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Student Innovation Programs Through Lehigh West Coast

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Lehigh operates entrepreneurial and experiential learning programs such as LehighSiliconValley, Startup Academy, Innovation Internship, and the Silicon Valley Social Impact Fellowship—designed to provide students with hands-on immersion in the Bay Area innovation ecosystem. These programs have served hundreds of students from more than 78 disciplines across Lehigh and have led to more than 1,300 students securing internships and full-time roles with startups and major tech/consulting firms such as Netflix, Salesforce, Google, Meta, and Accenture. By bridging Lehigh’s interdisciplinary excellence with the pace, ingenuity, and ethos of Silicon Valley and the Western U.S., these academic experiences cultivate globally minded leaders who innovate with purpose—and act with impact.

Student Programs

Innovation Internship
The Innovation Internship provides high-impact, remote internships with startups and innovation-focused organizations across the United States. Designed for students eager to explore entrepreneurship, product innovation, or social impact ventures, the program integrates professional development with experiential learning. Participants gain valuable insights and contribute meaningfully to forward-thinking teams, regardless of location.
Startup Academy
Offered through Lehigh’s College of Business, Startup Academy offers a transformative summer experience in the heart of Silicon Valley. Students live and work together in the Bay Area while interning at pioneering startups. Surrounded by a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, students take on impactful projects, learn from industry leaders, and accelerate their entrepreneurial careers through practical, high-level engagement in startup environments.
Silicon Valley Social Impact Fellowship
Impact Fellows are a selective, cross-disciplinary cohort of Lehigh students tackling sustainable development challenges in low-resource and middle-income communities worldwide. Fellows earn six academic credits by advancing multi-year projects during the academic year and engaging in faculty-guided summer fieldwork with local partners. Through courses, workshops, and immersive experiences, they integrate research, experiential learning, and entrepreneurial engagement.
LehighSiliconValley
The Baker Institute's flagship week-long winter term program immersing students in the San Francisco Bay Area entrepreneurial ecosystem. Earn 3 credits over winter break and spend one immersive week connecting with founders, CEOs, investors, and alumni who are helping to shape the world. The program's success lies in its dual approach: inspiring participants to dream bigger while facilitating meaningful connections with accomplished entrepreneurs in intimate settings.