European Innovation Academy
The European Innovation Academy (EIA) is a 3-week startup program in Porto, Portugal, where you form a team with students from other universities to develop a product in a startup environment.
Whether you come with your own idea or apply without one, you have the flexibility to either choose a team with a concept that inspires you or persuade others to join your own company. You will collaborate with students from universities around the world, including UC Berkeley and the National University of Singapore, and receive weekly guidance from 75+ mentors working at companies like Google, TikTok, and Microsoft. Throughout the program, you will have the chance to network with Silicon Valley professionals, gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship, and pitch your project to investors, venture capitalists, and an audience of over 1,000.
Applications for the 2025 European Innovation Academy are open!
EIA is distinctive on a couple dimensions: first – it is truly experiential. The best way to learn entrepreneurship is to get out of the classroom and jump into immersive experience. And secondly the cultural experience during these three weeks is also incredible. You are working with cross-cultural teams from different backgrounds that bring a diverse set of experiences.
Your Entrepreneurial Journey
EIA guides students in building a scalable business model amongst a team of international students through ideation, marketing, prototyping, and finally, pitching the product idea to venture capitalists. The EIA program is designed as a experiential startup bootcamp and is to be viewed as a course to work on your entrepreneurial, intercultural, and interpersonal skills that can continue to be utilized upon return to the United States.
Daily Schedule
From July 13-August 1, 2024, students will start the day hearing from keynote speakers that are experts in their industry. Following lunch, mentors will act as a guide to help student visualize their idea into a sellable startup.
Affordable & Accessible
EIA has developed an immersive entrepreneurship program that will deliver an authentic experience for students. The program fee includes all mentoring activities, housing accommodations, and welcome/farewell dinners.
- Program fee does not include: round-trip airfare, daily food/entertainment expenses, additional travel (i.e. weekend excursions), visas (if applicable) transportation in-city
- Additional OIA fees include: application fee, administrative fee and international accident and sickness insurance
- GPA of 2.75 or greater
- Good Standing with Office of Student Conduct
- Enrolled as an OSU student throughout duration of program (not available to graduating seniors)
- Valid Passport
- Not required for application, but you must have a passport at the time of visa application or departure, which ever comes first
- To apply or renew your passport, go to travel.state.gov
- Not required for application, but you must have a passport at the time of visa application or departure, which ever comes first
- Meet OIA's General Eligibility Requirements
- Meet OIA's Conditions for Participation
- Meet OGB Code of Conduct and Participation Policy
Step 1: Learn More
- Read more about the program on the OIA Brochure.
- Submit a Student Interest Form to ensure your questions are answered, and our office can update you on important deadlines.
- Attend an Information Session to learn more about the program, and hear from past participants.
- Visit https://www.inacademy.eu/portugal/ learn more about program details.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
- Application: Apply for EIA
- Final Application Deadline: Monday, January 13, 2025, at 11:59 pm
- Note: A $150 application fee will be due upon application submission. The application fee will be refunded only if you submit a written request to withdraw prior to the application deadline, you are not accepted to your global education program or if the program were to be cancelled.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered!
- As part of the application process, applicants will need to submit the following items:
- Resume
- Video Recording. Record and upload a video of yourself (3-minute limit) that answers the below questions:
- Why are you interested in a global internship?
- What relevant courses, work experiences, or personal experiences do you have that will help you succeed in a global work environment?
- What type of company, industry, or scope of internship do you hope to obtain based on your skillsets and qualifications?
- As part of the application process, applicants will need to submit the following items:
- Upload the video to buckeyemailosu-my.sharepoint.com, and paste the shareable link in the field below. Instructions on how to obtain a shareable link. Confirm that “People with the Link” is selected when you enable the shareable link. If “People with the Link” is not selected, our office will be unable to view your video submission.
- Resume Review Agreement (OPTIONAL)
- It is recommended that all student resumes be evaluated by either the Office of Career Management or the Office of Global Business.
- You can bring a printed copy of your resume to be reviewed by OCM Peer Career Coaches below:
Step 3: Prepare for EIA!
- Funding: Apply for one of the many scholarships/grant opportunities compiled on the Office of Global Business web page.
Step 4: Pay Your Program Fees
- Deposit ($1,000 non-refundable):
- Due 2 weeks after acceptance email is received
- Program Fee ($3,430 - $1,000 deposit)
- Due Friday, January 24, 2025
- OIA Fees (variable based on length of program):
- OIA Admin Fee ($50)
- OIA Study Abroad Fee (international accident and sickness insurance)
The following links are provided as reference when considering education abroad programs:
- OSU Health and Safety
- OSU Supplemental International Insurance
- OSU Cancellation Policy
- Funding and Scholarships
- OSU Travel Alerts
- OSU Travel to Risk Designated Countries: Any student traveling to study, conduct research or field work, or participate in a service learning project or an international program in a risk-designated country must petition the International Travel Policy Committee (ITPC) for approval. More information is provided on the linked website. For further information on the policy and/or the petition process, please contact Kirsten Dabelko, Global Health and Safety Manager (dabelko.4@osu.edu), Office of International Risk Management and Insurance.
External Resources
Conditions for Global Program Participation
You must meet all entry, exit, and visa requirements of your global education program destination, any countries while in transit, and the U.S. upon return, including but not limited to possessing a valid passport, obtaining the appropriate visa (if applicable), and providing proof of any required vaccinations (if applicable) and/or any testing requirements and other protocols (if applicable). Entry, exit, and visa requirements are established by each individual country and the Office of International Affairs, The Ohio State University and its visa provider, Travisa, have no control over visa denials, immigration and visa regulations, and/or any changes in the Embassies/Consulates’ policies. Please refer to travel.state.gov and the respective Embassy or Consulate websites for the most up to date travel information.
You can learn more about relevant conditions for participation through the Office of International Affairs website.
Jennifer Musser
Program Manager
Office of Global Business
Mason Hall 223
250 W. Woodruff Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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