GITC: The Private Council Building the Bridge to Silicon Valley

An invitation-only alliance for the world's top ecosystem leaders, building the "fast lane" for the next generation of global unicorns.

This is Not Another Network. This is a Working Council.

We are not looking for "members." We are inviting "co-architects". GITC is a global commonwealth connecting 50+ startup communities from emerging markets to the US market.

The GITC is our global leadership body—a private working group for influential leaders committed to building this high-value bridge for their startups

Request Your Invitation

The "Fast Lane": A Direct Path to the US Market

ive your portfolio an unparalleled advantage. As a Council member, your top startups get priority scouting for the Global Top Startup Awards and a guided, lawyer-supported path to the EB-1 Talent Visa. This is the ultimate "fast lane" to the US.
The "Seat at the Table": Real Influence, Not Just a Title

You co-design the rules. We need your expertise to define the selection criteria for the Unicorn Awards and shape the Global Launchpad program. Your voice determines how this bridge is built.
The "Treasure Map": Exclusive Insights

Access information not available on TechCrunch. Receive Peter's monthly "US VC Trends" private briefing, detailing exactly what Silicon Valley investors are hunting for right now.
The "Velvet Rope": An Elite, Vetted Peer Group

Membership is strictly by invitation or nomination. You will be in a room with your true peers from leading startup ecosystems worldwide—and connected to the global GITC leadership.

The Stars Up Awards

From Regional Success to Global Relevance

The Stars Up Awards is the GITC’s flagship initiative—a strategic bridge connecting the continent’s most resilient startup ecosystems to U.S. capital, technology, and scalable growth.

We feature companies that have moved beyond hypothesis to prove their value through measurable results, sustainable trajectories, and readiness for international expansion.

For the American investment community, the Awards serve as a curated beacon for identifying high-growth technology ventures; for participating startups, they provide the "fast lane" to institutional credibility and U.S. market entry.

Learn More About the Awards

A Multidimensional Ecosystem

The Awards integrate a sophisticated "soft diplomacy" framework to build a platform of trust:

Contemporary Art & Digital Storytelling

Immersive audiovisual installations and graphic narratives highlight the intellectual property and creative capital fueling the next generation of African tech.
The Language of Trust

Live stand-up comedy and curated musical performances remove traditional barriers, facilitating peer-level dialogue between founders and investors.
Infrastructure of Growth

Utilizing floral and spatial design inspired by diverse ecosystems, the event reflects the organic strength and resilience of the startups we scout.
Diplomatic Connectivity

In collaboration with African embassies and governmental bodies, we provide a structured environment for long-term global partnerships.

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The Alliance Leadership

The Founding Council

Peter Mebert (USA)

Co-Founder

Helping founders and companies from emerging markets grow, scale, and enter the U.S. market.

CEO at MEBERT GROUP | Ex-BCG, Accenture, EPAM | Strategy, M&A, Organizational Growth
Hilton Theunissen (South Africa)

Co-Founder

Co-founder Growthwheel SA, VP Partnerships Growthwheel Interactional, Founder of Zuza Ventures

Expert in a field "no one understands": sustainable livelihoods, purposefull social elevation mastery, J.E.D.I. mindset.