TEA
Transatlantic Entrepreneurship Academy (Graz - Montclair/NYC)
The Transatlantic Entrepreneurship Academy (TEA) is an international entrepreneurship and innovation program offered by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Applied Business Administration at the University of Graz in collaboration with Montclair State University in the United States.
This year, 15 students from the University of Graz will have the opportunity to participate in TEA alongside 15 students from Montclair State University.
The program is open to students from all fields of study and brings together diverse academic, personal, and cultural perspectives.
TEA focuses on the question of how radically new forms of innovation can emerge.
Participants learn to consciously question existing assumptions and familiar ways of thinking, to adopt different perspectives, and to engage with situations where the right path or outcome is not yet clear. Instead of rushing to find solutions, new and unexpected possibilities are explored, developed, and tested. It is precisely this conscious detachment from existing assumptions and the pursuit of unintended possibilities that forms a central component of the TEA approach. In this context, innovation in TEA also means tolerating uncertainty and using it productively. Students observe, reflect, experiment to discover how people, organizations, and systems respond to new approaches. This can give rise to opportunities that were not yet foreseeable at the start of the innovation process.
A significant part of the learning takes place outside the traditional classroom. Encounters with entrepreneurs, changemakers, artists, and other extraordinary individuals, visits to companies and organizations, as well as experiences in art, culture, the city, and nature are purposefully integrated into the learning and innovation process.
TEA isn’t about finding the right answer as quickly as possible. It’s about learning to ask new questions, challenging the status quo, and being open to where an innovation process might lead.
Teaching programme:
TEA is a course worth 5 ECTS credits.
The program consists of two intensive weeks—one in Montclair, New York, and New Jersey, and one in Graz and Styria—as well as preparatory and accompanying in-person and online sessions. Working in transatlantic teams, students continue to develop their perspectives and approaches over the course of several months.
During the program, students work in transatlantic teams on complex social, economic, and environmental issues. In doing so, they engage in an open innovation process in which existing assumptions are questioned, new perspectives are developed, and potential approaches are continuously refined through observation, feedback, reflection, and experimentation.
A particular focus is placed on the ability to deal productively with uncertainty and differing perspectives. Not every task has a clear-cut solution, and it is not always clear from the outset where the process will lead. The willingness to embrace this openness and to endure periods of uncertainty is an essential part of the TEA experience. This openness is deliberately incorporated into the course materials: Students should not rush back to “solution thinking,” but rather continue to explore differences and unanswered questions.
Due to the intensive nature of the collaboration, participants are expected to be fully available from early morning until evening during the two intensive weeks.
November 25, 2026, 3:00–5:00 p.m. – Kick-off Meeting
Getting to know the Austrian participants, organizational information, formalities, and travel planning.
January 20, 2027, 3:00–5:00 p.m. – Preparatory Workshop
Introduction to TEA, preparation for America Week, and an initial exploration of the program’s unique approach to innovation.
February 12–18, 2027 – America Week: Montclair / New York / New Jersey
The first intensive week serves as the starting point for the collaborative innovation process. Existing assumptions are challenged, different perspectives are explored, and new avenues for thought and action are opened up. Workshops and teamwork are combined with extraordinary locations, encounters, and experiences in New York and New Jersey.
Between the intensive weeks – Bridge Phase
The teams reflect on their experiences to date and external feedback and continue to develop their approaches. Feedback should be used to refine the approach without finalizing it prematurely.
March 6, 2027–March 11, 2027 – Graz Week: Graz / Styria
During the second intensive week, the approaches developed will be further refined through discussions, observations, experiments, and so-called “probes.” Students will examine where new approaches could have an impact, which stakeholders are relevant to this, and how change can emerge step by step from a new perspective. The goal is to develop concrete tools, systems, or methods of implementation based on the perspectives developed earlier.
March 17, 2027 – TEA 2027 Closing
Joint conclusion and reflection on the TEA experience.
The University of Graz covers a significant portion of the costs of the TEA program.
In particular, the university covers the costs of lodging during the intensive week in the U.S., as well as major expenses for meals, local transportation, program activities, events, and workshops during the two intensive weeks in the U.S. and Austria.
Participants are required to pay a contribution toward expenses of 150€.
Participants are responsible for organizing and financing their own travel to and from the U.S. The cost of the flight is not included in the program.
Any additional personal expenses outside the official program must also be covered by the participants.
Places for TEA are very limited, and the program receives substantial financial support from the University of Graz. In the event of unjustified absence or withdrawal from the program, the costs incurred by the university may be charged to the participants on a pro-rata basis.
Application for TEA 2027
There are 15 spots available for students at the University of Graz for TEA 2027.
TEA is open to students from all fields of study who are curious to explore new perspectives, collaborate with people from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, and engage in an open innovation process whose outcome is not yet determined at the outset.
Prior experience in entrepreneurship is not required. Much more important are curiosity, openness, the ability to reflect, teamwork skills, and a willingness to question one’s own assumptions and to engage with unfamiliar or uncertain situations.
To apply, please complete the online application form and upload a current resume.
Application deadline: October 31, 202
Notification of selected participants: November 18, 2026
Click here to apply
Participation in all mandatory sessions as well as both intensive weeks is a prerequisite for admission to the program.
