GIST Programs

The U.S. Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative empowers young innovators through networking, skills building, mentoring and access to financing to develop startup solutions that address economic and development challenges.

Since 2011, GIST has engaged with science and technology innovators and entrepreneurs in 122 emerging economies around the world, providing training and resources to help them build successful startups. This is done through competitions, startup boot camps, and interactive online programs, implemented by UT Austin’s IC2 Institute and AAAS.

GIST programs are: 

• GIST Tech-I Competition: An annual competition that attracts the most promising entrepreneurs from emerging economies. Online public voting and entrepreneurship experts decide who competes in the Tech-I finals, a highly anticipated event at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.       

• GIST TechConnects: Live webcasts on entrepreneurship topics that enable global youths to ask inspiring experts for advice.

• GIST Startup Boot Camp: On-the-ground training and mentorship to promote in-country entrepreneurship networks, develop local role models, and strengthen innovation ecosystems.