Port of Spain, August 12, 2026 – GigLink, a digital platform connecting musicians with clients while helping them manage the business side of their careers, won Techstars Startup Weekend Trinidad and Tobago after a 54-hour challenge hosted by Global Trinidad and Tobago (GlobalTT). Watt Up placed second and Sync the Island placed third.
The programme brought together 40 participants from technology, music, production, education and finance to develop commercially relevant solutions for the creative industries. Over three days, 12 initial ideas were narrowed to six team concepts, giving participants a structured opportunity to test problems, refine business models and pitch solutions with the potential to become intellectual property, viable enterprises and exports.
For musicians and other creative professionals, the challenge focused attention on practical gaps that can limit growth, including access to clients, business administration and the use of technology to reach wider markets. For the country, programmes of this kind help build an early-stage pipeline of entrepreneurs by connecting talent with nine experienced mentors, peer collaboration and market-focused feedback before significantly more time and capital are committed.
Participants pitched 12 ideas, which were narrowed by peer vote to six team concepts. With guidance from nine mentors, the teams tested their assumptions, strengthened their business models and refined their presentations before pitching to the judges. A participant jam session, led by facilitator Curtis Michaelson, brought the creative spirit of the weekend to life.
The final pitch presentations were opened by Permanent Secretary Abigail Bynoe of the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, who encouraged participants to develop solutions that address real challenges and have the potential to compete beyond Trinidad and Tobago. “The Caribbean should not only be a user of technology developed elsewhere. We can build technology grounded in our own experience and capable of serving markets beyond our shores. Let us move from ideas to intellectual property, from prototypes to enterprises, and from local creativity to globally competitive Caribbean solutions.”
Melissa Jimenez, General Manager of the Music Export Office at Global Trinidad and Tobago, said the weekend demonstrated the potential that exists when technology and the creative industries come together. “This weekend showed us what is possible when creative thinkers, technologists and entrepreneurs come together to solve real problems. The ideas developed this weekend have the potential to strengthen our music ecosystem and create solutions that can reach markets across the Caribbean and beyond. The pitch may be over, but the real work starts now.”
The weekend was supported by the Private Sector Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (PSOTT), Clover, WAM, The Worx, Caribbean Dragons, Deel, Mercury, HSBC Innovation Banking, Brex and Google for Startups, together with the mentors, judges and tech stars facilitators. GlobalTT will continue to use programmes and partnerships that help local innovators test ideas, build investible businesses and pursue regional and international markets.
For recaps of Techstars Startup Weekend POS, visit @globaltrinidadandtobago and @musicoftt on social media.
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