The GIST Technology Idea (Tech-I) Competition is an annual competition for science and technology
(S&T) entrepreneurs from 132 emerging economies around the world. The
competition is part of the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative, led by the
U.S. Department of State. The GIST Tech-I Competition is implemented by the American Association for
the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
To participate in the competition, aspiring science and technology entrepreneurs with either an idea or
startup can apply online to by going to GISTNetwork.org during the application period. Once the
application deadline has passed, expert panels will review applications and select up to the top 100
applications to be semifinalists. The semifinalists will proceed to the online public voting phase
determining the 24 Finalists who will participate in the finals in Bahrain to pitch their idea or startup
during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) for capital seed and other prizes.
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements:
- The applicant must be 18-40 years old on the application deadline, November 23, 2018.
- The applicant must be a citizen of at least one of the 132 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.
In addition to meeting the applicant requirements above, applications must be for Ideas or Startups
that meet 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.Benefits:
- For the 2019 competition, up to twenty-four finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Bahrain to showcase their venture and to receive intensive training.
- GIST Tech-I winners, selected by experts at GEC, win prizes, and receive one-on-one mentorship and training.
How to Apply:
- Once you are logged into your GIST Network account, proceed to the 2019 GIST Tech-I application by clicking on the “APPLY” button below.
- Please fill out every section of the form before saving your application. This application will take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. All required questions must have a response in order to save the application. You can edit these responses after you have saved your application.
- If you choose to make changes to your application, you can access it from the dashboard on your GIST Network profile. You are allowed to make changes to your submission until the application deadline.
- Documents Required: In addition to responding to biographical questions, you will need to provide responses to several business and technical questions about your startup and provide a 90-second pitch video. Click here to view the business and technical questions in advance.
- If you are creating your GIST Network account through this application, you will need to click on a confirmation link that will be emailed to you. If you do not, your application will not be submitted on the application deadline.
Click here to get started.
Application Dealine:
All applications must be submitted by 11:59 A.M. EST on Friday, November 23, 2018
