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:
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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.
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Explore how social entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems operate across different countries and markets.
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Gain exposure to the role of social venture capital in funding and scaling early-stage ventures.
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Collaborate in teams to develop and refine a startup concept addressing a real-world need.
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Engage in creative problem-solving activities that make entrepreneurship fun, social, and energizing.
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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
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Strong aptitude for critical thinking, problem solving.
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Genuine interest in cross-cultural communication.
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Demonstrated intellectual curiosity - are they pursuing interests outside of what is readily available to them.
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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
