GIST Tech-I Competition seeking top innovators as deadline approaches

The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNSP) is encouraging tech and science entrepreneurs to apply for the annual international GIST Tech-I Competition.

The US Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Competition is looking for applicants from 86 countries around the globe, with the aim of helping entrepreneurs with training and mentorship, networking opportunities and access to capital.

Last year, David Gluckman from Lumkani — South Africa’s innovative fire-detection startup — won the overall competition. Mixon Faluweki from Kenya walked away with the award for his idea of charging your mobile phone using a bicycle.

Read more: Lumkani is going to Silicon Valley, wins $50k social entrepreneurship prize

All finalists — who will be selected via a public voting process — will receive up to three months mentoring following the finals. In addition, they’ll also compete for funding of up to US$15 000.

Moreover, the finalists will also stand a chance to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, where they’ll be given the chance to gain international exposure and compete for a further US$70 000 in awards.

GIST has apparently connected over 2.8-million youth with entrepreneurship resources through social media platforms, has trained over 4 500 startups, and has created a network of over 243 000 young motivated entrepreneurs. Last year, the competition received over a million public votes.

To apply, applicants should submit an executive summary of their innovation along with a 90-second video explaining their idea or product here.

Application period closes 20 March 2015.