I'd highly recommend applying to this if you have any interest at all. Gaza Sky Geeks is doing great work, and the opportunity to meet and work alongside everyone there is a deeply inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Gaza Sky Geeks is kicking off a new round of incubation this fall with a bootcamp where new startup teams will be selected. We’re seeking startup experts and entrepreneurs to guide and inspire participants during the event. The deadline to apply for the bootcamp is July 15, but we’re also interested in mentors who can come on a rolling basis in the fall as well. We’ve included suggested email & social media messaging below. Thank you so much for your help! -- Ryan Sturgill *Director* *Gaza Sky Geeks Accelerator <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazaskygeeks.com%2F>Mercy Corps Digital Economy Program* Mobile (Orange): *+972-54-286-4024 <%2B972-54-286-4024>* Mobile (Jawwal): *+970-59-876-7969* Mobile (USA)/WhatsApp: *+1-312-206-1113* Skype: ryan.sturgill *[image: www.gazaskygeeks.com] <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazaskygeeks.com%2F> <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mercycorps.org%2F>* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mentor at Gaza Sky Geeks’ pre-incubation bootcamp this September 1-6 Apply by July 15 to join us in Gaza! [image: DSC_0241.JPG][image: 2008-01-10 13.47.54.jpg][image: Copy of IMG_6892.JPG][image: DSC_0030.JPG] Gaza Sky Geeks <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazaskygeeks.com%2F>, Gaza's first co-working space and startup accelerator, is seeking entrepreneurs, engineers and startup experts to join our next pre-incubation bootcamp from September 1 through 6. This marks the beginning of a new incubation cycle and GSG needs your help inspiring and cultivating local startup talent. The winning teams will join our incubation program for the next four months to launch products, gather customer feedback, and compete for seed capital. Mentors will have a life-changing experience and an immediate, deep impact on a community that will leave you inspired. Apply by Friday, July 15. Fill out this form <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fa%2Fgazaskygeeks.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2F1fNH7KlI7PrDTz7jZGc0N_Bi4MZkd4nU8hgPL4CjtmEo%2Fviewform>. Apply earlier to have a higher chance of being selected - applications will be reviewed as they arrive. If you can’t make the bootcamp in September but can come later in the fall to mentor our teams, please also apply! Questions? Read this site <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazaskygeeks.com%2Fmentor> and the info below, or contact us at mentor.recruitment@gazaskygeeks.com! Thanks! Gaza Sky Geeks Team ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Help us spread the word by posting on social media! Suggested messaging: Facebook: Amazing chance for startup experts and entrepreneurs to impact an awe-inspiring part of the world! Our friends at @Gaza Sky Geeks are running their pre-incubation bootcamp September 1-6. They have spots for a 8 experts to mentor in Gaza! Apply at www.gazaskygeeks.com/mentor <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazaskygeeks.com%2Fmentor> by July 15. Twitter (click here to Tweet this <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fctt.ec%2F04RdF>): Amazing chance 4 entrepreneurs 2 impact the world! Apply 2 mentor @GazaSkyGeeks bootcamp this September! DEADLINE JULY 15: gazaskygeeks.com/mentor <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fgazaskygeeks.com%2Fmentor> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Help us spread the word by forwarding this email! More information about mentoring at this event: Gaza Sky Geeks: Founded in 2011 with seed financing from Google and run by Mercy Corps, Gaza Sky Geeks is a co-working hub and tech startup incubator in Gaza. We’ve been featured in TechCrunch <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2015%2F08%2F16%2Ftips-for-silicon-valley-from-a-startup-accelerator-in-gaza%2F>, NYTimes <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fkristof.blogs.nytimes.com%2F2015%2F07%2F24%2Fa-startup-for-geeks-in-gaza%2F%3F_r%3D2>, Wired <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wired.com%2F2014%2F10%2Flike-build-startup-gaza-strip-bombs-drop%2F>, Bloomberg <https://mercycorps-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1yJ9gV4QJglFvMO65YnnbdNdZEc1TJLJqd4jj_n97MW8-273141352&key=YAMMID-45295867&link=http%3A%2F%2Fbloom.bg%2F1C3MNwp>, and other press. Our mission is to develop Gaza into an internationally competitive tech hub and cultivate entrepreneurs who can create incomes, jobs, and realize their own potential. Mercy Corps: A leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action—helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Mercy Corps has operated safely in Gaza for decades. The bootcamp: The 5-day event will be an intensive, hands-on training for very early-stage teams aiming to join our incubation program. Startups will be working on coding their product prototypes, customer validation, business models, and pitching their ideas. Mentors will be all hands on deck to give workshops, provide one-on-one mentoring sessions and give feedback on teams. At the end of the bootcamp, we'll be selecting the top teams to work with over the next four months. Mentors coming to Gaza: Gaza Sky Geeks runs events in Gaza regularly and has facilitated travel for 60+ mentors to come to Gaza from around the world in the past year. Almost all mentors who come to Gaza with us say it is a life-changing experience; some have already returned three times. After you apply, we can connect you to past mentors for more info on the experience. Why you should come: Gaza is one of the most incredible places in the world. Gaza’s borders are essentially closed, meaning most Gazans have never been more than 25 miles from home. Unemployment is 70% for recent college graduates. And yet the population is well-educated (99% literacy rate and high level of tertiary education), optimistic, and hungry to be a part of the global tech movement. Gaza Sky Geeks’ activities fall under a special humanitarian status that allows us to bring mentors to Gaza to support them. Thus, we can give you a chance to see - and contribute to - one of the most incredible places in the world. Getting to Gaza & costs: We provide the ability to participate meaningfully in the startup sector of one of the most amazing, inaccessible places in the world. Since we do not have enough funding at this time even for our own operations (feel free to connect us to potential partners/donors!), you will pay for your trip costs (estimated at $1,500 if coming from California, $800 if coming from Europe - includes flight and hotels) or find a sponsor to cover them. You’ll purchase a flight to Tel Aviv (or to Amman and cross by land to Jerusalem) and we’ll get you from there to Gaza. “Mentoring startups in Gaza is an eye-opening, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I walked away with a new, personal understanding of a misunderstood place. It was abundantly clear how we mentors added value, as evidenced by Gazans' enthusiasm to spend time with us, incorporate our feedback, and maintain contact even after we left. Their passion is inspiring and will take them to great places, with the right support.” - Taylor Valore, principal at Sadara Ventures [image: beacon]