M²GATE Program

Overview

The MENA-Michigan Initiative for Global Action Through Entrepreneurship (M²GATE) program brought together more than 400 students from five Michigan university campuses and their peers in Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. Harnessing the power of virtual exchange, students collaborated to find entrepreneurial solutions to social challenges in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, while learning new skills, building cross-cultural experiences and forging new relationships.

Designed and managed by the William Davidson Institute throughout 2017-2019, M²GATE introduced U.S. and MENA students to each other to work in virtual teams. These teams worked virtually to develop social entrepreneurship projects and accompanying pitches. Students developed their business concepts over an eight-week period with the help of instructors, mentors and successful entrepreneurs. Judges determined the winning team from each of the three cohorts. Three winning teams then participated in a pitch competition at the University of Michigan.

The program was funded by the Stevens Initiative, an international effort to build global competence and career readiness skills for young people in the United States, the Middle East and North Africa. The initiative honors the legacy of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, who devoted his life to building bridges between people from different cultures. The Stevens Initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Aspen Institute. The Stevens Initiative is also supported by the Bezos Family Foundation and the governments of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

Watch the video or read our Impact Report: Building Bridges Through Virtual Collaboration to learn more.

M2GATE partner logos (from left to right) USAID, U.S. Department of State, the Stevens Initiative and The Aspen Institute

The Stevens Initiative is also supported by the Bezos Family Foundation and the governments of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

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