What is GIST Business Incubation?
As a U.S. Department of State initiative, GIST's Business Incubation Ukraine brings together the best science and technology innovators and American businesses to increase cross-market access and to create opportunities for collaboration. While in residence at an American incubator, entrepreneurs have opportunities to make connections with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and build business relationships for potential partners and investors. GIST Business Incubation also helps American businesses gain awareness of Ukrainian entrepreneurs, innovations and markets.
Washington, D.C.
The Washington, D.C. component of the program offered a one-of-a-kind experience for the innovators to gain access to valuable trainings to strengthen their presentation skills and business models. The week began with a deeply meaningful visit with the Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Later in the week innovators met with high-level U.S. Department of State officials which helped to reaffirm U.S. support as well as give the innovators the chance to provide their unique perspectives on what continuing support the Ukrainian startup ecosystem will need. The week culminated in a pitch day demo for Ukrainian and U.S. government and business representatives.
Monday March 6 Highlights
Ukraine House, Ukrainian Ambassador
Cooley LLP, Incorporating in the U.S. workshop
Tuesday March 7 Highlights
Halcyon House workshop
SEED SPOT mentoring, networking
Wednesday March 8 Highlights
U.S. Department of State
SEED SPOT mentoring
Thursday March 9 Highlights
D.C. Demo Day
The Kennedy Center tour
Ukrainian Startup Successes
Over GIST’s 12-year history, more than 200 Ukrainian entrepreneurs and supporters have completed GIST programs. Read more about a few of our Ukrainian entrepreneurs below.
Anastasiia Smyk | INPUT SOFT
INPUT SOFT is a web platform for companies in the aviation industry which helps optimize resources, reduce costs, and collect and analyze data from airport processes. INPUT SOFT is transforming legacy processes in the aviation industry into digital ones.
GIST Programs:
GIST Business Incubation Ukraine
Nataliya Limonova | GIOS
GIOS is designing an interactive platform for the delivery of remote and blended learning. In addition to keeping students engaged in the educational process, the platform aims to support teachers in organizing remote and hybrid teaching by providing them with a flexible course builder, interactive material library, assessment, and analytics.
GIST Programs:
GIST Innovates Ukraine 2021
GIST Catalyst Pitch Competition 2021
Lixbley
Lixbley is a software company that has designed the LixB Rideshare app, which facilitates ride sharing with the goal of reducing the number of cars on the roads.
GIST Programs:
GIST Innovates Ukraine 2021
Alyona Glushko | iCardy
iCardy is developing a product that detects hidden atrial fibrillation in real time without the internet—detecting AFib more quickly than other products, with an accuracy rate greater than 99%.
GIST Programs:
GIST Business Incubation 2019
GIST Catalyst Pitch Competition 2021
Pavlo Herman | WheelKeep
WheelKeep is a team of cyclists who aim to bring innovative smart bicycle accessories to market. Their first product is a bike tracking device to track stolen bicycles. They participated in the GIST Innovates Ukraine 2021 program.
GIST Business Incubation | Resources
U.S. and Ukraine Unite Around Innovation in D.C.
Out of the forge of inordinate challenges comes a new era of connection between the innovation ecosystems of Ukraine and the United States. The GIST Initiative and the U.S. Department of State are proud to be a part of building this deeper connection and are working to support Ukrainian innovation as it builds a new, ever brighter future.
Business Incubation Breaks New Ground
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.
Business Incubation Innovator Receives Highest Award
Business Incubation participant Alyona Glushko who spent three weeks at the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation in Phoenix, AZ, developed a novel innovation for heart safety.
Global Entrepreneurs Conclude Business Incubation Program
The GIST Business Incubation Showcase and Reception held on November 21 at the Halcyon incubator in Washington, D.C. included networking and pitches in front of investors and U.S. business experts.
Behind the Scenes of the First GIST Business Incubation Program
Nearly 30 innovative science and technology entrepreneurs representing startups from emerging economies worked at 10 U.S.-based incubators to learn how to expand their businesses into the United States market.
Ukrainian Innovation Rises to The Challenge
GIST has supported Ukrainian innovation across multiple fronts, including direct support of multiple Innovation Hubs spread throughout the country, as well as supporting Ukrainian innovators in attending global ecosystem events.