FIRST Global

U.S. nonprofit running the FIRST Global Challenge, an annual Olympics-style international robotics competition with one team per nation.

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Company Overview

FIRST Global, the trade name of the International First Committee Association, is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity established by FIRST founder Dean Kamen, with its inaugural event held in 2017. The organization runs the FIRST Global Challenge, an Olympics-style international robotics competition that takes place in a different host country each year and invites one national team from every participating nation. Student teams build and program robots to complete tasks in a game themed around a major global challenge, such as access to clean water or energy, with the goal of fostering cross-cultural cooperation among high-school students through STEM. FIRST Global is organizationally distinct from FIRST: while FIRST operates domestic and multi-program robotics competitions, FIRST Global focuses specifically on uniting one team per nation in a single annual international event to promote STEM education and leadership in the developing world.

Past and upcoming host cities include Washington, D.C. (2017), Panama City, Mexico City, and Incheon, with teams from more than 190 nations participating. The organization runs supporting initiatives including the Global STEM Corps, which connects grassroots volunteers and university engineering departments with national teams for mentoring, and the FIRST Global Higher Education Network, which partners leading universities with their nation's team for technical guidance. Through robotics competition, FIRST Global aims to develop the self-confidence, skills, and vision of future STEM leaders and to encourage national governments to invest in STEM education for youth.

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Contact FIRST Global

WEBSITE

https://first.global/

HEADQUARTERS

Manchester , New Hampshire  03101

United States

Company Facts

Founded

2016

Primary Role

Research Institute

Company Size

-

Primary Region

North America

Annual Sales

-

Funding Stage

-

Funding Total

-

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