PROTOFABTT is a Trinidad and Tobago agritech company that has developed SolarPoniX, a solar-powered vertical farming platform for schools, communities, households, hospitality properties, commercial sites and public food-security programmes. The platform is designed for settings with limited land, water, reliable energy or agricultural infrastructure, offering a compact approach to food production while supporting agricultural education and climate-resilience initiatives.

SolarPoniX is available in 48-, 80- and 96-plant configurations within a footprint of less than one square metre. Each system combines solar power, battery backup, climate-responsive automated irrigation, water recirculation, low-voltage operation, modular components and onboard data logging with USB transfer. The portable design does not require permanent plumbing or electrical modifications and can be relocated ahead of extreme weather. An integrated Giant African Snail deterrent is intended to reduce reliance on chemical molluscicides. Planned digital tools include curriculum-aligned e-workbooks, teacher dashboards and aggregated impact reporting. PROTOFABTT reports that it holds the SolarPoniX trademark and has received WIPO recognition relating to its design and pest-deterrence innovation.

The project is beyond proof of concept, with more than 200 systems manufactured and deployed, including installations across approximately 60 schools in Trinidad and Tobago that have reached more than 10,000 young people. The company also reports early exports to Barbados, regional orders and distributor interest. It identifies an immediate domestic institutional market of more than 430 primary and 150 secondary schools. Target customers include ministries, schools, corporate social responsibility sponsors, hotels, communities and urban growers. PROTOFABTT intends to expand across CARIFORUM markets, including Barbados, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Suriname and the OECS.

PROTOFABTT is seeking USD 3.5 million to expand manufacturing capacity and inventory, support product certification, establish demonstration hubs, strengthen regional distribution and after-sales capacity, and develop its planned digital education and reporting tools. The investment would also support workforce training, product development and wider commercial deployment through regional assembly and service partnerships.

At scale, SolarPoniX aims to contribute to Caribbean food security, renewable-energy use, water-efficient cultivation and climate adaptation. Its school-based applications also provide hands-on exposure to agriculture and STEM learning, while the proposed regional manufacturing and service model could support technical training, entrepreneurship and employment.