Gain valuable entrepreneurial skills and practical business experience at UC Santa Cruz through the Global Entrepreneurship Program. This immersive 5-week program, running from June to July, offers students the unique opportunity to engage in hands-on learning through a comprehensive curriculum that provides a choice between two distinct tracks: an internship experience or a startup accelerator.
As part of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED), the program includes lectures, guest speakers, site visits, and tailored experiences to provide a well-rounded entrepreneurial education.
- Internship Experience: Students opting for this track will 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 Experience: In this track, students focus on developing a startup idea, creating a comprehensive business plan through customer discovery, and building 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.
By choosing either the internship or startup accelerator track, students in the program develop self-discovery and leadership skills while gaining a holistic view of entrepreneurship. 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.
Dates
The program duration is 5 weeks, with three weeks remote and 2 weeks on campus at UCSC.
Dates TBD, likely June – July 2025.
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
Information Coming Soon.
Eligibility
Information Coming Soon.
Proposed Schedule
- Week One – Remote Instruction and Programming
- Week Two – Remote Instruction and Programming
- Week Three – Remote Instruction and Programming
- Week Four – In-Person Instruction and Programming (Santa Cruz)
- Week Five – In-Person Instruction and Programming (Santa Cruz)
Guest Speakers
- Jeremy Neuner – Program Partnerships Lead at Google and associate adjunct Professor for CIED
- Rick Vargas Former Creative Director at Apple working directly with Steve Jobs and associate adjunct Professor for CIED
- Toby Corey – CTO of CruzFoam and former President, Global Sales & Customer Experience Energy Group working directly with Elon Musk
- Guy Kawasaki – Former Apple Evangelist, author, and host of the Remarkable People podcast.
Participant Profile
This program is open to university students who wish to gain valuable entrepreneurial skills and practical business experience as they begin networking in Silicon Valley. The ideal participant for the program has some proficiency in English and is a naturally curious individual with a genuine enthusiasm for exploration and discovery. Their inquisitive nature drives them to seek out deeper understanding and innovative solutions, making them an excellent fit for a program that values intellectual curiosity and a proactive approach to learning. With a passion for uncovering insights and a willingness to engage with diverse perspectives, this participant is well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to discussions and collaborative efforts within the program.
Questions?
Contact Partnership and Program Manager Colin Cole.