GIST Innovates the Balkans Pre-Accelerator Training Program

GIST Innovates the Balkans is a ten-week pre-accelerator training program modeled after the Lean Startup methodology. They will coach teams about how to apply the Lean Startup entrepreneurship methodology and how to do effective customer discovery for problem/solution fit of participants’ ideas. By the end of the program, teams will have completed at least 40 interviews with target customers, gaining valuable insight on how to shape their product for maximum impact.

The program will provide innovators with the training, mentoring, and resources they need to build their entrepreneurial skills and bring their ideas to market. The program will provide opportunities for teams to connect with mentors in the US and provide opportunities to interact with U.S.-based investors and companies.

After the training, teams may have an opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors at the Venture Devils Demo Day and visit ASU.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must be 18-40 years old on the application deadline, 31 March 2023.
• The applicant must be a citizen of one of the countries in the Balkans region: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia. The applicant does not need to be currently residing in the country.
• The applicant must not submit more than one application for the GIST Innovates program.
• The applicant must be eligible to travel to participate in the program, if selected. The applicant must have a valid passport with an expiration date after the end of 2024. The applicant must be able to provide a copy of his or her passport immediately upon acceptance into the program.
• Applicants who have previously participated in a GIST Innovates program will not be eligible to apply.
• While there is no limit to the number of people on a project team, only 2 people per team will participate in in-person activities in the program. All teams must appoint one person to represent the team throughout the entire program.
• All applicants are required to have sufficient proficiency in the English language to successfully participate in the program and to function on a day-to-day basis.
• All applicants must have a valid, active business. This will be proven by the applicant uploading proof of funding, proof of customer sales and/or proof of partnerships on the application.

Business/Technology Requirements

• The business/technology must be the original work of the applicant.
• Applications that fall under the following categories will not be accepted:
  • Research projects with no demonstrable commercial potential
  • Teams based at a charity or foundation (not-for-profit) organization
  • Teams based at organizations that buy and resell technologies and other goods
• Priority will be given to applications where the applicant has a strong and specific plan for how they would use their time in the program.

For more information, visit GIST.