Transatlantic Entrepreneurship Academy 2025: Fostering Innovation in Sustainability

The Transatlantic Entrepreneurship Academy (TEA), a partnership between Montclair State University and the University of Graz, Austria, took place on our campus from February 14th to 20th. This immersive program aligns with our strategic priority of experiential learning, offering students hands-on, international exposure to sustainability, green innovation, and entrepreneurial approaches to ecological challenges.

Twenty Montclair State students joined 20 Austrian peers for a week of collaborative problem-solving in areas such as mobility, energy, and waste. Working in cross-cultural teams, students developed innovative strategies through a structured process of trend analysis, systems evaluation, and strategic planning.

The program also included site visits to places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Prime Produce co-working space, and Iron Bound Farm, showcasing real-world applications of sustainable business models. The week concluded with team presentations to outside experts, offering critical feedback to refine students’ projects.

As part of the program, students and faculty spent the Spring Break week in Austria, where they continued to develop their innovative ideas in real-world contexts.