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Summer is heating up with opportunities to connect, create, and compete. From student-led pop up shops to globe entrepreneurship programs and pitch competitions, there's something for every innovator. Stay tuned and stay inspired. We're just getting started!

This summer, I’ll be leading a group of students to Porto, Portugal to take part in EIA 2025, the European Innovation Academy, one of the most impactful and globally recognized entrepreneurship programs in the world.

EIA isn’t your typical study abroad or summer program. It’s a fast paced, immersive, 15 day accelerator where students from around the globe come together to build startups from scratch. They form diverse, cross functional teams and work alongside mentors from Silicon Valley, Europe, Asia, and beyond, all with the goal of taking an idea from concept to pitch in just two weeks.

I’ve led students to this program before in Turin, Italy, and it’s hard to fully explain how transformational it is. It pushes students outside their comfort zones. It challenges them to think differently, collaborate across cultures, adapt, lead, and learn. We’ve had students pitch in the finals, win awards, and walk away with new ventures, global networks, and a renewed sense of possibility.

Here’s what’s in store for Porto 2025:

✅ 400+ students from around the world
✅ Immersive experience in the local culture and cuisine
✅ Daily mentoring from global innovation leaders
✅ A crash course in real world entrepreneurship

For those of us passionate about building the next generation of globally minded, entrepreneurial leaders, this is the kind of program that makes an impact far beyond the classroom.

This summer, follow us on our CEI social media accounts as our students who are participating in this experience will take over and share their incredible journey overseas.

Shorouq Almallah, MIS, MBA
Director, Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

I’ve always had a vision of studying abroad. But like many people, I used to overthink the process. Figuring out what I wanted to study, whether the right program existed, how to find funding, and where to go, it all felt overwhelming. So for a while, it remained just a vision in the back of my mind.

My entrepreneurial journey officially began in my sophomore year, and ever since, ideas have been flowing. I developed my business further and competed in my first pitch competition during junior year. That is also when I got involved with the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) , which opened the door to a lot of exciting new opportunities. 

The day I was invited to this program, I was ready to say yes on the spot, and I did, even before knowing all the details! As a General Business major and emerging entrepreneur, I’m most excited to learn new business strategies and apply, hands-on, what I’ve been learning in the classroom. I’m also thrilled to meet and connect with over 400 students from around the world. I look forward to immersing myself in a new culture, observing how people live and work day to day, and yes, even experiencing a different kind of air.

This will be my first time traveling to another country, so I’m excited for everything: the environment, the people, and especially the food (which, to be honest, has been on my mind a lot!).

Naturally, I'm feeling nervous. I’ve never been on a flight longer than two hours, so the long travel time is a bit daunting. I’m also slightly nervous about the competitive aspect of the program. That said, I think those feelings are completely normal, and they are far outweighed by my excitement for the experience ahead. 

This journey is an important milestone for me, and I cannot wait to see where it leads.

Qualia Parker
Student Entrepreneur| General Business Major
Founder of Qdiditt

The Van Andel Global Trade Center has launched a new Tariff Dashboard to help businesses stay informed on U.S. trade policy updates. With evolving regulations and shifting tariffs especially with key trade partners like China, Canada, and Mexico this dashboard offers guidance on how changes may impact your business.

Whether you’re looking for updates on specific products, country-level tariffs, or general trade agreements, this tool is designed to support smarter, more strategic international business decisions.

Got 100 seconds? That’s all it takes to apply for Start Garden’s “The 100” Pitch Competition — Michigan’s largest no-strings-attached funding opportunity for entrepreneurs.

Whether you’re an experienced founder or just have an idea in your notes app, this is your chance to turn that vision into reality.

What to Know:

This competition is all about access, opportunity, and helping new entrepreneurs take their first leap.