The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the U.S. Department of State are pleased to announce the launch of the 2015 Technology Idea (Tech-I) Competition. Tech-I is part of the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative and is an annual entrepreneurship competition which seeks to identify exciting young scientists, inventors, and great minds from around the world. This year citizens from 86 countries are eligible to apply in the four sectors of agriculture, energy, health, and information and communications technology (ICT). The complete list of eligible countries spanning Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America is available online.
In order to apply, applicants are required to submit a 750 word executive summary describing their science and technology product, research, service, or concept, in addition to a 90 second promotional video. The application deadline date is March 20, 2015.
All applications will be reviewed by expert panels comprised of technical and regional experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists from around the world prior to public voting, which will begin on May 11, 2015. Public voting will determine the top thirty finalists who will attend the Tech-I finals at the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in sub-Saharan Africa (exact location to be confirmed). During this internationally prestigious event, these amazing up-and-coming scientists and entrepreneurs will receive intensive skills training, mentorship, and networking access to global leaders in their fields. All finalists will receive up to 3 months mentoring following the finals. In addition, finalists will also compete for funding totaling $70,000. Further information on can be found at www.gistnetwork.org/tech-i.
About the GIST Initiative:
The GIST Initiative empowers young innovators through networking, skills building, mentoring, and access to financing to develop startup solutions that address economic and development challenges. GIST programs, in addition to Tech-I, include:
- Interactive webcasts called TechConnects
- On the ground boot camps with training and mentorship
- GIST Network, an online social network for entrepreneurs and mentors.