At the 2015 GES, GIST brought together 30 finalists from around the world to compete in the final round of the sixth annual GIST Tech-I competition. Finalists received two days of training with mentors on entrepreneurial topics such as networking and funding before preparing for their last pitch.

Getting to this stage was no easy task. First, a record 792 applicants from 74 countries applied. After an expert review of the proposals, the list was narrowed down to 76 semi-finalists. Finally, the global public weighed in, casting an unprecedented over 407,000 votes to bring the competition down to 30 finalists. The passion and dedication of these 30 entrepreneurs came through clearly as they offered solutions to solve local and global problems through innovative startups.

On July 25-26, 2015, these entrepreneurs gave their final pitches to determine who would be chosen as a Tech-I winner.

We are excited to announce that we now have our 2015 Tech-I Competition winners. Congratulations to everyone!

2015 Winners

START UP FIRST PLACE- $25,000

Carlos Francisco Bernal – Mexico

Company – Eido Innova with GlucosAlarm

GlucosAlarm is a diabetic urine glucose sensor that is placed inside the toilet bowl and sends information to the patients smart phone, physician, or insurance company

START UP SECOND PLACE- $15,000

Taita Ngetich – Kenya

Company – Illumininum Greenhouse

Illuminium Greenshouses seek to create a limitless integrated modern greenhouse with sensors the monitor temperature, humidity, soil moisture and most importantly the water supply.

START UP THIRD PLACE- $8,500

Blessing Mene – Nigeria

Company – UNFIRE

UNFIRE tackles the high cost of poultry/livestock feeds by producing novel, culturally acceptable feeds that are highly nutritious and low cost.

HONORABLE MENTION START UP- $2,500

Gabriel Gurovich – Chile

Company – Snapp

Snapp is the first of its kind solution to build apps and websites from a smartphone.

IDEA FIRST PLACE- $25,000

Rudi Cooke – South Africa

Company – Water Bros

Water Bros seeks to remodel water distribution by putting high-tech water purification within reach of the local community using reverse osmosis technology.

IDEA SECOND PLACE- $15,000

Mojisola Ojebode – Nigeria

Company – Bioresources

Bioresources develop crop protection agents for the bio-protection of cowpea seeds against weevils.

IDEA THIRD PLACE- $8,500

Charles Batte – Uganda

Company – Tree Adoption Uganda with Tree Capital

Tree Capital program will enable Ugandan youth with agri-business ideas in rural communities to access start up capital and provide training.

HONORABLE MENTION IDEA - $2,500

Sabira Mehrin Saba – Bangladesh

Company – Bhitti

Bhitti is a startup which utilizes innovative technology to use sugarcane bagasse to manufacture green construction materials.

BEST IN HEALTH - $5,000

Iffat Zafar Aga – Pakistan

Company – DoctHers

doctHers is a novel healthcare marketplace that connects female doctors to millions of underserved patients in real-time.

BEST IN ICT- $5,000

Ibrahim Bernado - Philippines

Company – Sari Software Solutions

Sari is a micro-enterprise empowerment project meant to empower sari-sari store operators through greater financial knowledge

BEST IN ENERGY - $5,000

Rudi Cooke –South Africa

Company – Water Bros

Water Bros seeks to remodel water distribution by putting high-tech water purification within reach of the local community using reverse osmosis technology.

BEST IN AGRICULTURE – MasterCard Award - $5,000

Mojisola Ojebode – Nigeria

Company – Bioresources

Bioresources develop crop protection agents for the bio-protection of cowpea seeds against weevils.

BEST FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR- $5,000

Mojisola Ojebode – Nigeria

Company – Bioresources

Bioresources develop crop protection agents for the bio-protection of cowpea seeds against weevils.

SPIRIT OF TECH-I- $2,500

Samson Fiado - Malawi

Company - EasyBooks Accounting Package

EasyBooks Accounting is an Accounting Software developed to manage business data for any small & Medium Enterprise seeking to establish a user friendly Accounting System for their business accounts.

S&T EXCELLENCE- $3,500

Patricio Avila - Chile

Company – Platech

Platech proposes to replace animal serum with a more cost effective and stable method using platelets developed outside of animal bodies.

POTENTIAL FOR SOCIETAL IMPACT - $5,000

Tendekayi Katsiga - Botswana

Company – Deaftronics

Deaftronics is an organization that manufactures high quality affordable solar powered hearing aids.