GIST Tech-I Competition for Entrepreneurs from Emerging Economies 2019 (Expenses paid trip to Bahrain)

Application Deadline: November 23rd 2018

The U.S. Department of State is excited to announce the launch of the 2019 Global Innovation through Science and Technology, Technology Idea (GIST Tech-I) competition
GIST Tech-I is a global pitching competition which seeks to identify and select, train, and encourage innovations by young scientists and great minds all over the world. As part of the GIST initiative, Tech-I works to empower young innovators to build businesses that address economic and development challenges.

Requirements:
This year citizens from 132 countries and emerging economies spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America are eligible to apply with an innovative science and technology idea or startup in any sector.

Applicants are required to explain the science and technology driving their project and describe their business strategy in an online application. They must also provide a 90-second pitch video to showcase their innovation and excite viewers about their project’s potential.

Selection Criteria:
Up to 100 applicants will be selected as semi-finalists who will then have their pitch videos featured online and voted on by the public.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicant
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 to be for Ideas or Startups

that meet ALL of the following requirements:
1. The application must be the original work of the Idea or Startup applicant.
2. The Idea or Startup must be developing an innovative science or technology solution with
market potential in a GIST-eligible economy.
3. The Idea or Startup must be for-profit. Applications from non-profit ventures or NGOs are not eligible and will not be reviewed.
4. The Startup must be less than three years old.
5. The Idea or Startup must be, at least in part, based in a GIST-eligible economy.

6. 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.
7. The Idea or Startup must not submit more than one application per GIST Tech-I competition year.

Benefits:

• These votes will help to select 24 finalists who will receive an all-expense paid trip to Bahrain to pitch their ventures to a global audience at the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC).
• During the GEC, these amazing up-and-coming innovators will receive intensive skills training, mentorship, and networking access to global leaders in their fields. Winners of GIST Tech-I will receive seed capital prizes.
• The total prize pot will be $36,000 USD; the individual breakdown of prize funds will be announced closer to the Tech-I finals. All finalists will receive up to three months of mentoring following the finals.

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