Caribbean Industrial Research Institute

What Caribbean Industrial Research Institute does

The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), founded in 1970 in partnership with the United Nations and wholly owned by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is a state-owned applied research institute operating across three Trinidad locations (UWI St Augustine headquarters, Macoya, and Freeport). It functions as the primary technology and innovation focal point for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean, delivering accredited laboratory testing in analytical chemistry, environmental and food microbiology, petroleum, metallurgy, civil materials, air quality, occupational hygiene, sustainable energy, and calibration; applied R&D including a rubber crumb pilot plant and a 3D printing lab; and innovation and entrepreneurship services such as the Idea Advisory Service, Business Hatchery, Innovation Incubator, Intellectual Property Clinic, Innovation Gap Analysis (iGap), and ICT services (TekDev, TekConnect, TekFit, TekProtect).

CARIRI's business model is hybrid and mission-driven. Commercial revenue is generated through fee-for-service laboratory testing and calibration (per-test pricing, pay-as-you-go), while most entrepreneurship, youth, and SME programmes are free or heavily subsidized by government and donor funding from the European Union, IDB Lab, Republic Bank, and other partners. The institute acts as a Technical Executing Agency for donor-funded programmes, earning professional-services fees through project management contracts such as the Shaping the Future of Innovation (STFOI) initiative, the Innovation Challenge Facility (7.5M USD grant pool), the Enterprise Framework for Creative MSMEs, and the Innovation Nation online learning platform.

It serves four primary customer segments: SMEs across food and beverage, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, health, and creative industries; entrepreneurs and innovators seeking commercialization support; government ministries and public-sector entities requiring technical execution, environmental monitoring, and standards verification; and youth and students through the Innovation Nation programme and DIA Youth Innovation Lab. Academic and research institutions such as UWI and UTT are secondary partners for co-located research and technology transfer. Major strategic partners include the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the EU, IDB Lab, Republic Bank, WAITRO, the OAS Trust for the Americas, the Danish Technological Institute, and CSIR South Africa.

Name

Caribbean Industrial Research Institute

Legal name

The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute

Website

https://cariri.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) is a government-owned applied research institute in Trinidad and Tobago delivering accredited laboratory testing, applied R&D, innovation advisory, and business incubation services to SMEs, entrepreneurs, government, and youth across the Caribbean.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Research & Testing Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulatory Consulting & Compliance Program Management (FDA/USDA/EFSA) (AFALADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) & ASTM Phase I ESA (EUAHAEAA), Training & Competency Programs (HACCP, PCQI, GMP) (AFALADAK), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Laboratory testing services
• Analytical chemistry testing
• Business incubation services
• Environmental microbiology testing
• Petroleum testing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Port-of-spain

HQ country

Trinidad & Tobago

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Testing and Analytical Services: Fee-for-service laboratory testing, calibration, and analytical chemistry services provided to businesses, government agencies, and individuals. Revenue is generated per test or per service engagement.
2. Project Management and Technical Execution: CARIRI serves as technical executing agency for donor-funded projects (EU, IDB, government ministries). Revenue comes from project management fees and technical service delivery contracts.
3. Training and Capacity Building Programs: Incubator programs, innovation training, and entrepreneurship development programs. Some programs are free to participants (sponsored), others may be fee-based.
4. Innovation Advisory Services: Idea Advisory Service providing screening, mentorship, and commercialization pathway guidance. Free initial screening, supported by project funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) is a state-owned research institute that provides accredited laboratory testing (analytical chemistry, microbiology, petroleum, metallurgy, materials, calibration), applied R&D, environmental and food safety analysis, technical consulting, and business incubation/innovation advisory services. It serves SMEs, government agencies, entrepreneurs, and youth across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean, operating as a Technical Executing Agency for EU, IDB, and government-funded projects.

Product overview

CARIRI operates as a multi-service research institute offering analytical testing, engineering services, and entrepreneurship development programmes. The portfolio is organized across three main divisions: Analytical (chemistry, microbiology, petroleum, sustainable energy testing), Engineering (air quality, calibrations, materials, metallurgy, occupational hygiene), and Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation (business incubation, 3D printing, ICT/Tekmania services, food technology, intellectual property support). Key branded initiatives include the Idea Advisory Service (commercialization pathways), Caribbean Food Safety Centre, and the Tekmania ICT sub-brand. Current major projects include the Rubber Crumb Project (waste tyre recycling pilot plant), Innovation Nation (coding education for students), DIA Youth Innovation Lab, and Shaping the Future of Innovation (grant programme). Legacy initiatives include the BOPP Project, Caribbean Climate Innovation Center, and the Microsoft Innovation Center Trinidad & Tobago.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Caribbean Food Safety Centre (CFSC): CARIRI's division focused on improving food safety practices in the Caribbean through training, assessments, and implementation support for food handlers and processors
• Centre for Enterprise Development
• Shaping the Future of Innovation (STFOI)
• Innovation Nation
• DIA Youth Innovation Lab Trinidad and Tobago

Products and services

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Microbiology
• Food and General Microbiology
• Petroleum Testing Services
• Sustainable Energy Services
• Air Quality Management Services
• Calibrations and Maintenance Services
• Effluent Management Solutions
• Industrial Materials – Civil
• Metallurgy
• Occupational Hygiene Services
• 3D Printing Lab
• Business Hatchery
• Business Incubator
• Innovation Incubator
• Food Technology
• ICT Services
• Innovation Gap Analysis Programme (iGap)
• Idea Advisory Service (IAS)
• Intellectual Property Clinic
• Caribbean Food Safety Centre (CFSC)
• Rubber Crumb Project
• Shaping the Future of Innovation (STFOI)
• DIA Youth Innovation Lab Trinidad and Tobago
• Enterprise Framework for Competitiveness, Resilience, and Sustainability for Creative MSMEs
• Innovation Nation

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ schools engaged in technology and innovation education
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Government of Trinidad and Tobago (Ministry of Planning and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Government of Trinidad and Tobago, through the Ministry of Planning and Development, is the primary government partner and owner of CARIRI. The Ministry co-funds and co-governs multiple projects including the Shaping the Future of Innovation project, the Rubber Crumb Project, and the BOPP Project.
• University of the West Indies (UWI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWI hosts CARIRI's headquarters on its St Augustine Campus and collaborates on research including the BOPP project (Faculty of Engineering asphalt mix designs) and Rubber Crumb Project.
• University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTT hosts the rubber crumb pilot plant at its San Fernando campus and collaborates on research and development activities.
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of South AfricamajorTechnology or IntegrationCARIRI renewed its MOU with CSIR through WAITRO membership. CSIR consultants conducted a pre-feasibility study for the rubber crumb and rubber asphalt manufacturing facilities.
• Basel Convention Regional Centre – Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCRC-Caribbean initiated discussions with CARIRI on comprehensive approaches to reusing and disposing of used rubber tyres in the Caribbean, leading to the conceptualization of the Rubber Crumb Project.
• Danish Technological InstitutemajorTechnology or IntegrationInspired the CARIRI Idea Advisory Service model. Trained the CARIRI team with varying backgrounds and capabilities to execute the IAS in Trinidad and Tobago, based on the Danish model which has been operational for over 43 years.
• World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARIRI holds membership in WAITRO, a global network of industrial and technological research organizations, facilitating international collaboration and technology transfer.
• Ministry of Education (Trinidad and Tobago)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Education granted approval for the Innovation Nation Training Programme, enabling CARIRI to deliver coding and technology courses to school students.
• Complete CaribbeanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting the Enterprise Framework for Competitiveness, Resilience, and Sustainability for Creative MSMEs program.
• Trust of the Americas (Organization of American States)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Trust of the Americas, a non-profit affiliated with the OAS, facilitates the DIA Youth Innovation Lab Trinidad and Tobago located at CARIRI's Freeport facility, supporting youth entrepreneurs aged 16-30.
• Beta Technology LimitedmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBeta Technology Limited leads the consortium with European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago to support the management and delivery of the Shaping the Future of Innovation project.
• European Business Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago (EUROCHAM TT)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the management consortium with Beta Technology Limited supporting STFOI project administration and delivery.
• I-NOVA GuadeloupeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARIRI and I-NOVA Guadeloupe signed an MOU for collaboration, expanding CARIRI's regional innovation network into the French Caribbean.
• Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development (Trinidad and Tobago)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped the 'Idea 2 Innovation' (i2i) programme and partnered with CARIRI as Technical Executing Agency. The Ministry's Council for Competitiveness and Innovation (CCI) provides funding for innovative projects.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: SGS is the world's leading testing, inspection, and certification company operating across multiple industries. CARIRI is regionally positioned in the same testing space SGS dominates globally, and both serve regulated industries with accredited laboratory services including chemistry, microbiology, and materials.
• Intertek: Intertek is a global Total Quality Assurance provider with industry-specific testing and certification services. CARIRI's petroleum testing, materials testing, and food safety services overlap with Intertek's industry-segmented offering.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global testing, inspection, and certification firm serving marine, oil & gas, construction, food, and consumer products. CARIRI competes in the same accreditation-driven testing categories, particularly for petroleum, food safety, and materials.
• TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD is a global testing, inspection, and certification firm with strong industrial and consumer product testing. CARIRI's industrial materials, metallurgy, and calibration services overlap with TÜV SÜD's industrial assurance portfolio.

Direct peers

• ALS Limited: ALS is a global testing services provider with strong environmental, food, and life sciences divisions. CARIRI's air quality management, environmental microbiology, and food testing services align closely with ALS's environmental and food testing segments.
• Eurofins Scientific: Eurofins is a global leader in food, environmental, pharmaceutical, and clinical laboratory testing services. CARIRI's environmental microbiology, food microbiology, and analytical chemistry services directly overlap with Eurofins' core testing portfolio.
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) South Africa: CSIR South Africa is a statutory body performing multi-disciplinary applied R&D across industrial, environmental, and health sectors. CARIRI's institutional model, government ownership, and mandate mirror CSIR's, and the two have an active MOU through WAITRO.
• Danish Technological Institute: DTI is a leading European applied research and technology institute that inspired CARIRI's Idea Advisory Service model and trained the CARIRI team. Both operate as applied research institutes serving SMEs with testing, innovation advisory, and incubation services.

Regional players

• Bureau of Standards Jamaica: BSJ is Jamaica's national standards body, providing testing, calibration, and metrology services. As a fellow Caribbean national standards-adjacent body, BSJ is a direct regional counterpart to CARIRI's testing and calibration functions.
• Guyana National Bureau of Standards: GNBS is Guyana's national standards body providing testing, calibration, and standards development services. As another Caribbean national standards body, GNBS is comparable to CARIRI in scope and mission, though operating at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cariri_tt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cariri_tt
• Facebookfacebook.com/caribbeanindustrialresearchinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caribbean-industrial-research-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/cariri_tt

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Caribbean Industrial Research Institute