To do so, the University created the Jorge Manuel Dengo
O. Entrepreneurial Projects Program, in which all students
develop and operate a business venture during their first
three years at EARTH.What makes our program unique?
It gives students a meaningful opportunity for experiential
learning about entrepreneurship that few institutions in
the world offer. Even at business schools, most programs
never offer students a chance to move beyond the
planning and feasibility stages of a project. In the program.
•
Students must work in multicultural and mixed-
gender teams to form a company;
•
The company receives a loan from the University,
with financial incentives awarded to innovative projects
and to those with a positive environmental and social
impact;
•
Student groups share two thirds of the profits,
returning one third of the profits to a revolving fund from
that will finance future projects;
•
Students learn about ethical business practices,
and ethical behavior forms part of their overall grade.
Commenting on his recent creation of two micro-
businesses in his home community, EARTH alumnus
Marbin Acosta (’09, Colombia) affirms, “The
Entrepreneurial Projects Program at EARTH has served
me very well.”
“
I have learned to make difficult decisions.
At the end of my studies at EARTH, I want
to have my own company.”
Sharmely Hilares
(‘13,
Peru)
Her company, Mizava, produced a
profitable frozen coffee beverage.
A gift to the Jorge Manuel Dengo O.
Entrepreneurial Projects Program is an
investment in job creation and prosperity for
communities throughout the developing world.
ABOUT 20 % OF ALUMNI ARE BUSINESS
OWNERS AND THOSE WITH MORE
THAN 10 YEARS SINCE GRADUATION
HAVE CREATED AN AVERAGE OF FOUR
JOBS PER GRADUATE.