MastersKonnect: Young Jamaican Innovators Build Platform for Freelancers

From Classroom to Code: 3 College Graduates Kishan Coote, Weygehon Caldden, and Terrence Lawn turn high school idea into MastersKonnect, a modern app bridging Jamaica’s freelance gap

MastersKonnect app connects Jamaicans to reliable freelance services

In a country where many Jamaicans operate with a daily hustle mentality — searching for short-term jobs or gigs just to get by — a group of students is hoping to offer a more reliable solution. Their creation, MastersKonnect, is a new app designed to connect clients with verified freelancers across the island.

The idea was first conceived by co-founders Kishan Coote and Weygehon Caldden while they were still in high school. “The feedback was really positive, and it stayed with me. Over time, I realized that while the idea had potential, it would require a lot of capital, a large workforce and networking connections, things I didn’t have at the time,” Coote shared.

MastersKonnect co-founder Kishan Coote

In 2021, Coote revisited the idea with a fresh perspective during a brainstorming session with his partners, including Caldden and Terrence Lawn. “My partners and I were brainstorming business ideas, and I brought it back to the table. Together, we refined it into something more open, scalable, tech-driven, and that’s how MastersKonnect was born,” he explained.

The team recognized a familiar issue across Jamaica — the difficulty in finding and trusting freelance talent. “I think we all notice a big gap in the construction and freelance service space in Jamaica, the lack of reliable and accessible connections between skilled professionals and clients,” Coote noted.

Many Jamaicans still depend on personal referrals or informal word-of-mouth networks. “Most people still rely on personal testaments and recommendations or word of mouth — ‘someone who knows someone’ — which sometimes can lead to miscommunication, mistrust, and uncertainty. It’s like playing Chinese telephone,” he added.

MastersKonnect offers a structured digital alternative. “We created a platform where people can find vetted service providers easily, communicate directly, and get the job done with more confidence. No more calling Paul down the road to reach his cousin the painter — just open the app, search for what you need, and you're sorted,” Coote said.

"We created a platform where people can find vetted service providers easily, communicate directly, and get the job done with more confidence"

With MastersKonnect, the student-led team is working to bring innovation to the freelance space and potentially open new opportunities for many young Jamaicans who are searching for more stable work. The app is currently available for download on all major platforms.