*Photo credit to Hagit Caspi
Global Social Entrepreneurship Pre-Collegiate Summer Program
About
The Global Social Entrepreneurship Summer Camp is an immersive, hands-on program designed for high school students who want to understand how new social impact ventures are created, financed, and scaled in a global economy. The program introduces students to core concepts in innovation, venture capital, startup strategy, while emphasizing teamwork, creativity, cross-cultural communication, social impact, and critical perspectives.
What to Expect
Participants will:
-
Learn foundational skills in identifying real customer problems in a developing country, designing cost-effective solutions, developing a go-to-market strategy, and crafting a compelling social impact narrative for investors.
-
Explore how social entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems operate across different countries and markets.
-
Gain exposure to the role of social venture capital in funding and scaling early-stage ventures.
-
Collaborate in teams to develop and refine a startup concept addressing a real-world need.
-
Engage in creative problem-solving activities that make entrepreneurship fun, social, and energizing.
-
Hone their public speaking skills and present their social venture idea at a final Demo Day, receiving feedback from judges.
Who can apply
Characteristics of a Successful Applicant
-
Strong aptitude for critical thinking, problem solving.
-
Genuine interest in cross-cultural communication.
-
Demonstrated intellectual curiosity - are they pursuing interests outside of what is readily available to them.
-
Rising juniors and seniors who have taken government, economics, world history, and social studies courses. Advanced math and science courses are a plus, but not required.
Professor Bio
Professor Crystal Chang has taught in UC Berkeley’s Global Studies and Political Economy programs for 13 years. She developed this summer program out of her popular upper-division course, POLECON 156: Silicon Valley and the Global Economy, where students study the region’s history, meet alumni working across the tech sector, and compete in a startup pitch challenge. Professor Chang holds degrees from Stanford University, UC San Diego, and UC Berkeley. Before entering academia, she spent several years in venture capital and the high-tech industry in both Silicon Valley and Shanghai.
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Final Student Presentations in Professor Chang's Class
Aneek S.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"I really enjoyed the friendships and the program's environment. I got a hint of what college life feels like. I felt like I learned a lot while also having a great time."
Angel C.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"I really appreciate this opportunity to meet friends from different countries. I also gained 4 lbs from all the delicious boba and matcha shops around Berkeley."
Mark Y.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"The experiences and lessons I gained from this program extended my knowledge and understanding of being an entrepreneur. The people I met in the program mark a unique chapter in my life. I’m also glad that I had an opportunity to get to know the UC Berkeley campus."
Ranvijay S.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"Meeting amazing, successful people like Professor Naeem Zafar and Paul Bryzek was a rare opportunity. The program has taught me so many valuable lessons that will stay with me forever and doubled my range of abilities with all the cool things we learned. I am so glad I came!"
Elizur F.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"This program has taught me so much about public speaking while also balancing fun. There are so many great people I never would have met had I not done this program."
Nithya P.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"This program taught me the importance of starting an enterprise for the purpose of helping others. I was inspired by Paul Bryzek, who taught our class about his social venture and his goal to help our environment."
Nandi Z.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"This program taught me a lot about social entrepreneurship. We learned what it is and got to know more through specific examples like Zipline and Loowatt. It was such a pleasure to meet entrepreneurs like Mr. Paul Bryzek and hear about how he thinks about climate change. We also got to meet Professor Naeem Zafar."
Gani K.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"This program showed me the importance of helping my community, especially those who may be less fortunate than me. I also loved meeting so many new people, including Professor Naeem Zafar, and making lifelong friendships with other students."
Mikhail S.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"I will never forget the importance of public speaking and communication in trying to convince others to invest in me and my ideas. Listening to inspirational guest speakers like Paul Bryzek and Naeem Zafar, as well as our instructor, Crystal Chang, has educated me in how to lead and organize startups and to take advantage of my strengths as an entrepreneur."
Taneesh T.
Global Social Entrepreneurship ‘26
"I liked the program because I got to learn more about how to create a business and meet new friends."