PowerUp Competition for Young Innovators in Trinidad and Tobago

The PowerUp Competition 2026 is a national innovation challenge in Trinidad and Tobago that encourages young people aged 8–18 years to create technology-based solutions for real-world problems. Organized by the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), the competition is open to students who have completed the 2026 Innovation Nation Programme and offers prizes, recognition, and opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills.

What is the PowerUp Competition?

The PowerUp Competition is a youth innovation initiative designed to inspire creativity, technology development, and problem-solving among students in Trinidad and Tobago.

The competition encourages young innovators to:

Identify real-world challenges
Develop technology-powered solutions
Build prototypes
Present innovative ideas through short pitches
Explore entrepreneurship and innovation

The initiative aims to create a culture of innovation among young people by providing a platform where students can transform ideas into practical solutions.

Organized By

The PowerUp Competition is organized by the:

Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI)

CARIRI designed the competition to support youth innovation, creativity, and technology-based entrepreneurship.

Objectives of the PowerUp Competition

The competition aims to:

Encourage young people to develop innovative ideas
Promote technology-based problem solving
Build entrepreneurial skills among students
Support creativity and experimentation
Recognize young innovators in Trinidad and Tobago
Encourage students to address community and global challenges

Who Can Participate?

The competition is open to:

Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago
Students aged 8 to 18 years
Participants who have completed the 2026 Innovation Nation Programme

Applicants must have:

Completed the Innovation Nation Programme
Earned the required programme certificate
Developed a technology-focused innovation idea

School Categories

The competition includes separate categories for:

Primary School Students

For younger innovators developing technology solutions suitable for primary-level participation.

Secondary School Students

For older students creating more advanced innovation projects and prototypes.

Eligibility Requirements

Participants must meet the following conditions:

Be between 8 and 18 years old
Be a national of Trinidad and Tobago
Successfully complete the 2026 Innovation Nation Programme
Submit an eligible technology-based innovation project

Who Cannot Participate?

The following individuals are not eligible:

Employees of CARIRI
Employees of competition sponsors
Competition judges
Immediate family members of employees, sponsors, or judges
Previous first to fifth place winners

Competition Process

The PowerUp Competition follows an innovation development process.

Step 1: Develop an Innovation Idea

Participants identify a real-world problem and design a technology-powered solution.

Ideas may address areas such as:

Education
Environment
Community challenges
Technology improvement
Social issues

Step 2: Build a Prototype

Participants are encouraged to transform their ideas into working models or prototypes.

A prototype helps demonstrate:

How the solution works
Its potential impact
Technical possibilities

Step 3: Prepare a Pitch

Participants must present their innovation through a concise pitch.

Pitch requirements:

Maximum duration: under 5 minutes
Explain the problem
Present the solution
Describe the technology used
Highlight the impact

Step 4: Competition Evaluation

Projects are assessed based on innovation, creativity, feasibility, and presentation quality.

Prizes and Recognition

The top five winners in each school category receive:

School trophy
Starter account with Republic Bank Limited
Cash prizes

Cash Prize Range

Winning participants receive prizes ranging from:

$1,000 TTD to $5,000 TTD

The awards recognize young innovators and encourage continued development of their ideas.

Skills Participants Can Develop

Through the competition, students can improve:

Creativity and innovation skills
Technology development abilities
Problem-solving skills
Presentation and communication skills
Entrepreneurship mindset
Project development experience

Why the PowerUp Competition Matters

Young innovators play an important role in developing future solutions for society.

The competition helps students:

Think creatively about challenges
Gain confidence in sharing ideas
Learn how technology can solve problems
Develop early entrepreneurial skills
Connect innovation with community needs

By supporting youth-led innovation, the program contributes to building a future generation of technology creators and problem solvers in Trinidad and Tobago.

Tips for Creating a Strong Entry

Participants should:

Choose a meaningful real-world problem
Develop a practical and creative solution
Clearly explain how technology supports the idea
Create a simple but effective prototype
Practice a clear and confident pitch
Focus on the impact of the solution

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Participants should avoid:

Creating ideas without identifying a real problem
Presenting unclear solutions
Making pitches too long
Ignoring prototype development
Failing to explain the benefits of their innovation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the PowerUp Competition?

The PowerUp Competition is a national innovation challenge that allows young people in Trinidad and Tobago to develop and present technology-based solutions.

2. Who can participate?

Students aged 8–18 years who are nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and have completed the 2026 Innovation Nation Programme can participate.

3. Is completion of the Innovation Nation Programme required?

Yes. Participants must complete the 2026 Innovation Nation Programme and receive certification before entering the competition.

4. What type of projects can students submit?

Students should develop technology-powered solutions that address real-world problems.

5. How long can the competition pitch be?

Each participant must deliver a pitch lasting less than five minutes.

6. What prizes do winners receive?

The top five winners in each school category receive trophies, Republic Bank Limited starter accounts, and cash prizes between $1,000 and $5,000 TTD.

7. Who organizes the PowerUp Competition?

The competition is organized by the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI).

Conclusion

The PowerUp Competition 2026 provides young innovators in Trinidad and Tobago with an opportunity to transform ideas into technology-driven solutions. By combining innovation training, prototype development, and public pitching, the competition helps students build creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial skills while contributing ideas to solve real-world challenges.