The U. S. Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology initiative (GIST) is pleased to announce the launch of the second GIST Innovates Ukraine pre-accelerator training, a 10-week program that will train and mentor Ukrainian STEM innovators on their journey to becoming entrepreneurs.

The goal of the GIST Innovates program is to provide innovators with the training, mentoring, and resources they need to bring their ideas out of the university lab and into the market.

In partnership with the U.S. Ukraine Foundation, the University of Georgia, and implemented by VentureWell, GIST Innovates Ukraine 2021 continues the success of the previous year’s training which saw participation from 18 teams. GIST is excited to contribute to empowering early-stage S&T  innovators through this second program to build their business skills as they take steps to commercialize their innovation and launch their product. Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 cohort.

This accelerated online training program is modeled after the Lean Startup methodology, an approach that has helped startups around the world develop and launch their businesses. GIST Innovates recently successfully completed the first Ukrainian program. Startups in that cohort have already seen successes including initial sales following an impressive Demo Day where participants pitched their solutions to an audience of ecosystem partners, program contributors, program instructors, and corporate partners.

Participants of GIST Innovates Ukraine will be eligible to apply for a spot in the GIST Business Incubation program. Two Ukrainian teams will be selected to participate in this international entrepreneurship program that is scheduled to take place in Fall 2021.

If you are interested in applying for GIST Innovates Ukraine, please click here. Applications must be completed by 1 May, 2021.

GIST Innovates Ukraine is a national-level program; Ukrainian citizens nationwide are encouraged to apply.