Business Incubation Breaks New Ground

Business Incubation Breaks New Ground

The U.S Business Incubation Program Is Supporting a Global Network of Innovators, from Ukraine to Bhutan

August 2, 2022

 

The GIST Business Incubation program is creating extraordinary opportunities for innovators from all over the world. While applications are open now for Ukrainian innovators, a cohort of founders from Bhutan is soon beginning their entrepreneurial journey in the United States, building experience and gaining insights that will take their ventures to the next level. 

The GIST Business Incubation program brings together the best international S&T innovators and American businesses to increase cross-market access, open doors for joint ventures, and gain investor exposure. While in residence in business incubators in the U.S, global entrepreneurs will have opportunities to make connections to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and build business relationships. American businesses will gain awareness of foreign-generated innovation and markets. This program continuously connects American startup ecosystems and the investment community with the best global innovators to spur economic growth and job creation, fostering dialogue and communication and building a stronger, more collaborative, and connected global startup ecosystem. 

For the 2022 Bhutan Business Incubation cohort, extraordinary experiences await at industry-leading incubators in the dynamic ecosystems of Atlanta and Washington D.C. Atlanta has become a significant hub for large corporations who have moved their headquarters to the city, as well as innovative young startups/ The city's growth and innovative identity in recent years have made it one of the country's best places to start a new business. While there, Bhutanese innovators will visit and learn from Atlanta’s best incubators, meet and learn firsthand from some of Atlanta’s most active innovators, and explore and learn from Atlanta’s unique startup culture. Some of these incredible opportunities are from world-leading universities, like Georgia Tech and Georgia State, as well as dynamic ecosystem builders like the Accenture Atlanta Innovation Hub, Atlanta Tech Village, The Russell Center for Innovation, and The Farm Atlanta

These amazing opportunities continue in Washington D.C, where innovators will have the opportunity to meet and interface with the Department of State, as well as get to participate in some of the unique innovation opportunities this vibrant startup culture has to offer. Innovators will be able to engage with some of the nation's top incubators at Halcyon and Seed Spot, and deepen connections with the Bhutan Foundation.

The 2022 cohort represents a continuation of the GIST Initiative’s work in this exciting region, and part of our larger goal of fostering connection and working to help develop the future of Bhutanese innovation, whether through business incubation in the United States or through on-the-ground ecosystem building through our Bhutanese I-Hub. We could not be more excited to support this cohort and look forward to seeing all that they accomplish on their entrepreneurial journey.

The 2022 Bhutan Business Incubation cohort includes:

Pema Chozom
Founder, Chechay Sanitary Pads 
Chechay Sanitary Pads creates menstrual pads with local, rather than imported, materials, affording women easier access to these essential products. They distribute  their product to youth groups and organizations free of charge to make a social impact.
 

Yangchen Wangmo
Founder, Norwang Chips 
Norwang Chips produces high-quality potato chips. They aim to establish a robust distribution network across Bhutan.
 

Tshering Lhamo
Founder, Gross International Nature 
Gross International Nature (GIN) is an environmental conservation organization established by youth from across the globe. They aim to implement transboundary environmental solutions and empower local communities.

Jigme Thinley Yoezer Rinzin
Founder, DrukRide
DrukRide allows travelers in Bhutan to book a bus ticket online at their convenience. They have revolutionized the online bus ticket booking industry by bringing together bus operators covering twenty district routes across the country.

 

We believe in the future of Bhutanese innovation, and can’t wait to see what these incredible innovators accomplish in their time in the United States and after.

As program manager Khandle Hedrick describes,

“Bhutan is an exciting region, and we are excited to work with founders as they navigate the entrepreneurship journey, building connections between our countries and fostering the next wave of innovation. This is a great opportunity for our early-stage GIST participants to learn first hand from the entrepreneurial ecosystems in Atlanta and DC, and this program will set them up to acquire new skills and make the connections needed to grow their startups in Bhutan and beyond.” 


Bhutan Business Innovation will kick off September 4; stay tuned for more updates on this cohort, and the larger Business Incubation Program, by following our newsletter and following GIST on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Read More.