TRANSFORM YOUR STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE INTO A STARTUP JOURNEY
The #1 Study Abroad Program for Future Entrepreneurs
EIA is more than a study abroad program—it’s a global launchpad for future entrepreneurs and innovators. By equipping future innovators with skills, mentorship, and resources, EIA empower students to turn ideas into real businesses and drive innovation worldwide.
Why Choose EIA Study Abroad Program?
More than Study Abroad – A Startup Accelerator for Future Innovators
Join the World’s Leading Study Abroad Entrepreneurship Program!
EIA Study Abroad Programs' Proven Impact – The Numbers Speak
✔ Over $2.2 BLN raised by EIA alumni startups, demonstrating tangible real-world impact beyond the program.
✔ More than 32K jobs created by EIA alumni globally.
✔ 97% of alumni startups address challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
(EIA Alumni Survey, 2024)
✔ 40% of alumni launched startups following their EIA experience.
✔ 90% of the startups are launched within 1-3 years after EIA.
✔ 64% of the businesses founded after EIA are still active.
(EIA Alumni Survey, 2024)
✔ 56% of participants intended to start a business after completing the program—a 12% increase from the start.
✔ 55% of teams continued working on their startup after EIA.
✔ Founding intent grew most among students with no prior startup experience, rising from 0% to 58%.
✔ Entrepreneurial intent increased by 15% among women compared to 9% among men, showing EIA’s strong impact on empowering female entrepreneurs.
✔ Women reported higher confidence in pitching and leadership post-program.
✔ Peer-driven learning boosted entrepreneurial passion by 1.3 points on a 5-point scale.
✔ Passion for inventing, founding, and developing increased significantly in high-energy teams, meaning that individuals who started with lower passion levels saw higher growth when surrounded by highly motivated peers.
✔ High-passion teams received stronger investor ratings for their startup ideas, reinforcing that passion impacts not just motivation but also external validation from industry experts.
✔ Self-efficacy (confidence in success) increased by +1.8 on a -3 to +3 scale.
✔ Resilience increased by +1.6 points on a -3 to +3 scale, showing improved ability to overcome entrepreneurial challenges.
✔ Optimism & goal orientation increased by +1.5 to +1.7 points on a -3 to +3 scale, key factors in long-term success.
✔ Students felt more prepared to take risks and lead teams.
(Brandt, 2023)
UPCOMING STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
European Innovation Academy Porto
European Innovation Academy Rome
From Study Abroad to Global Startup
EIA alumni have raised over $2.2 BLN in funding, created more than 32K jobs globally, and driven global impact by tackling challenges to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Shayanne Wright : She LEFT and she Conquered
Shayanne Wright. Since EIA, she has led her company through Women’s Startup Labs, an Accelerator Program in Silicon Valley with a less than 5% acceptance rate, has been working with…
Ryan Malley: “EIA was everything I could have hoped for”
In 2017, Ryan Malley from California, US, joined our 3 week EIA program in Cascais, Portugal. Before graduating from college, he wanted one last challenge and found it in abroad,…
“EIA was the chance to develop our business and prove the viability of Paperchain”
It all started with Daniel Dewar’s intensive research into Blockchain and smart contracts. After time spent working in the Film & Television industry, Daniel decided to bring his personal business…
“If I could give you one piece of advice, I’d say: Don’t wait!”
Olivier Malafronte always knew that he was born to be an entrepreneur. Despite this, starting his own business didn’t happen overnight. The young entrepreneur worked hard to pursue his dreams….
Danny Tran: Life Beyond The 9 to 5
Danny Tran was 23 years old when he was fired from his job without warning. It wasn’t the best day of his life. At that moment, Danny was over $100,000…
“The European Innovation Academy is a School for Life”
Tanja Gebhard lives in Switzerland, where she is currently working toward a master’s degree at the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz University. Last July, she joined the European Innovation Academy in Hong Kong….
7 Key Learnings and Experiences from EIA
Bobbie Reyes is currently an undergrad student at the University of Berkeley. In July 2019, she accepted the challenge to create a startup in 15 days and joined the European Innovation Academy,…
“The Most Fabulous Experience of My Life”
Written by Matheus Moura | Business Administration Undergrad Student at University of Porto I remember my first day at the European Innovation Academy. It was a lovely Sunday, and I…
“After all, success lies in effort and perseverance, not in perfection.”
In Summer 2018, Henrique Carvalho from University of Lisboa joined EIA in Portugal and along with his team developed Clynx. Since those intense weeks, a lot has happened. We’ve talked…
“5 Things I Learned at the European Innovation Academy”
by Thais Porsch* If I told you that it’s possible to create a startup from scratch in three weeks, would you believe it? I wouldn’t either. That was, of course,…
Justin Sung: My EIA Experience in 162 Seconds
What are the memories you have from EIA? To answer this question, Justin Sung, a Cognitive Science student at UC Berkeley created a video with his colleagues. Passionate about filmmaking,…
Meet the Dinesens: The 15-Year-Old Triplets Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship needs to be learned at an early age. It doesn’t matter what your future plans are; developing your entrepreneurial skills will help you to go further in your studies…
From Participant to Designer: Meet Shaikha Alsubaey
The Arab Innovation Academy is the biggest entrepreneurship program in the Arab Region. Every year, more than 200 participants of 30 nationalities get together at Qatar Science and Technology Park…
“I don’t believe in failure but rather in moments of learning and clarity”
In July 2019, Jeniffer Mpho Lebethe took a 13-hour flight from Johannesburg to Hong Kong. The long journey was just the first challenge she would face during the days at…
From Berkeley to Portugal: An International Experience at EIA
Arjun Sarkar is in his third year at the University of California, Berkeley. Last July, the Environmental Economics and Policy student accepted the challenge to have an international experience at…
From Caracas to Beijing: Meet Angel Eugeunio
Exploring different cultures and accepting great challenges is part of Angel Eugenio’s life. Born in Venezuela, the marketing professional decided to call Beijing home and is fluent in Mandarin. In…
“The best form of education anyone can get!”
How many cities have you visited in your life? Esther Chan, a participant at EIA Hong Kong, has travelled to more than 50 and she’s only 20 years old. Currently…
“EIA was the cornerstone of my own business”
Dario Principi didn’t know much about the startup universe when he joined the European Innovation Academy. The three-week entrepreneurship program was just the beginning of Dario’s entrepreneurial journey. Since EIA…
“EIA was more than I had hoped for.”
Johanna Smith was living in Shanghai when she joined EIA in July 2019. Coming from New Zealand, the agricultural sales young professional was taking a six-month break to improve her…
“No matter how great your product/service idea might be, you can’t do it alone.”
Kylan Kester describes himself as a passionate and resourceful designer and community builder. But, don’t get him wrong. This Atlanta-based professional is a multifaceted person. He’s one of those people…
WHO WE SERVE
Turn Study Abroad into a Startup Accelerator
🚀 Build & Launch a Startup
Turn your idea into a real business in 15 days—and earn academic credit.
🌍 Global Networking
Connect with students, co-founders, and investors from 85+ countries.
👨🏫 Expert Mentorship
Learn directly from Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
🔥 Develop Leadership Skills
Build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving abilities to lead teams.
💡 Master Innovation
Transform ideas into market-ready startups using real-world strategies.
Elevate Your Study Abroad Offerings
🚀 Hands-On Learning
Students apply theory to real-world projects, boosting problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking.
🌍 Global Collaboration
Multidisciplinary teams develop international career skills and cross-cultural communication.
👨🏫 Expert Mentorship
Daily one-on-one coaching from startup mentors, investors, and business leaders.
🔥 Fast-Tracked Skill Development
Three weeks of intensive startup training in pitching, teamwork, and leadership.
💡 Boost Reputation & Employability
Graduates launch startups and advance careers, strengthening university rankings in innovation.
Shape the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
🌍 Global Impact
Inspire young innovators and fuel entrepreneurship worldwide.
🤝 Expand Your Network
Collaborate with top universities, industry leaders, and startups.
🎓 Personal Fulfillment
Guide participants through transformative learning experiences.
✈️ Travel & Experience
Join programs in Portugal, Italy and Qatar.
🔄 Mutual Learning
Share expertise, gain fresh perspectives, and bridge the generation gap.
Collaborate with EIA to Drive Global Innovation
🌟 Access Top Talent
Connect with career-ready students skilled in innovation and leadership.
📈 Boost Your Brand
Strengthen your reputation as a leader in education and entrepreneurship.
🤝 Expand Your Network
Build relationships with top institutions, businesses, and thought leaders.
🌍 Drive Social Impact
Empower future innovators and support global education equity.
🚀 Shape the Future
Mentor students, host workshops, and influence the next wave of innovation.
Ready to Become a Part of Global Movement?
We are proud of
25K
Alumni Network
1M
Entrepreneurs Nurtured
215
University Network
350
Faculty Experts
200
Business Customers