BEX3725/BEX5725 Engaging with International Business- Porto, Portugal
BEX3725/BEX5725 Engaging with International Business- Porto, Portugal
About this program
Selected students will be enrolled in units BEX3725 or BEX5725 for the (T3-57) teaching period. This unit may count towards your postgraduate or undergraduate degree as a major, capstone, or elective unit.
This 15-day International Startup and Innovation Bootcamp is expertly designed and delivered by the European Innovation Academy (EIA), a global leader in tech entrepreneurship education. EIA partners with prestigious institutions such as Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and Google to provide a world-class entrepreneurial experience.
Hosted in Porto, Portugal, a rapidly growing hub for innovation and startups, the program offers students an enriched learning environment shaped by the city’s vibrant tech ecosystem and strong industry networks. This immersive experience gives students the resources, connections, and mentorship needed to transform ideas into successful ventures.
Throughout the program, students from around the world will collaborate in teams to navigate key stages of the entrepreneurial process, including:
- Discovery and Validation
- Marketing and Prototyping
- Product Sprint, Funding and Pitching
The intensive experience culminates in a live pitch session, where teams present their ideas to certified venture capitalists and angel investors.
Participants will benefit from daily keynotes and mentoring sessions led by industry experts and global leaders, gaining valuable insights into the startup ecosystem. With access to a rich network of mentors, speakers, and investors, and complemented by a comprehensive set of online materials, this program offers unparalleled support both during the event and beyond.
Note: this program conflicts with the first two weeks of semester 2 2026. Students who enrol in this unit are encouraged to communicate with the Chief Examiners of the units they enrol into for semester 2 and make suitable arrangements to ensure they are able to maintain engagement within the units.
Due to significant wait times, it is recommended that any student required to obtain a Schengen visa to participate on this study tour make an appointment with the relevant embassy when submitting their study tour application (even before an application outcome has been communicated).
Students are required to attend one in-person learning workshop prior to the trip departure. This is scheduled for Tuesday 7 July 2026. Details of this session will be published soon.
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| T3-57 | 2026 | 8-Mar-2026 | 19-Jul-2026 | 8-Aug-2026 |
| Information Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
| Awarded Credit Points | 06 |
| Program Type | GST - Global Study Tour |
| Program Duration | 20 days |
| Leading Faculty | Monash Business School |
| Minimum WAM | 60% |
| Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia |
| Minimum Credits Completed (at time of registration) | See 'How to Apply' tab |
| Funding Available | Monash Abroad Travel Grant |
Program cost
Program cost: $2500 AUD. Travel grants may be available from Monash Abroad for those meeting eligibility criteria.
Deposit payment: $1250 AUD non refundable deposit payable within 72 hours of receiving an offer to secure a place.
Final payment: $1250 AUD payable 19 April 2026
Program costs includes:
- Single room accommodation for the duration of the program
- Company and organisation visits
- Welcome and farewell functions
- Complimentary Monash University Travel Insurance for the duration of the tour and 15 days before and after the study tour dates
Program costs do not include:
- Monash University tuition fees for 6 credit points of study
- Return international airfares
- Visa costs (if required)
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation outside the program dates
- Meals not outlined in the itinerary
- Personal expenses and spending money.
Travel insurance
Complimentary Monash University travel insurance for the duration of the tour and 15 days either side of the study tour dates
If you are an actively enrolled Monash student and participating in an approved international program, you will be provided with complimentary travel insurance. You will automatically be covered once your application has been approved and your enrolment updated to reflect your study overseas.
Under this policy, travellers will also receive access to 24/7 emergency assistance provided by Global 24 Emergency Assistance and limited coverage for personal travel days.
Visas
Centrelink support documents
For the purposes of maintaining your Centrelink benefits during your overseas program, Monash Abroad can produce a letter confirming your participation in a study tour. Please note that this will be issued to you once you have completed all Monash Abroad requirements and are approved for travel.
Important Note:
The Monash Abroad Travel Grant and OS-HELP loan (if applicable) will be paid approximately 2-4 weeks prior to program commencement and only when all Monash Abroad requirements are completed by you. Therefore, these funds should not be considered as your primary source of funding to pay program related deposits and balances.
Monash Abroad Travel Grant
Monash students studying in Australia who are enrolled into a credit-bearing unit for this program will be assessed for eligibility to receive a Monash Abroad travel grant if they are not otherwise receiving any other scholarship that is intended to cover most or all of your travel/tuition costs for your program (e.g., New Colombo Plan Mobility grant).
You do not need to apply separately for this grant as your eligibility for this grant will be assessed as part of your application.
OS-HELP Loan
OS-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan program that provides financial assistance to eligible Commonwealth Supported Place students, to undertake some of their study overseas.
If you are eligible for the loan and wish to apply, please submit your application as per the relevant OS-HELP loan term deadline, even if you have not been accepted into your overseas program by that deadline.
Student Loans
If you need help with study-related expenses, please refer to the student loans website and talk to a student adviser at Monash Connect.
Travel Scholarships
Please refer to the travel and placements scholarship website for more information.
Eligibility
Undergraduate applicants
- Minimum WAM of 60% or above
- Completion of at least 72 credit points at the time of application
Graduate applicants
- Minimum WAM of 60% or above
- Completion of at least 24 credit points at the time of application
Selection criteria
This program is open to currently enrolled Monash University Australia students only.
Applicants must submit:
- A personal pitch video (maximum 2.5 minutes)
- An up-to-date resume/CV
The pitch video must include these following questions:
- Self-introduction
- How would this program/unit add value to your degree?
- Why do you wish to take part in this program?
- What is your interest in innovation and entrepreneurship?
Please submit your supporting documentation (CV, video, etc) via a Google Drive link and ensure permission settings are set to Monash University. Then upload this link to the Personal Statement field of your application.
Selection is competitive and will be based on:
- Overall WAM at the time of application
- Strength of your personal pitch video
How to apply
Step 1: Submit an application for this program
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Step 2: Selection and enrolment
The Monash Business School will review all applicants after the deadline to assess eligibility to participate in this overseas. Please note that this generally takes two weeks after applications have closed.
Step 3: Enrolment and travel approval
If you are accepted into the program, you will be issued with an outcome email and you will be enrolled into the associated unit. You will also receive an email alert with additional Monash Abroad tasks for you to complete:
- Passport and Medical Details form
- Travel Approval Request Form
- Mandatory pre-departure module.
Once you have completed these tasks, Monash Abroad will approve you for travel. You will then have access to the travel insurance coverage and be issued with any relevant grants, loans and/or scholarships.
Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.
Program contacts
For all enquiries, please contact Monash Connect and flag for attention to Global Programs and Partnerships.
Itinerary*
7 July 2026 – Pre-departure Workshop (Compulsory)
- 6-hour in-person workshop
- Monash Caulfield campus
13–19 July 2026 – Online Pre-Week
- Access to the online learning platform before the program begins
- Connect with fellow participants
- Students must arrive in Porto, Portugal by 19 July 2026
- Check into accommodation in preparation for the program start
Week 1: Discovery and Validation
20–24 July 2026
- Build essential teamwork and collaboration skills
- Identify a real-world problem worth solving
- Define a target market
- Validate ideas through customer interviews
25–26 July 2026 – Free Time
- Free time to explore Porto, Portugal
Week 2: Marketing and Prototyping
27–31 July 2026
- Learn prototyping techniques for problem-solving
- Design a strong and scalable business model
- Prepare a marketing campaign
- Create a high-converting landing page
- Develop content for a product launch
1–2 August 2026 – Free Time
- Free time to explore Porto, Portugal
Week 3: Funding, Pitching and Product Sprint
3–7 August 2026
- Build the first working version of a product or service
- Explore patent potential and intellectual property basics
- Establish key financial indicators
- Learn about funding pathways and pitching to investors
8 August 2026 – Program Conclusion
- Check out of accommodation
- Program concludes
*This is a sample program only and is subject to change. Successful participants will be provided with a finalised itinerary.