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Events

Launch of 2nd Global Innovation through Science and Technology Competition

August 27, 2012
2nd Global Innovation through Science and Technology Competition

2nd Global Innovation through Science and Technology Competition

The U.S. Department of State and CRDF Global are pleased to announce the launch of the 2nd annual Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Tech-I competition.  The GIST initiative identifies and supports high-potential technology startups across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.  Using its online community and network of country and regional partnerships, GIST entrepreneurs can develop business skills, network, and win cash prizes.  Through incentive-based competitions and startup boot camps, GIST has celebrated, provided role models for, and mentored over 500 startups.  Last December, the GIST Tech-I Finalist competition was held in Istanbul, and in March 2012 GIST conducted a boot camp for Turkish entrepreneurs in Istanbul.  Watch highlights from the boot camp here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL792CD842B989CFA1&feature=plpp 

The application deadline is September 24, 2012, 5:00PM Eastern Daylight Time.  Check back by October 31st to vote for top entries.  Details of the 2012 Tech-I competition, including rules and deadlines, are at http://gist.crdfglobal.org/about-gist/events/2012/07/24/gist-tech-i-competition

Thirty (30) GIST semi-finalists will earn an all-expense-paid weekend of entrepreneurship training in Dubai this coming December and receive three months of mentorship from U.S.-based mentors.  Top winners in Dubai will receive cash prizes totaling $70,000 and win trips to Silicon Valley in summer 2013 for a 6-week GIST Accelerator Program, upon completion of which they will have the chance to receive seed funding. 

For the 2012 competition, GIST will host two online webinars to help entrepreneurs fill out application forms.