In 2013, thanks to a grant from ARCADES a European Union program, the Haiti Jazz Foundation was able to acquire sound and light equipment for a 250 people capacity venue, which allowed the institution to create NEXT BEAT HAITI, a music contest in order to benefit emerging Haitian bands, from a large variety of music styles (from traditional, to urban & konpa and jazz). The NEXT BEAT HAITI events are a great way to create awareness around emerging bands or artists vis-à-vis journalists and music professionals, but also gives a significant impulse and helps the professionalization of the sector. The best band from each category had the chance to record a single in a professional studio from local studio partners of the project: Bwa Moket Studio, Baoli Records Studio, Real Biz Studio.