Academic Bridges

About

Academic Bridges was founded on a dream to bring academics from around the world to solve big problems. The idea is that if student-leaders from various under-resourced nations and communities came to the Silicon Valley, we could impart to them the entrepreneurial and creative visionary gifts that uniquely reside in the Valley while they would bring their unique piece of the puzzle. Building radical connections would enable a whole new level of problem-solving not seen in the world previously. These students would be mentored and educated in leadership skills that are often times not built into their home country curriculum. They could return to their countries and communities with renewed vision and vigor to begin to make substantive change.

The inaugural Summer 2019, we brought an initial group of ten students from Morocco and Mozambique to Silicon Valley for this unique program in. These students were selected because of their leadership skills, economic need, and scholastic aptitude. Mentors were assigned to walk the journey with them to provide coaching and assistance along the way.

With the current world events and travel restrictions, we are looking to build bridges within the United States. In 2022, we hope to work with a cohort of 40 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions.