Govt Grants $100,000 to New Childcare Entrepreneurs

Fifty individuals have completed Guyana’s Early Childhood Development Course and received a $100,000 startup grant to launch home-based childcare services. The initiative, backed by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, aims to expand quality childcare options while fostering entrepreneurship in the sector. Graduates will undergo monthly inspections to ensure compliance with national standards. Some recipients plan to open night-care services, a growing demand among working parents. The program represents a $5 million investment by the government in early childhood care.

Guyana’s Real Estate Market Grows as Housing Expansion Continues

Guyana’s government is ramping up housing development efforts to clear a backlog of applications, with new projects in Region Two set to provide nearly 800 house lots. A major drainage project is also underway to address flooding concerns, ensuring that residents can access their new properties without issue. With additional land allocations in the pipeline, the country’s real estate market is showing strong growth potential, catering to increasing demand from a booming population and economic expansion.

Business Opportunities Based On Today’s Developments

Small Enterprises (Startups & Microbusinesses)

1. Home-Based Night Care Services

• Opportunity: The government is actively supporting home-based childcare businesses through grants and training. There is an underserved market for night-time childcare, as many working parents require overnight supervision for children.

• Execution: Entrepreneurs can launch night-care centers with minimal startup capital and government grants. Locations near industrial zones, hospitals, or major business hubs would be ideal.

• Scalability: With proper branding, this service could expand into a daycare franchise model.

2. Guyanese Fast-Casual Cuisine & Food Truck

• Opportunity: The DatzDeli franchise in NYC is proving that Guyanese food has international demand. There is potential for a fast-casual restaurant or food truck offering authentic local dishes, targeting both locals and tourists.

• Execution: Start with a food truck or small eatery in Georgetown or near business hubs. A strong online presence and partnerships with delivery platforms (Glovo, MMG Payments) can drive visibility.

• Scalability: Once successful, expand into a franchise or catering service.

3. Road Safety Awareness and Driver Training Programs

• Opportunity: The police report on reckless driving and rising traffic incidents highlights a market for professional driving schools, safety workshops, and consultancy on fleet management.

• Execution: Offer corporate driver training to logistics companies, taxi fleets, and corporate transport providers. Partner with insurance companies to provide discounts for certified drivers.

• Scalability: Expand into a government-accredited driving academy or offer advanced defensive driving courses.

Medium Enterprises (Growth-Oriented Businesses)

1. Security & Surveillance Solutions for Oil and Gas Operators

• Opportunity: The Venezuelan naval incursion into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) raises serious security concerns for offshore operators like ExxonMobil.

• Execution: A business could offer surveillance technology, private security contracts, and emergency response planning for companies operating in the offshore sector.

• Scalability: Establish long-term contracts with foreign oil operators, logistics providers, and infrastructure firms.

2. Modular Housing & Construction Services

• Opportunity: The 500 house lots allocated in Region Two, combined with government-backed housing programs, create demand for affordable housing solutions and modular construction.

• Execution: A construction firm could specialize in pre-fabricated homes, fast-deploy housing, and small-scale real estate development. Partnering with the government could unlock bulk contracts.

• Scalability: The company could expand regionally as more housing projects come online.

3. Exporting Guyanese Food Products to the U.S. and Caribbean

• Opportunity: DatzDeli’s success in NYC proves demand for authentic Guyanese flavors in the diaspora market.

• Execution: A business could package and export local food products, such as spices, sauces, and pre-cooked meals, targeting Caribbean grocery stores in the U.S., Canada, and UK.

• Scalability: With the right partnerships, the business could expand into restaurant supply chains.

Large Enterprises (Corporate & High-Capital Ventures)

1. Private Security & Risk Management for Foreign Investors

• Opportunity: The geopolitical tension with Venezuela, combined with ExxonMobil’s concerns over regional security, makes risk management a high-priority investment.

• Execution: A firm specializing in private security, risk assessment, and crisis management could secure long-term contracts with foreign corporations, embassies, and government agencies.

• Scalability: Expand into maritime security, oil platform surveillance, and executive protection services.

2. Renewable Energy Solutions for Housing & Oil Sector

• Opportunity: With thousands of new homes planned and rising energy demands from the oil & gas sector, the market is ripe for solar power, energy efficiency solutions, and hybrid microgrids.

• Execution: Launch solar power solutions for residential communities and off-grid power systems for industrial sites.

• Scalability: Secure government contracts and private-sector partnerships for sustainable energy infrastructure.

3. Deep-Sea Logistics & Port Infrastructure

• Opportunity: The maritime aggression by Venezuela underscores the need for enhanced port security, logistics, and deep-sea shipping infrastructure.

• Execution: Invest in offshore supply chains, logistics hubs, and private port development to support oil production and exports.

• Scalability: Secure contracts with ExxonMobil, government agencies, and logistics firms operating in Guyana’s EEZ.

Final Thoughts

The most lucrative opportunities revolve around security, infrastructure, and high-growth consumer markets. For small enterprises, service-based models with government support (childcare, road safety) offer low-risk, high-reward entry points. Medium enterprises can capitalize on construction, export markets, and technology-driven services, while large enterprises should focus on security, energy, and logistics, which are crucial for Guyana’s future economic stability.

Side Hustle Ideas Based On Today’s Developments

. Corporate & Executive Security Consultant (High-Demand Service for Businesses & Expats)

Why This is a Big Opportunity

With increased geopolitical tensions with Venezuela, high-value businesses like ExxonMobil, logistics companies, and international investors are prioritizing security training and risk management. There is an emerging need for private security consultation, executive protection advice, and situational awareness training—even for individuals who do not work in the security sector.

How to Start

• Develop skills: Take online courses in security awareness, crisis response, and risk assessment (many are free or low-cost).

• Target market: Offer security awareness sessions for business owners, landlords, and expats, helping them understand risks and preventive measures.

• Networking: Build relationships with corporate professionals, hospitality managers (hotels, restaurants), and real estate developers—who need enhanced security for foreign tenants and VIP guests.

• Scalability: Start as a freelancer, then expand into corporate security consultation or VIP training for diplomats and executives.

Potential Earnings: GYD $100,000 – $500,000 per month (based on corporate clients & training sessions).

2. Mobile Import & Resale Business (High-Demand, Low-Investment E-commerce Model)

Why This is a Big Opportunity

Today’s Dream Realised Housing Initiative shows massive demand for home improvement products, construction materials, and modern home appliances. Many items are still difficult to source in Guyana or are overpriced. A mobile import business—ordering, consolidating, and reselling specific items from the U.S., Canada, or China—could generate strong profit margins.

How to Start

• Niche selection: Focus on high-demand, high-margin items that people need but don’t want to wait months to import:

  • Smart home devices (security cameras, smart locks, energy-efficient gadgets)

  • High-quality construction tools (measuring equipment, solar-powered gadgets)

  • Fitness supplements & accessories (given the new supplement stores opening in gyms)

• Leverage dropshipping & pre-orders: Instead of keeping inventory, take pre-orders and bring in products monthly or bi-weekly.

• Partnerships: Work with local real estate developers, hardware stores, and gyms to bundle items and sell them in bulk.

Potential Earnings: GYD $200,000 – $800,000 per month (scalable based on order volume).

3. Private Night-Time Childcare & Babysitting Service (Low Investment, High-Demand Personal Service)

Why This is a Big Opportunity

The Government’s Early Childhood Development Program and the new focus on night-care services highlight a massive gap in the childcare market. Many working professionals, single parents, and shift workers struggle with evening and overnight childcare. A professional babysitting or overnight care service could be an easy way to generate recurring income.

How to Start

• Market research: Target nurses, security guards, retail workers, and hotel staff—anyone working night shifts.

• Flexible model:

  • Offer babysitting at the client’s home (minimal startup costs).

  • Consider a home-based overnight care service for multiple kids.

• Trust & credibility: Register as a certified childcare provider or partner with government-certified providers.

• Premium add-ons: Offer home tutoring, meal prep, or even late-night transport services for added income.

Potential Earnings: GYD $150,000 – $500,000 per month (depending on clientele and service options).

Final Thoughts

Each of these side hustles taps into new and growing market demands in Guyana’s evolving economy. Security, e-commerce, and childcare are high-need sectors, require minimal investment, and can quickly turn into full-time businesses for those looking to scale.