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Voting is open in the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Tech-I competition, with 37 African candidates among the semi-finalists hoping the public will vote them into the finals.

The GIST Tech-I competition is an annual competition for science and technology entrepreneurs from emerging markets worldwide. Innovators submit their business ideas or existing startups online.  Experts narrow down applications to a shortlist of semi-finalists, and the global public votes to determine the finalists.

Up to thirty finalists will receive trips to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), to be held in Silicon Valley, where they will showcase their ventures and receive intensive training.

At the GES, the competition winners will be selected and will take home prizes, as well as securing mentorship and training.

GIST said this year a record 1,075 applications was received from 104 countries; which has been narrowed down to a shortlist of 102 semi-finalists from 51 countries.

37 of the semi-finalists hail from Africa; representing 18 countries on the continent.

In the startup category, 20 African semi-finalists were chosen. South Africa has the most representatives, with four entrepreneurs on the shortlist; followed by Nigeria and Egypt both with three each. Kenya and Ethiopia have two candidates each. Tanzania, Morocco, Cameroon, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi have one startup candidate each.

In the idea category, there are 17 African candidates on the shortlist. Kenya has the most representatives with three entrepreneurs on the list. Madagascar, Nigeria and Zambia have two candidates each. Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda, Mozambique, Tunisia, South Africa, Botswana and Libya all have one shortlisted candidate.

Candidates’ pitch videos are available to watch online, and voting is open, here; until the end of April.

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