By Aubrey Haase
Michigan State University students are stepping up to tackle the climate crisis by joining the Climate Entrepreneurship Exchange, a global initiative connecting undergraduates with the tools, mentorship, and resources to address environmental challenges through innovation.
The program offers MSU students the unique opportunity to collaborate with peers from four Michigan universities and North African nations, fostering cross-cultural exchange while developing entrepreneurial solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
Hosted by the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan and funded by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative, the Climate Entrepreneurship Exchange unites students from Michigan State University, Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, and institutions in Egypt, Morocco, and Libya.
“This program provides MSU students with a platform to explore bold ideas and collaborate with global leaders on climate innovation,” said Laurel Ofstein, Faculty Director at the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “We’re excited to see how Spartans will rise to this challenge, develop skills and create solutions that have the potential to drive lasting environmental impact.”
The Climate Entrepreneurship Exchange empowers students through virtual, hands-on workshops and real-time collaboration with peers and experts worldwide. Students can choose one of four eight-week sessions where participants will delve into the intricacies of climate change, engage in cross-cultural learning, and develop innovative project pitches. The experience culminates in an exciting pitch competition, where top teams secure a weeklong, immersive trip to Morocco in August 2026 to further explore entrepreneurship and climate solutions.
For undergraduate Spartans interested in making a global impact, the application deadline for the first cohort has been extended to early January. To apply and learn more about the Climate Entrepreneurship Exchange, visit William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan.