Deadline: 7-Jun-23
In celebration of the APEC 2023 U.S. host year, top women climate innovators will receive expert pitch and business training, with the opportunity to present their solutions on a global stage for the chance to win generous prizes. Applications to participate are open now!
What is GIST Catalyst?
- Catalyst has given more than 80 entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their innovation to high-impact investors, policy makers, and leaders in the U.S. private sector, while competing for generous startup resources.
- This year’s competition promises to continue in the footsteps of past events, offering valuable learning and networking opportunities to the participants and showcasing solutions that the world needs now.
Benefits of Participation
- Intensive training in startup methodology & acceleration support.
- Access to business mentors.
- Opportunity to win startup resources.
- Networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, government representatives, and other entrepreneurship ecosystem members.
Eligibility Criteria
- This program is perfect for women startup founders with technology solutions that are climate-related with priority given to those applicants working in infrastructure, water, health, food security, and displacement and migration. Innovators should be looking to take their innovations to the next level by getting mentoring, U.S. market expertise, and valuable business model training–while also honing their pitch and getting a chance to win valuable startup resources. Startups led by women, and startups that directly advance the interests of women in the countries where they operate, are particularly encouraged to apply. All science and technology startup founders 18 – 40 years of age and from the following Asia-Pacific economies are eligible to apply:
- Australia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canada
- Chile
- People’s Republic of China
- Hong Kong, China
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- The Philippines
- Russia
- Singapore
- Chinese Taipei
- Thailand
- The United States
- Viet Nam
- Be the founder of a science / technology startup with operations in that same country.
- Have not previously participated in in-person GIST activities such as Catalyst pitch competitions, Business Incubation, Tech-I, or Startup Trainings.
- Submit a complete application
- Startups led by women, and startups that directly advance the interests of women in the countries where they operate are particularly encouraged to apply.
Important Dates
- Up to 29 Quarterfinalist innovators will be accepted for in-person training as part of this program. From that group, 12 Semifinalists will be selected. 6 Finalists will be selected to participate in the Finals event. They encourage innovators to apply as early as possible.
- Phase 1: Submission
- Phase 2: Expert Panel Review & Quarterfinalist selection June 12 – 16
- Phase 3: Quarterfinals Virtual Pitching – June 26 – 30
- Phase 4: In-Person Trainings and Semifinals, Seattle, USA – August 1 – 5
- Phase 5: In-Person Finals, Seattle, USA – August 6
For more information, visit GIST.