What is GIST Innovates The Balkans?

GIST Innovates The Balkans is a ten-week pre-accelerator training program modeled after the Lean Startup methodology. We will coach teams about how to apply the Lean Startup entrepreneurship methodology and how to do effective customer discovery for problem/solution fit of participants’ ideas. By the end of the program, teams will have completed at least 40 interviews with target customers, gaining valuable insight on how to shape their product for maximum impact. The program will provide innovators with the training, mentoring, and resources they need to build their entrepreneurial skills and bring their ideas to market. The program will provide opportunities for teams to connect with mentors in the US and provide opportunities to interact with U.S.-based investors and companies.


After the training, teams may have an opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors at the Venture Devils Demo Day and visit ASU.


Important Dates

This program accepted 12 teams (2 members per team). The program is open to all science and technology companies led by entrepreneurs and innovators from Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

  • Application window: 13 January 2025 - 28 March, 2025 
  • 10-week training program: The training will begin with an in-person workshop 2 - 5 June, 2025 in Tirana, Albania followed by 9 weeks of virtual learning.
  • December 2025 Venture Devils Demo Day at ASU in Greater Phoenix, AZ


Questions about this program? Email [email protected]
 

Apply now

 

2023 Cohort

2024 Balkans Cohort Group Picture

2024 Cohort

 

GIST Innovates The Balkans Partners

balkans partners

GIST Innovates The Balkans FAQs

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Q. How do I apply?

A. The application is available on this page from 13 January, 2025 - 28 March, 2025. Once it is available, click the APPLY NOW button, create an account on GISTNetwork.org, and complete the application. 

Q. Can I complete the application in a language other than English?

A. No. All application questions must be answered in English.

Q. Is knowledge of English required to participate?

A. All instructors will be native English speakers.  At least one member of your team must be proficient enough in English to participate in the one-on-one meetings with the instructors. 

Q. Which countries can participants be from?

A: The program is open to all science and technology companies led by entrepreneurs and innovators from Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Q. How much of the course is in-person versus virtual?

A. There will be 1 week in-person in Tiranë, Albania in addition to 9 weeks of virtual training.

Q. What is the average age of selected participants?

A: The age of the selected participants is usually between the ages of 18 and 40.

Q: How much of a time commitment (hrs/week) should be expected from selected participants during the entire program? 

A: You should expect to spend an average of 10-15 hours per week.

Q: Do I need a fully working prototype to apply or will a proof of concept (very rough prototype) suffice? 

A: A fully-working prototype is not required. A proof of concept will suffice. The purpose of this program is to talk to potential future customers to help shape the initial minimum viable product.

Q: Do I need Intellectual Property (IP) to participate?

A: No.  But if you do have IP we will not ask you about it during the program nor will we expect you to share that information. This program is not about your technology - it is about the process of exploring market potential and whether you are solving a need in the marketplace.

Q: What specific measures will help prevent IP theft? 

A: IP information will not be shared by anyone during this program.

Q: Can the same person apply with multiple teams?

A: We will only accept one application per applicant.

Q: Can the same team apply with multiple projects? 

A: Each team can only submit a single innovation.

Q: Are there any fees for participants in the program?

A: No. All fees are covered by the program.

Q: If I am selected to attend the ASU Venture Devils Demo Day in the U.S. will I need a visa?

A: Yes. The U.S. Department of State will provide you with an offer letter as proof of your acceptance into this program. We will also work with a J-1 visa issuer to attempt to facilitate your visa issuance. You must get a J-1 visa to participate in this program - no other type of US visa will be eligible. Please read and understand all the J-1 visa requirements at the State Department’s website before applying for this program.  t is the participants’ obligation to adhere to the requirements associated with a J1 visa. 

 

About the Implementer

GIST Innovates the Balkans is administered by Arizona State University (ASU). ASU is a public research university that is committed to access, excellence, and impact at scale. In 2022, for the eighth year in a row, ASU was named No. 1 among the nation's most innovative universities by U.S. News & World Report. ASU is one of the fastest-growing research enterprises in the U.S. and a national leader in bringing innovations to market. It is currently ranked #4 by the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) among universities for U.S. patents issued and ranked #4 for startups generated. ASU is the lead university of the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps Hub: Desert and Pacific Region building on its experience as an I-Corps Site since 2016.

One of the core tenets of ASU’s vision is the pivotal role universities can have to maximize the impact of use-inspired research through entrepreneurship. Over the last ten years, more than 180 startup companies based on ASU intellectual property (IP) have been created, which has generated over 1300 jobs and raised nearly $1B in funding.

Meet the Program Team


● Visar Berisha, Professor and Associate Dean
College of Health Solutions & Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU) Berisha has a history of STI entrepreneurship success, including co-founding a VC-funded ASU startup.

● Zachary Holman, Professor and Vice Dean
Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University Holman leads entrepreneurship training for the College of Engineering and has successfully co-founded several start-up companies.

● Denise McKenzie, Academic Associate | Lecturer
J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation, Arizona State University | Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California (USC) McKenzie provides instruction for the NSF I-Corps national program, works with founders and teaches the Lean Startup methodology at USC and ASU, and has 20 years of experience as an engineer and a patent litigator.

● Uranik Begu, Director Plug and Play Tech Center, Western Balkans
Begu has led implementation of externally-funded training programs in Kosovo and the Balkan region.

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