GIST Catalyst Women in Climate Pitch Competition for Young Entrepreneurs 2023

In celebration of the APEC 2023 U.S. host year, top women climate innovators will receive expert pitch and business training, with the opportunity to present their solutions on a global stage for the chance to win generous prizes.

Catalyst has given more than 80 entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their innovation to high-impact investors, policy makers, and leaders in the U.S. private sector, while competing for generous startup resources. Launched during the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in Hyderabad, India, the competition has been repeated in 2019 (at the GES in The Hague, Netherlands), the 2019 APEC Forum in La Serena, Chile, in 2021 at the GIST Catalyst Virtual Pitch Competition, and in Thailand in 2022 with the specific goal of uplifting and advancing women in innovation throughout the Asia-Pacific region. This year's competition promises to continue in the footsteps of past events, offering valuable learning and networking opportunities to the participants and showcasing solutions that the world needs now.

About Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST)

The U. S. Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative empowers young innovators through networking, skills building, mentoring, and access to financing to develop startup solutions that address economic and development challenges. The GIST initiative is predicated upon a simple idea: when you provide young men and women with the skills they need to be successful entrepreneurs, they will gain confidence and be more likely to take the risks needed to turn their ideas into new ventures.  GIST participants in 135 emerging economies can dev... read more

GIST Catalyst Women in Climate Pitch Competition

Aim and Benefits of GIST Catalyst Women in Climate Pitch Competition

• Intensive training in startup methodology & acceleration support
• Access to business mentors
• Opportunity to win startup resources
• Networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, government representatives, and other entrepreneurship ecosystem members

Requirements for GIST Catalyst Women in Climate Pitch Competition Qualification

The applicant must:

• Be a citizen of one of the above mentioned economies
• Be the founder of a science / technology startup with operations in that same country
• Be between the age of 18-40 years old
• Have not previously participated in in-person GIST activities such as Catalyst pitch competitions, Business Incubation, Tech-I, or Startup Trainings.
• Submit a complete application
• Startups led by women, and startups that directly advance the interests of women in the countries where they operate are particularly encouraged to apply.
• This program’s location and dates are subject to change. GIST staff will inform applicants at the earliest opportunity if such changes do occur.

Interview date, Process and Venue for GIST Catalyst Women in Climate Pitch Competition

Selection Process

• Up to 29 Quarterfinalist innovators will be accepted for in-person training as part of this program.
• From that group, 12 Semifinalists will be selected.
• 6 Finalists will be selected to participate in the Finals event.
• We encourage innovators to apply as early as possible.

Timeline

• Phase 1: Submission May 1 - June 7 

• Phase 2: Expert Panel Review & Quarterfinalist selection June 12 - 16

• Phase 3: Quarterfinals Virtual Pitching - June 26 - 30

• Phase 4: In-Person Trainings and Semifinals, Seattle, USA - August 1 - 5

• Phase 5: In-Person Finals, Seattle, USA - August 6

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details,visit GIST Catalyst website