strength ― Pierre Stanley Baptiste

Pierre Stanley Baptiste is on a mission. He is fulfilling his purpose through various means. He aims to teach people what he was not prepared for as a youngster, helps others build on their skills and talents, and most importantly supports the youth in Haiti to prosper and be the best version of themselves. 

Pierre Stanley is one of the leaders, producing Port-au-Prince Startup Week, happening this year from August 5th to the 9th. The ultimate goal is to bring a sense of hope to the affected communities. While the name is precisely “Pot-au-Prince Startup Week,” you might be startled that this is not merely about businesses and entrepreneurship. The staff at Port-au-Prince Startup Week pondered on how they could bring hope and equip the people of Haiti with skills and knowledge that will help them regain their strength to pursue their dreams.

Some people have been feeling discouraged, lost, and trapped due to all the recent political hurdles in Haiti. Many people felt as if there is no light out of the tunnel, and that’s why Port-au-Prince Startup Week will bring a mixture of programs to their agenda this year. Port-au-Prince Startup Week is an avenue to rethink about life, to dream, to be motivated, to reconnect and to grow in strength.

In the past, Port-au-Prince Startup Week has been heavily focused on bringing speakers all over the world. Last year, they had over 50 speakers speaking on several panels with different tracks for about 5 days.

This year, the theme is centered around giving to the community and the people a Blueprint for a thriving future.

The focus is on the three Rs: Reveal, Reconnect, and Renew.

Reconnect: for attendees to reconnect with the Haitian culture, reconnect with their set goals and truth.

Reveal: for attendees to reveal their emotions, their feelings, and to also show what amazing things people are doing and others don’t know about.

Renew: for attendees to be transformed, so when they go back to their communities, they have the stamina to work harder.

The team members, working on the ground and abroad, are committed and passionate about Port-au-Prince Startup Week. Pierre Stanley is the Event Director as he manages and coordinates the group globally.

For Pierre Stanley, it is his story. As a young man, he was not exposed to all these possibilities. But now, he can share what he has learned over the past few years with others who are in dire need of information to succeed in life. “Love is to give people what you didn’t receive.” He was very fortunate to find the organization called “Etre Ayisyen” to help him realize some of his goals. Now it is his turn to make sure that others have access to the resources that were not accessible to him.

“I want to set the light in the path that I have walked in, so others who walk in that same path already have the light they need, so they can walk into a straight and clear path.”