Jamaican Innovator Crystal Evans Launches Caribbean's First Solar-Powered AI Marketplace

Kingston, Jamaica – May 2025 — Crystal Evans, an award-winning Jamaican author turned tech innovator, is making history as the first Jamaican founder to lead an application to Y Combinator with an AI startup born out of the Caribbean. Her venture, Fthen, is a pioneering initiative that combines sustainability, automation, and economic empowerment through a solar-powered digital labor marketplace.

Caribbean Tech Innovation Meets Global Potential

Fthen, launched under Atlantic Corporate Solutions alongside co-founders Joshua Habellard and Zygmunt Williams, enables small businesses to hire AI-powered "digital twins" of real professionals. These AI agents operate 24/7 and are fully powered by renewable energy, making Fthen the first of its kind in the region and possibly the world.

"People don’t want AI to replace their creativity — they want it to handle the busywork," Evans shares. "Fthen gives people their time back — to create, to perform, to innovate."

Fthen’s recent application to Y Combinator, one of the most influential startup accelerators globally, marks a major milestone. It’s the first known pitch from a Jamaican-led AI venture, presenting a scalable solution for businesses seeking ethical, cost-effective, and sustainable automation.

What Is Fthen?

At its core, Fthen is an AI-powered, solar-backed workforce platform built to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Key features include:

• AI Agent Marketplace: Hire pre-trained digital versions of professionals for tutoring, support, and sales.
• 24/7 Availability: AI agents are always active, enhancing business continuity.
• Green-Powered Infrastructure: All activity is supported by 100% renewable energy, verified via Telkes Blockchain for transparency.
• IoT + Business Automation: Tools for automating inventory, task tracking, and workflows.
• Human-Centered Upskilling: Programs to prepare workers to collaborate with AI agents.

A Mission-Driven Ecosystem

Fthen is designed with regional and social impact in mind, addressing challenges faced by Caribbean entrepreneurs in accessing global work opportunities. Evans’ earlier ventures, Adesh Jamaica and Carreau Professional Services, helped hundreds of Caribbean workers upskill and connect to remote jobs. Now, Fthen integrates AI as a force multiplier.

"Tech can feel distant or extractive to small communities," says co-founder Zygmunt Williams. "But Fthen is about ownership, sustainability, and designing AI that works for the people who need it most."

A Glimpse Into the Future

Fthen is already live in demo form via Telkes.online, showcasing its green-powered mission. Its beta rollout will begin with early adopters in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Evans credits Y Combinator’s Startup School with helping shape Fthen’s foundation. With a focus on clean energy, inclusive tech, and automation that supports human potential, Evans and her team are building the digital backbone of the Caribbean’s future workforce.