Cultural Entrepreneurship and the Future of Calypso: Leveraging Cooperative Business Models and Emerging Technologies in Trinidad & Tobago

This article examines the mostly untapped economic potential of Trinidad and Tobago’s vibrant cultural heritage, particularly focusing on calypso—a cornerstone of Trinbagonian identity. It highlights the decline of traditional calypso tents due to evolving challenges such as rising crime, shifting audience preferences, and financial instability while proposing a pathway for revitalization. By integrating cultural entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and cooperative business models, the article offers a strategic vision to transform the cultural economy. The article explores how the fusion of technological innovation, such as metaverse platforms and augmented reality, with the cooperative ethos can elevate calypso from a local tradition to a global phenomenon. Anchored in cultural economy theory and drawing inspiration from successful global examples, this article emphasizes the role of collective action, institutional support, and strategic investment in creating a sustainable and inclusive cultural economy for Trinidad and Tobago.