Program Profile

Education For Employment

Intercontinental Innovators: Entrepreneurial Approaches to Cross-Cultural Challenges

  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Young Adult

Education For Employment’s (EFE) Intercontinental Innovators: Entrepreneurial Approaches to Cross-Cultural Challenges empowers emerging entrepreneurs from Morocco and the United States, stimulating entrepreneurial spirit and fostering long-term international collaboration between the entrepreneurial ecosystems of participating countries. Following entrepreneurship training, binational teams collaborate on a solution-oriented business concept addressing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A “Virtual Junior Incubator” provides the binational teams with online workplace and tutoring to refine their business concepts, and the program culminates in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition in which the teams share their business plans before a panel of judges. The program also includes virtual site visits that showcase potential areas for economic collaboration between Morocco and the U.S., as well as a mentorship program guided by experienced mentors in the global entrepreneurship space, which is offered to a subset of participants.

Activities

The program begins with entrepreneurship skills building, where participants receive training from EFE-Maroc and The College of Wooster, learning to recognize their entrepreneurial potential and develop their business ideas. The entrepreneurship virtual exchange component allows participants to collaborate in groups and develop business ideas addressing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. A virtual junior incubator provides resources and tutoring via a Zoom co-working space, culminating in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition before a panel of judges. Participants also engage in workshops and virtual town hall meetings with successful entrepreneurs. Virtual site visits offer participants a broader understanding of various sectors and opportunities for U.S.-Moroccan economic collaboration. Finally, a mentorship component connects participants with experienced entrepreneurs for personalized guidance. Throughout the program, participants develop key technical and soft skills, gain insights into different cultures and business practices, and foster a deeper understanding of values and leadership.

Program Details

Number of Participants

245

U.S. States and Territories Reached
  • District of Columbia
  • Ohio
Countries and Territories Reached
  • Morocco
Length of Exchange

10 weeks (two to three hours of synchronous activity/week)

Education for Employment’s Intercontinental Innovators: Entrepreneurial Approaches to Cross-Cultural Challenges is funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute and is supported by the government of Morocco.