International Entrepreneurship Opportunity for Your Citizens - AAAS/US Department of State

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) of the United States Department of State are pleased to announce the launch of the 2015 Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Technology-Idea (Tech-I) Competition. This is an amazing opportunity for the University of Cape Town and we look forward to building on the huge success of the 2014 Tech-I winner from the UCT, David Gluckman with the Lumkani technology!

The competition, Tech-I, is focused on young scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs, aged between 18-40 years old, who have either an idea or startup in the subject areas of agriculture, energy, health or information and communication technologies. 

 The competition launched on Tuesday February 17 and the application deadline is March 20, 2015. To apply the application is simple, requiring the submission of an executive summary of 750 words and a 90 second promotional video. This year 86 countries are eligible to apply and following an initial expert panel review applications then go to the public vote. Last year public voting received over 405,000 votes resulting in amazing publicity for all finalists.

 The top 30 finalists will then win an all-inclusive paid trip to sub-Saharan Africa in July to participate in the Finals at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. At the finals, applicants will have the opportunity to win up to $15,000 USD in individual funding, up to $70,000 USD in total prize money, a year membership to AAAS, and every finalist will also receive up to 3 months one-on-one mentorship with top experts in their field or subject of interest.

 This is an exceptionally exciting competition and here at AAAS we are extremely excited to ensure that all who are eligible to apply have the opportunity to do so. For more information regarding the competition, please feel free to visit www.gistnetwork.org/tech-i for  more information.