The GIST Initiative Opens Applications for Business Incubation: Ukraine
The innovative program is set to bring 15 top innovators from Ukraine to entrepreneurship hubs in the United States
GIST is proud to announce the launch of applications for our next U.S business incubation program- Business Incubation Ukraine. Applications are open now through August 4. The launch of this exciting program is deeply important to us as an organization. Throughout the last 10 years, the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative has worked with dozens of startups and ecosystem organizations in Ukraine to support science and technology entrepreneurial ventures. In response to the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, we commit to continuing that work to support the Ukrainian people. The GIST Business Incubation program will invite 15 early-stage Ukrainian innovators to be housed at top U.S.-based incubators. The 6-month program will help ensure these innovators are best positioned for success, with the ultimate goal of empowering Ukrainians to commercialize their science and tech solutions, bringing them out of the lab and into the market.
Applications are now being accepted. Apply by 4 August, 2022 to be considered for this amazing opportunity.
The Business Incubation Program is built on facilitating meaningful relationships between U.S expertise and global entrepreneurs. To date, over 35 different ventures have gone through the program, and have collectively generated over $650,000 in funding. A key pillar of this approach is the formative relationships and networks developed with some of the leading entrepreneurial ecosystem players in the United States, including major universities and innovation centers, spaces like mHub Chicago, TechTown Detroit, The Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation, and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation–to name just a few of the incredible innovation network partners that participants can gain access to. Previous participants have had incredible experiences, from visiting the NASA Space Center to meeting Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. These experiences can directly translate to sustained success and growth in the United States and abroad. An example of the program’s effectiveness can be found in the continued success of founder Vamekh Kherkheulidze and his venture Elven Technologies, who first participated in a regional GIST Startup Training before coming to the U.S. as part of the first Business Incubation cohort. Since that time, they have continued to acquire clients across Europe and more recently, in Hollywood, California.
Participants' time in the United States is capped by a visit to Washington D.C, where they have the opportunity to interface with representatives of the U.S Government, as well as leadership from the U.S Department of State.
We believe the skills and experience that innovators can attain through this program are vital for the entrepreneurship and innovation community in Ukraine as they navigate this challenging moment. Business Incubation alumna and Ukrainian innovator Alyona Glushko described what she gained from the experience-
“The connections gained are so useful. I had an amazing experience networking–if I have questions about one area, or startups in a sector, or building a business, I can reach out to someone and get answers and have that support.”
Alyona, founder of Ms.She.Science and Senior Lecturer at the National Technical University Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute, also shared her thoughts on the future of innovation in Ukraine-
“After this war, I think that a lot of people will come back to continue our previous lives. We will start to build a new Ukraine, and each of us will help our country because all of us love Ukraine. We will do amazing things as innovators and scientists and continue our journey...I think that Ukraine has an amazing future.”
Now more than ever, the GIST Initiative is proud to play a part in continuing to build the innovation ecosystem for a bright Ukrainian future. Are you an innovator in Ukraine looking for the opportunity to catalyze your startup? Apply for this opportunity, and we’ll help you get there.
