Innovators

GIST Catalyst Virtual Pitch Competition Semifinalists have been announced. This diverse and dynamic group of innovators is a great example of the GIST community's commitment to bring innovative solutions to the world's most pressing issues. We could not be more excited to welcome this group to compete at this elite level, to showcase their solutions, and to be part of something greater than themselves. 

Eastern and Central Europe has become one of the most important regions for GIST to work in over the past decade. From our recent pre-accelerator training program, GIST Innovates Ukraine, our stellar Belarusian alumni's recent Series A funding, to our many Innovation Hubs throughout the region, we have been inspired by the incredible vision and ambition present in the young innovators in this space. Read on to find out why much of the future will be born in this exciting region.

There are numerous, cascading challenges that are affecting agriculture globally, with unique manifestations at the local and regional level. We can summarize these challenges succinctly as one, interrelated “triple challenge”-feeding a growing population, providing a livelihood for farmers, and protecting the environment –which must be tackled together if we are to make sustainable progress on any of them.

Part 1: The Increasing Role of AgTech Today

Why did GIST choose to bring its teams of experts, instructors, and mentors to Bhutan? What is it about this secluded Asian nation that makes it a perfect fit for GIST’s mission to empower science and technology innovators and strengthen emerging economies? The answers might surprise you; there is much, much more to this small mountain kingdom than meets the eye.

The impact of agriculture on our society cannot be overstated. Agriculture transformed us from nomads to farmers, allowed for the building of cities and nations, as well as new achievements in art, writing, and math. Despite this, AgTech can be seen as a less glamorous and sometimes overlooked field for innovative entrepreneurs.

Diversity can mean a lot of things, but at the end of the day, it’s really about creating a space where different voices can contribute to making a better whole. Creating spaces where people from all sorts of perspectives can make meaningful contributions isn’t just good for you and your co-workers; it can be an incredible asset to your business. What are some of these assets, and how can you make the most of them?

At some point during their entrepreneurial journey, an innovator will need to seek investment in order to move their solution forward. Investment can take many forms from self-funding, to crowdfunding, to venture capital, to angel capital. Knowing the difference between them, and when to use them or to refuse them, allows an entrepreneur to find the funding that best fits their venture’s needs. We’ve put these steps together from our industry experts for you to understand and be prepared for investment in your startup.