The GIST Network will be hosting a set of three masterclasses in Serbia later this month, as a way to build and support local science and technology startups in the region. Beginning on May 22, GIST will begin its masterclass series “Supporting Science Based Startups in Serbia.” The series will focus on innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of science and technology, and will take place in Belgrade, Nis and North Novasad. The audience at each location is expected to range from managers of science-technology parks, university faculty, local and national economic development officials, incubators and accelerators, and student based startups.

The U.S. Embassy in Serbia was given the opportunity to host the masterclass series after Serbia was recognized as having the most votes tallied during the public voting portion of the 2016 GIST Tech-I Competition. As part of that recognition, GIST gave the embassy the opportunity to host an expert in innovation and entrepreneurship to lead several masterclasses throughout the country. GIST programmatic partner VentureWell selected Wiley Larson as the expert who will travel to Serbia to lead the three masterclasses.

Larson is co-founder and COO of Saccadous, Inc., a medical startup that is commercializing eye tracking technology for the diagnosis of concussions. He is also the past manager of Arizona State University’s Venture Development Program where he launched and led several ASU entrepreneurship and innovation programs. Those programs included the Rapid Startup School, the Arizona Furnace Technology Transfer Accelerator, the ASU Startup Accelerator, the ASU/Department of Defense Center of Excellence in Technology Transfer and the “TEST-BUILD- SCALE” startup curriculum.  Larson has worked with at least 70 ASU faculty members to commercialize their ideas and form their own companies.

The GIST Initiative is the U.S. Department of States flagship science and technology entrepreneurship program. Through online seminars, masterclasses and training programs, GIST empower and support science and technology entrepreneurs in 136 emerging economies around the world. Through its work, GIST has helped create new markets, promote security and grow opportunities for young founders.

You can register to attend the masterclass by clicking here.

Photo Credit: Flickr | Dennis Jarvis