Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S. (SEUS) is an online program offered through the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) to high school students in the United States. The application cycle for the Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S. summer course will open on March 1, 2026. This article will briefly explore the purpose of the course and include comments from several participants.

The generous support of anonymous donors enables SPICE to offer SEUS free of charge to its participants. The student-centered format of SEUS represents a meaningful effort to help bridge Stanford scholarship with students from different backgrounds, including those who may never have experienced programs like this before.

SEUS Instructor, Dr. Makiko Hirata, refers to SEUS as a “journey of co-learning…to co-create the most meaningful learning experience for everyone by honing our ability to communicate and to collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.” She notes that students “will consider entrepreneurship very broadly, asking questions about each of our responsibilities and rights as global citizens, and how to increase our efficacy to effect change to create a better future for all beings.” SEUS treats entrepreneurship as a practice: to notice what moves you, sit with complexity, listen across differences, and turn reflection into meaningful actions.

Lessons begin with several days of exchanges among the students via an online discussion board and collaborative group projects, after which, in a live virtual class, SEUSers engage directly with guest speakers with decades of experience at Stanford, Silicon Valley, and beyond.

SEUS’ inaugural session—co-created by 22 students representing 16 states and regions from Puerto Rico to Hawaii—started in November 2025. Comments from several of those students appear below.

“Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S. has not only given me the opportunity to learn about social entrepreneurship and deepen my understanding of social issues, but also about different perspectives from all across the U.S. This course taught me many things that I can apply in real-life situations.” —Alua C., TX

“SEUS pushes me to think more critically, listen with intention, and consider perspectives far beyond my own...[It] has strengthened my confidence as a communicator and helped me understand how collaboration and reflection can lead to real change.” —Rihanna E., PR

“I’ve appreciated the experiences our guest speakers bring, reflecting on the journey that took them to where they are today. With AI threatening many industries, it’s more important than ever to observe how our guest speakers and their respective industries/fields are actively growing alongside it.” —Valerie B., IN

“SEUS has challenged me to put my utmost effort into every assignment… Building critical thinking is like exercising a muscle, and SEUS has cultivated my critical thinking like no exercise I had ever done before.” —Alex C., TN

“SPICE created a place where learning felt collaborative and respectful and profoundly human... SEUS would have a tremendous influence on any high school students who are curious, open-minded, and want to grow… because it fosters that type of connection, critical thinking, and global understanding in a big way.” —Chloe K., NV

Dr. Hirata noted that “The exchanges in class have truly brought the best out of these already motivated and ambitious high school students. I hope that many high school students will consider applying for the Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S. summer course and that such exchanges continue.”

For updates and application details, please visit the SEUS page on the SPICE website or sign up for announcements.

Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S. is one of several online courses offered by SPICE.

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