GIST Investors Overview
Early-stage investment is one of the key elements that help a startup grow from a small, local enterprise into a source of innovation, employment and economic growth. This is particularly true in emerging economies, where local investment networks struggle to support science and technology startups.
In order to create sustainable investment networks, the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative has created the Investor Mobilization Training program (GIST Investors). Through implementation partner VentureWell, GIST Investors works with in-country stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem to bolster local financial support for startups.
Rather than building new networks, GIST Investors focuses on existing investor communities and networks in order to provide local support for startups. The program identifies key investors within a country or region who can benefit from participating in the training program. As part of their training, these investors learn how they can strengthen the local systems through places that foster entrepreneurs.
Click on the links at the bottom of this page to learn more about the program in participating countries.
If you represent a formal investor network, venture capital firm or investment fund and are interested participating in the GIST Investors program, contact Mandy Sutton at [email protected].
If you have questions about GIST programming please send us an email at [email protected].
GIST Investors Past Events
GIST Investors Ukraine
Ukraine is a vital expression of the US values of innovation. The growth of the tech sector in Ukraine alone is more than 25% year-on-year in terms of revenue. Which is why GIST was excited to hold a special investor training event in Ukraine in January of 2022. The GIST Investors program in Ukraine covered topics such as seeking investment, being investor ready, and deal flow with the hope that entrepreneurs and budding angels will gain specific knowledge that will continue to grow their innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
GIST Investors Bhutan
Bhutan is, and currently remains, the only carbon-negative country on Earth. With more than 70% of the country covered in trees, Bhutan has become a “carbon sink” – meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces. GIST was excited to hold a special investor training event in Bhutan in 2021. The GIST Investors program in Bhutan covered topics such as seeking investment, being investor ready, and deal flow with the hope that entrepreneurs and budding angels will gain specific knowledge that will continue to grow their innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
GIST Investors Mexico
Over the last several years, Mexico City has positioned itself as a hub for innovation in Latin America. The greater metropolitan area boasts a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports an extensive network of incubator and accelerator programs; a multitude of entrepreneurs launching disrupting ventures; an active, well-funded network of angel investors; and more than 60 venture capital firms (Financial Times, 2018).
GIST Investors Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is quickly becoming a Financial Tech powerhouse in Southeast Asia. Ranked the 31st most powerful city by the Global Power City Index, the Malaysian capital is proving itself an attractive and affordable location for entrepreneurs to setup shop. However, more can be done to create better investment opportunities for the startup ecosystem.
GIST Investors Indonesia
The U.S. Department of State Global Innovation through Science and Technology, or GIST, Initiative, along with implementation partner VentureWell and local partner Angel Investment Network Indonesia (ANGIN), provided continued support for the Indonesian science and technology startup ecosystem by launching a second GIST Investors Mobilization Training Program, also known as GIST Investors, in April 5, 2019.
GIST Investors Vietnam
The U.S. Department of State Global Innovations through Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative, together with implementation partner VentureWell, and local partners Fablab Da Nang and Hatch! Ventures, supported the Vietnam startup ecosystem in 2019 by offering a series of GIST Investors Mobilization Training programs. During each program, leading global investors trained Vietnamese investors on the fundamentals of angel investing, conducting due diligence, managing portfolios, and negotiating term sheets and valuations.
GIST Investors Egypt
Historically, Egypt has been at the crossroads of cultures, trade, and innovation. This unique status has continued into the digital age, with young innovators and entrepreneurs creating new technologies and leveraging innovations to build leading startups. Egyptian investors are taking note and to date in 2018 funding of science and technology startups has grown by 21.4%, compared to all of 2017.
GIST Investors Colombia
Today, Medellin, Colombia is becoming a powerhouse for innovation in South America. Medellin, the second largest city in Colombia, was named the most innovative city in the world in 2013 by the Wall Street Journal and Citibank. The city was also host to the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Congress, an international entrepreneurship gathering of entrepreneurs, policymakers and ecosystem leaders.
