bmobile joined the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) in celebrating the next generation of innovators at the grand finale of Innovation Nation 2025: PowerUp Competition, hosted recently at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business, YARA Auditorium, Mt. Hope.

This national showcase brought to life the creativity and ingenuity of ten (10) young minds from secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago, culminating in a first-place victory for 16-year-old Kylon Thomas of Malick Secondary School. His award-winning project, Steelpan Life, is a digital steelpan app that blends tradition and technology into one interactive platform.

The PowerUp Competition was the climax of CARIRI’s Innovation Nation Training Camp, developed in collaboration with longstanding partners, bmobile and other corporate and development stakeholders. The multi-week programme, held between July and August, engaged over 3,000 students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), entrepreneurship, coding, and climate action.

Participants were then challenged to develop real-world solutions to local and global issues. The top ten participants selected had the opportunity to present their projects in front of a live audience and a distinguished panel of judges from the tech and innovation sectors.

bmobile, an anchor supporter of the programme since 2018, reaffirmed its commitment to youth development, digital inclusion, and national innovation. Anjanie Ramesar-Soom, Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility Specialist, TSTT who served as a judge noted that, “These students didn’t just generate ideas. They took the initiative to build real solutions. That shift from imagination to implementation is exactly what we strive to nurture through initiatives like Innovation Nation. It’s a powerful early sign of entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills that are essential in today’s innovative-driven economy. At bmobile, we’re proud to help create platforms that equip our youth with confidence and tools to shape the future.”

Thomas wowed both the judges and attendees with a confident, live steelpan performance before demonstrating Steelpan Life. His mobile app allows users to play authentic steelpan notes from their devices, effectively digitizing Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument for a wider audience. The app’s samples were recorded and fine-tuned over the course of a year to preserve tonal accuracy and cultural authenticity. “I play the pan, so I understand how challenging it can be for a young person to get hold of a well-tuned instrument,” said Thomas. “I wanted to make our national instrument accessible to anyone. “He described the win as a humbling and proud moment for both him and his family. The competition also recognized Hillview College’s Adam Ali, who placed second with his project Pollinator 868, and Trinity College East’s Josiah Murray, who placed third with TriniFusion-Virtual.

All finalists also participated in a specialized mentorship and presentation bootcamp hosted the week before the grand finale. Facilitated by CARIRI’s ICT team with support from bmobile, YBTT, and other partners, the sessions went beyond competition prep, equipping participants with real-world skills to confidently pitch ideas, design impactful presentations, and structure compelling stories. The goal was not just to prepare them for this event, but to develop foundational skills they can carry forward as future entrepreneurs, innovators, and problem- solvers pitching to investors, partners, or even national audiences. Delivering remarks to the finalists and their families, CARIRI CEO Hans-Erich Schulz described Innovation Nation not just as a competition, but a “celebration of possibility.”

“Each of you represents the heartbeat of a generation that refuses to accept things as they are,” Schulz said. “Innovation is happening right here, in our schools, in our communities, and within every one of you who dares to think differently.” Schulz noted that since its launch in 2018, Innovation Nation has impacted over 14,000 students across Trinidad and Tobago, encouraging problem-solving, creativity, and a mindset of impact. “The world doesn’t just need more engineers or coders,” he added. “It needs people who innovate for impact, to uplift others, protect our planet, and inspire hope”.

2025 Innovation Nation PowerUp Competition Winners
1st Place: Kylon Thomas, Malick Secondary — Project Name: SteelpanLife
2nd Place: Adam Ali, Hillview College — Project Name: Pollinator 868
3rd Place: Josiah Murray, Trinity College East — Project Name: TriniFusion-Virtual
4th Place: Keyondre Oliver, Trinity College East — Project Name: IoT Caregiver Kit
5th Place: Jewell James, Bishops Anstey High School East — Project Name: Smart Bins &
Energy from Waste
6th Place: Jayvaughn Bigford, Waterloo Secondary — Project Name: Waste Material and
Impact on Environment and Society
7th Place: Jessica Balroop, Rio Claro West Secondary — Project Name: Ecosphere System
8th Place: Micah Manswell, Trinity College East — Project Name: Smart Air Monitor
9th Place: Jonathon Lewis, Tunapuna Secondary — Project Name: Planet Heroes
10th Place: Kyron Solomon, Trinity College East — Project Name: SafeZone