Backed by
Future Caribbean is a global AI buildathon focused on deploying agentic systems into live economic environments, using small island states as high-signal testbeds for coordination at scale.
Teams build across disaster response, financial infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, and energy — with direct pathways to institutional pilots.
Built regionally. Designed to scale globally.
Why This Matters
As a region, the Caribbean has the scale, demand, and production capacity to function as a strong market. In practice, fragmentation turns it into inconsistent micro-markets. Buyers often default to sourcing from outside the region where supply is aggregated and predictable.
This is why roughly 80% of food is imported—but the same coordination gaps exist across energy, logistics, capital markets, and infrastructure. Builders operate in isolation. Capital is inefficiently routed. Markets lack shared visibility. Execution breaks down across borders.
The Caribbean is the testbed. If these coordination gaps can be solved here—across small, fragmented, real-world systems—they can be solved anywhere.
AI makes this possible. What once required large, coordinated labor forces can now be automated. Supply, demand, logistics, capital, and infrastructure can be continuously aligned across the region.
Backed by IDB, NYSE visibility, and a global network of investors and operators.
Prizes
Challenge Tracks
Launch Event
Process
This is not a traditional hackathon or competition. Every team is expected to build something real, work with real stakeholders, and deliver outcomes that can scale. Execution is the standard. A working prototype matters more than a polished deck.
Register individually or form a team of up to 4. Choose your challenge track. No prior AI experience required — builders, engineers, and operators welcome globally.
Top 40 teams selected by May 1. Compute provided same day. Teams are placed into their chosen track and expected to move immediately. No ramp-up period.
Selected teams build a working prototype, secure a pilot commitment, define a clear business model, and establish a company structure. Two weeks. One deliverable: a working prototype. GPU compute from Highrise. All virtual — standups on Gigaverse (virtual collaboration platform).
Teams may build using OpenClaw or any open-source agentic framework of their choice. OpenClaw on GitHub →
Winners announced May 19. Top 3 and Caribbean Builder Prize team present in Bridgetown, Barbados, May 26–28 — before investors, development banks, and operators.
🌐 The buildathon convenes on Gigaverse
All virtual standups, mentorship sessions, and community events happen here. Join now to connect with other builders before the build phase begins.
The entire build phase runs online. All standups, mentorship sessions, and collaboration take place on Gigaverse (virtual collaboration platform). No travel required until Demo Day finals.
Teams build a working prototype using OpenClaw or any open-source agentic framework, with GPU compute provided by Highrise.
Who Should Apply
Who this is for
Minimum requirements
Evaluation
Execution over experimentation. Judges evaluate on real-world impact and deployment readiness.
How effectively agentic AI is integrated and whether the prototype functions as intended across its core use case.
How directly and credibly the solution addresses a real Caribbean economic or climate challenge.
Transparency, human oversight, clear accountability, and enterprise-grade security built in from day one.
A realistic route to deployment. Human-in-the-loop oversight is a core requirement, not an optional feature.
Clarity and persuasiveness of the team's live pitch to judges and investors at Demo Day in Bridgetown.
Panel
Evaluated by investors and operators who have backed category-defining companies and deployed capital across technology cycles.
Bill Tai
ConfirmedLead Judge · Venture Investor
Founding investor in Canva, Zoom, and Dapper Labs. Partner at Charles River Ventures. Recognized for backing category-defining companies across multiple technology cycles.
Additional Judge
To be announced
Additional Judge
To be announced
Further judges will be announced before May 1. Follow on Gigaverse for updates.
FAQ
What do I actually get if I'm selected?
Top teams get the opportunity to build alongside a focused group of high-calibre builders, with exposure to advisors, investors, and operators connected to the ecosystem around the buildathon. Finalists will present in Barbados during IDB Invest Sustainability Week, and high-potential teams may receive introductions, strategic support, and ongoing engagement post-build.
What is required to apply?
A clear idea, a capable team with at least one technical builder, and the ability to execute quickly. Applications should demonstrate why your team can deliver a working solution within two weeks and why the problem you are solving matters.
How are teams selected?
Teams are evaluated on strength of execution ability, clarity and relevance of the problem, practicality of the proposed solution, and potential for real-world deployment. Preference is given to teams that can build, not just pitch.
What defines a "top team"?
Top teams deliver a working prototype, demonstrate clear real-world application, show potential for continued development beyond the buildathon, and communicate the opportunity clearly to partners and stakeholders. This is execution-driven, not presentation-driven.
Do teams keep their IP?
Yes. Teams retain full ownership of what they build, unless they independently enter into agreements with partners or stakeholders during or after the buildathon. Future Caribbean takes no equity or licensing rights as a condition of participation.
Is funding guaranteed?
No. There is no guaranteed funding. However, high-potential teams may receive introductions to investors, partners, and platforms aligned with their solution.
Are pilots or problem owners guaranteed?
No. Teams may choose to work on defined themes or pursue self-directed problems. Some teams may independently secure partnerships or pilot opportunities, but this is not guaranteed.
What happens after the buildathon?
There is no forced structure. Teams that demonstrate strong potential may continue building with support from advisors, partners, and ecosystem connections. Engagement is selective and based on momentum and execution.
Who should apply?
Engineers, founders, and technical teams who can ship quickly and are interested in real-world deployment — not just prototypes. If you are looking for a traditional hackathon or guaranteed outcomes, this is likely not a fit.
Can international teams apply?
Yes. The buildathon is open to global teams, with a focus on solutions relevant to the Caribbean.
What does a strong submission look like?
A strong submission shows a clear, specific problem; a realistic approach to solving it; evidence the team can execute; and a path to real-world use — not just a concept.
What are the key dates?
Registration closes April 25. Top 40 teams announced May 1 — compute provided same day. Build phase May 1–15, entirely virtual. Winners announced May 19. Demo Day in Bridgetown, Barbados: May 26–28.
Confirmed Partners & Sponsors
