Deadline: January 12, 2018
Applications for GIST Tech-I Competition 2018 are now being accepted. The competition seeks, identifies and showcases some of the brightest science and technology entrepreneurs around the world. Are you one of them?
The GIST Tech-I Competition is an annual competition for science and technology entrepreneurs from emerging economies worldwide. Aspiring innovators submit their ideas and startups online which are then reviewed by experts and voted on by the global voting public in order to determine the finalists. New this year, U.S. Department of State is inviting all former GIST Tech-I finalists to participate in the program to recruit and mentor the next generation of science and tech entrepreneurs.
Since 2011, innovators from around the globe have showcased their science and technology ventures to the world through GIST Tech-I Competitions. Thousands of expert reviews have taken place and the online voting public has cast over 1 million votes in support of these talented young innovators. The GIST initiative is led by the U.S. Department of State, and the Tech-I competition is implemented by AAAS.
Aspiring innovators pitch their Ideas or startups online finalists receive an all-expense paid trip to GIST Tech-I Finals to showcase their ventures and receive intensive training. GIST Tech-I winners can win capital seed prizes.
Benefits
The top 10 semi-finalists with the most public votes, along with their Alumni Mentors will advance to the Tech-I finals during the 2018 Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Istanbul, Turkey. At the finals, competing entrepreneurs will receive in-person training and mentorship, network with entrepreneurs and investors, and pitch their Idea or Startup for the chance to bring home seed capital prizes.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements:
- The applicant must be 18-40 years old on the application deadline, December 28, 2017.
- The applicant must be a citizen of at least one of the 136 GIST-eligible emerging economies.
- The applicant must not hold dual-citizenship or permanent resident status in a non-GIST economy.
- The applicant must not submit more than one application per GIST Tech-I competition year.
- The applicant must not be a previous GIST Tech-I finalist who traveled to and competed in the GIST Tech-I Finals at GES.
In addition to meeting the applicant requirements above, applications must to be for Ideas or Startups that met ALL of the following requirements:
- The application must be the original work of the Idea or Startup applicant.
- The Idea or Startup must be developing an innovative science or technology solution with market potential in a GIST-eligible economy.
- The Idea or Startup must be for-profit. Applications from non-profit ventures or NGOs are not eligible and will not be reviewed.
- The Startup must be less than three years old.
- The Idea or Startup must be, at least in part based, in a GIST-eligible economy.
- The Idea or Startup must be developing or selling products and services that use its own innovations in science and technology. Applications from organizations that buy and resell technologies will not be reviewed.
- The Idea or Startup must not submit more than one application per GIST Tech-I competition year.
Judging Criteria
- Significance
- Innovation
- Technical Approach
- Business Strategy
- Team
Do you still have questions about eligibility? Check out the FAQ or contact [email protected].
Application
For more information, visit GIST Tech-I Competition.
