Applications for the 2019 Summer Program are now open!

January 14, 2019

At its founding edition, this Summer California Innovation will lead 25 selected international students through a journey throughout the State of California to discover the stories of innovative manufacturers that every day strive to create the best products in their industries.

Globally recognized as a digital tech outpost, California is also the state responsible for the largest manufacturing output in the US. Today, it’s experiencing an artisanal manufacturing renaissance in sectors like food, wine, textile and industrial design. As men and women in the Golden State turn their attention to these highly specialized industries, they are bringing the same progressive spirit that they brought to tech in order to revolutionize them.

The California Innovation Program is a fully-immersive learning experience that will offer an unprecedented exploration into this phenomena occurring in the world’s fifth largest economy. To investigate how exposure to this dynamic environment drives businesses to push the boundaries of traditional manufacturing, participants will meet with the land’s manufacturing entrepreneurs—leaders of Made by California who dare to construct new possibilities for industries. They will also take a behind-the-scenes look at manufacturing processes to get deeper industry knowledge.

The program, which will be held in San Francisco from July 22 to August 9, will expose its participants to mentorship sessions led by international business and thought leaders and project works designed in collaboration with innovative manufacturers.

The faculty include forward thinking professionals like Nick Foster, Head of Industrial Design of Google X, Julian Bleecker CEO at Omata, Vincent Stanley and Nora Gallagher which are respectively Head of Philosophy and Environmental Editor at Patagonia. On the academic side, Professor Stewart Thornhill, Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Ross School of Business will discuss innovation principles and frameworks for the manufacturing sector. The program include also a rich group of visits and conversations inside company HQ, like Charles Krug Winery, Patagonia, Verve Coffee Roasters, American Giant and Dandelion Chocolate, which will be introduced and guided by Elizabeth Segran, staff writer at Fast Company.

The application process is structured in two rounds, with an early deadline on 15th February 2019 and the regular deadline on 29th March 2019.

Scholarships are available for early applicants.