Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute Goes International in Panama
When Matthew Capelle 鈥�27 ChE learned about a unique opportunity to spend the summer before his sophomore year not only earning a minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship, but also solving social impact problems on the ground in Panama, he jumped at the chance.
Capelle took part in the first international iteration of 草榴社区鈥檚 Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute (E2SI), an eight-week, 16-credit minor program open to all 草榴社区 undergraduate students, regardless of their major. During the first five weeks of the Summer 2024 program, students engaged in rigorous online entrepreneurship courses taught by esteemed faculty members. They studied the fundamental principles of startups, while simultaneously exploring novel business opportunities within the Panamanian economy. For the final three weeks, students lived and studied at the City of Knowledge, a modern international campus community outside Panama City, Panama. There, they tested and validated their business concepts for rural Panamanians, while also learning about Panamanian culture and international business.
鈥淎t its core, E2SI teaches students the principles of technology driven startup, but with an added emphasis on lifting Panamanian communities out of poverty,鈥� said Lauri Olivier, PhD, MBA, director of Engineering Entrepreneurship and associate professor of practice. 鈥淓2SI launched in 2018, but this was the first year we included an international component, and it was transformative. It was an immersive educational experience for the students, focused on meaningful and impactful work.鈥�
To prepare for their time in Panama, the cohort of 11 students broke into three teams and were tasked with developing a business venture to solve either an agri-tech or ecotourism problem impacting the Panamanian community. Capelle, along with Kris McAnally 鈥�26 CpE and Bradley Berde 鈥�27 CpE, formed the team Fresher Farming and identified a produce spoilage issue facing farmers.
鈥淢any Panamanian farmers live in the rural mountainous regions of the country and transport their crops to the city in the back of pickup trucks,鈥� said Capelle. 鈥淏ecause of a lack of cooling, up to 15% of their crops spoil before reaching the consumer. This is a major revenue loss for the farmers.鈥�
While in Panama, the Fresher Farming team met with local farmers and farm stand owners to test and validate the team鈥檚 understanding regarding their needs and challenges. In response, they invented an efficient and affordable cooling device that can be inserted into a wood pallet to prevent spoilage while produce is transported to market. Fresher Farming applied the skills and knowledge they learned during the online course component of the program to create a business venture concept and virtual prototype of the product.
鈥淓2SI was a new and exciting experience for me,鈥� said McAnally. 鈥淚t was my first time abroad and my first time learning about business. I now have a better understanding of the business world and what I can contribute to a company as an employee.鈥�
Berde added, 鈥淓2SI tapped into my creative and critical thinking skills, and pushed me in a way that I otherwise would never have experienced.鈥�
In addition to their venture development work, students were also immersed in the Panamian culture and learned about South American and international trade. They met with experts from the ProPanama Authority for the Promotion of Exports of Panama, as well as the Georgia Tech Panama Logistics Innovation and Research Center. They toured the Panama Canal and Biomuseo, Panama鈥檚 museum for biodiversity.
At the end of their time in Panama, each team pitched their startup ventures to a panel of local Panamanian and international experts. 鈥淭he Fresher Farming team created a product and plan that is feasible and could elevate the wages and standard of living for Panamanian farmers,鈥� said Dr. Olivier. 鈥淭he response to their pitch was overwhelmingly positive, and the team felt the impact of their work.鈥�
鈥淭he program created a confidence in me that I can achieve novel solutions and think independently and outside of the norms,鈥� said Capelle. 鈥淚t showed me how, as an engineer and an entrepreneur, I can create solutions that will help the world.鈥�
E2SI 2025 will return to Panama, with a new focus on creating business solutions for Panamanian coffee farmers. Participating students will spend a portion of their time in Boquete, Panama, a volcanic mountain town rich with coffee farms.
, with the program taking place May 27 through July 18, 2025.