Gain valuable entrepreneurial skills and practical business experience at UC Santa Cruz through the Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEn). This immersive 5-week program, consisting of three (3) weeks of online learning followed by two (2) weeks in-person on the UC Santa Cruz campus, offers students a unique opportunity to engage with an international cohort of fellow entrepreneurs. Participants will gain hands-on experience through a comprehensive curriculum consisting of lectures, industry guest speakers, site visits in Silicon Valley, and guided internships or startup business development.
During the program, students will choose between an internship track or a startup accelerator track. This approach ensures that participants are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to their fields, equipped with both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed in the dynamic world of business.
- Internship Track: Students provide high-quality freelancing support to historically underserved small businesses, nonprofits, and startups. This mutually beneficial arrangement equips businesses with essential digital tools to thrive, while students gain practical experience in client interactions, project management, team building, leadership training, and proposal writing. As part of this experience, students will build simple no-code websites and/or develop social media marketing campaigns, helping businesses expand their digital presence. This real-world engagement not only provides businesses with valuable resources but also helps students develop a sense of purpose and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by small enterprises.
- Startup Accelerator Track: Students develop a startup idea, create a comprehensive business plan through customer discovery, and build a compelling pitch deck using the Lean Startup and NSF I-Corp methods. This approach enables them to apply entrepreneurial principles in a supportive, controlled environment while receiving mentorship from industry leaders. Additionally, networking opportunities with Silicon Valley professionals provide valuable insights into the realities of launching and scaling a successful business.
The GEn program was developed by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED) and the Division of Global Engagement.
CIED received the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation Award at the 2024 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) Conference, acknowledging centers that have developed significant innovations in entrepreneurship education.
Dates and Proposed Schedule
Online
| Week 1: June 23-27 | Program Orientation Online Instruction |
| Week 2: June 30 – July 3 | Online Instruction |
| Week 3: July 7 – 11 | Online Instruction |
| July 13 | Students arrive in Santa Cruz |
In-person
| Week 4: July 14 – 18 | In-Person Instruction (Santa Cruz) |
| Week 5: July 21 – 25 | In-Person Instruction (Santa Cruz) |
| July 26 | Students depart Santa Cruz |
Curriculum
The curriculum is structured around three pivotal domains:
- founder-based IP startups integrated within a sustainability framework,
- comprehensive exploration of operational and administrative facets crucial for business launch,
- and an internship dedicated to developing skills essential for overseeing client-facing consulting projects.
Upon completion of the program, students will have participated in two distinct teams: one focused on developing a startup idea with comprehensive execution plans, and the other dedicated to client-facing projects, involving the construction of websites and the creation of social media campaigns.
Costs
Total Program Costs: $3,350*
Includes five weeks of instruction and administration of the program, campus meal plan and on-campus housing in a dual-occupancy room for two weeks in-person, airport transfer to/from Santa Cruz, and excursions to businesses in the greater Bay Area.
*Excludes airfare, insurance, J-1 visa application fees
Participant Profile
This program is open to all university students who wish to gain valuable entrepreneurial skills and practical business experience while building their network in Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area. The ideal participant for this program will have:
- An interest in entrepreneurship and seeking innovative solutions to business problems
- A proactive approach to learning and uncovering new insights
- A willingness to engage with diverse perspectives
- A level of proficiency in English sufficient to be able to contribute meaningfully to class discussions and collaborative projects
Guest Speakers
CTO of CruzFoam and former President, Global Sales & Customer Experience Energy Group at Tesla Solar working directly with Elon Musk
Former Apple Evangelist, author, and host of the Remarkable People podcast
Program Partnerships Lead at Google and associate adjunct Professor for CIED
Former Creative Director at Apple working directly with Steve Jobs and associate adjunct Professor for CIED
Application Process
The following are required:
- Statement of Interest – (500 words or fewer) introducing yourself and explaining your motivation for applying to participate in the GEn program. Please be sure to address the following points in your Statement:
- Highlight any past academic or personal experience, skills, and/or interests as they relate to the program and its goals.
- Discuss any future academic and career goals, and how your participation in the GEn program will help to advance those goals.
- Provide any other relevant details that would help faculty to evaluate your preparedness to undertake a research internship.
- Resume/CV
- Copy of most recent academic transcript
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable) such as TOEFL/IELTS/DET scores, or a test listed here; the Program manager may also elect to conduct online interviews with applicants.
The application will open in October 2024 and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Final Application Deadline: March 28, 2025
Questions?
Contact Partnership and Program Manager Colin Cole at macocole@ucsc.edu.