The Idea: How It All Started

Like all great ideas in Vanuatu, this one started with a shell of kava and a good storian. One evening, as we sat around the kava bowl, the conversation turned to how other countries showcase their entrepreneurs. Someone mentioned Shark Tank in the U.S., and that’s when inspiration struck—why not create our own version, one that truly reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of Vanuatu?

The name ‘Canoe Race’ was not just chosen at random. In Vanuatu, the canoe has long been more than just a mode of transport—it is a symbol of trade, connection, and survival between our islands. At the heart of this name is the belief that success in business is much like a canoe race—it requires strategy, endurance, teamwork, and the ability to navigate unpredictable waters.

This became the foundation of the show’s concept: a reality competition where participants take on business challenges that test their skills in real-world scenarios, proving that true entrepreneurs, like skilled navigators, must always be ready to adapt, push forward, and ride the waves of opportunity.

Image: Studio filming with the show’s contestants

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The Role of V-Lab in Bringing the Idea to Life

At V-Lab, we’ve always believed that innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of Vanuatu’s growth. When the idea for Canoe Race: The Ultimate Entrepreneur first came up, we knew this was something special—something we wanted to be a part of. As an incubator dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in Vanuatu, it felt like a perfect fit to help bring this vision to life.

This project did not happen overnight. In fact, it has been in the works for over four years. Along the way, we had countless conversations, brainstorming sessions, and plans that evolved into a low-budget trailer featuring entrepreneurs from a 2021 V-Lab program. We posted the trailer on social media to test the waters and see if the public was just as excited as we were—and to start pitching the idea to potential partners.

Once we had the green light and enough funding in place, we used our extensive network of business experts, mentors, and industry leaders to help us structure the competition in a way that reflected the real-life challenges entrepreneurs’ face in Vanuatu. The challenges themselves were designed to push contestants in all the ways that matter in business—problem solving, creativity, innovation, and marketing. And while they’re entertaining to watch, these challenges also keep it real. They demand the adaptability, resourcefulness, and resilience that are at the heart of any entrepreneurial journey.

However, the magic did not stop there. Working on this project also became a hands-on learning experience for everyone involved, especially the VBTC (Vanuatu Broadcasting and Televison Corporation) production crew. Director Paul Vunituraga from Fiji came on board, bringing with him years of experience and helping the VBTC team gain invaluable knowledge in producing high-quality reality television.

It was a true capacity-building exercise for both the contestants and the crew—everyone walked away with skills and experiences they will carry with them moving forward.

Partnering with VBTC: Taking the Vision to Television

A big step in making this dream a reality was securing a partnership with the VBTC. As the national broadcaster, VBTC brought the reach and expertise we needed to take Canoe Race: The Ultimate Entrepreneur to a national level.

When we pitched the idea to VBTC, they immediately saw its potential—not just as a reality competition, but also as a platform that would promote entrepreneurship and celebrate the unique culture of Vanuatu. They understood that this was not just another reality competition; it was an opportunity to showcase the unique spirit of Vanuatu’s entrepreneurs to the world.

This partnership was a game-changer for us. VBTC offered the technical support, broadcasting platform, and promotional power that ensured Canoe Race would have a real impact.

However, it did not stop there. One of the biggest contributors to the success of the show was the involvement of Paul Vunituraga. Paul brought his wealth of experience in reality TV to the table, leading a dedicated team of five VBTC crewmembers, as well as an editor and sound engineer, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes on each episode.

Thanks to Paul’s guidance and the crew’s hard work, we were able to turn our vision into a high-quality show that we are all incredibly proud of.

Image: Paul Vunituraga; Director of ‘The Canoe Race’, briefing contestants

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It Takes a Village: The Partners Who Brought Canoe Race to Life

Bringing a project of this scale to life was no small feat. We had the vision, the passion, and the determination—but we also knew that to make Canoe Race: The Ultimate Entrepreneur a reality, we needed strong financial backing and the right partners who shared our belief in supporting entrepreneurship in Vanuatu.

That is where our incredible sponsors and supporters stepped in. Each of them did not just provide funding—they became part of the journey, contributing their expertise, resources, and even actively participating in the challenges to ensure the show was as impactful as possible.

• DFAT (Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade): With their commitment to fostering business development and innovation in the Pacific, DFAT saw the potential in Canoe Race and helped fund key aspects of production, making it possible for the show to reach a wide audience.
• Reserve Bank of Vanuatu (RBV): Financial literacy is a crucial skill for any entrepreneur, and RBV recognized how this show could be a powerful tool to educate and inspire.
• MFAT (New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade): Sharing a similar vision as DFAT, MFAT came on board to help expand the reach and impact of the show, ensuring more people across the Pacific could be inspired by the stories and lessons from our contestants.
• Vodafone Vanuatu: More than just a sponsor, Vodafone truly integrated into the competition. Not only did they provide communication support and reach, but they also played a hands-on role by lending phones to contestants for the marketing challenge, pushing them to think creatively about digital promotion.
• Vanuatu Ferry: They were not just funders; they were active partners, even integrating their Noanoa soap product into the challenges.
• Calorite Graphic Printers: Calorite provided high-quality printing services for the show. Their support includes printing branded materials such as banners, backdrop sets and promotional materials. Their contribution ensures that the show has a strong visual identity, reinforcing its professional look and making it more engaging for both contestants and audiences.

Canoe Race: The Ultimate Entrepreneur – From Kava Talk to Reality

What started as a casual kava conversation has turned into something much bigger. With the support of VBTC, and our incredible sponsors, Canoe Race: The Ultimate Entrepreneur is now a full-scale reality show, shining a spotlight on Vanuatu’s boldest business minds.

From fashion and music to eco-friendly packaging, our nine contestants are proving that entrepreneurship in Vanuatu is diverse and dynamic. With three expert judges and two dedicated coaches guiding them, each challenge pushes their creativity, decision-making, and resilience—just like in real business.

Filming has taken us to several locations, adding depth and richness to the show. While some segments are shot in the VBTC studio, many challenges take place in various outdoor locations, capturing the essence of Vanuatu’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape.

The premiere of the first episode was a spectacular event, held at Fatumaru Bay, Port Vila under the open sky, bringing the community together to witness the launch of something truly special. In the coming weeks, we will be taking the show even further—visiting four different communities to screen the episodes and ensure that Canoe Race reaches and inspires as many people as possible.

Looking Ahead

As Canoe Race: The Ultimate Entrepreneur unfolds; we cannot wait to see the impact it will have. This show is more than just a competition—it is a movement, a celebration of Vanuatu’s entrepreneurial spirit, and a platform that encourages innovation, resilience, and growth.

Moreover, this is just the beginning. We are already dreaming of Season 2, Season 3, and beyond. Even more exciting, we hope to see other countries in the region take on this concept and create their own versions.

Our biggest hope? That this show inspires people to take that first step—because anyone can become an entrepreneur if they have the passion, the commitment, and the courage to chase their dreams.

Image: Outdoor filming on location at Holiday Inn Resort

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