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Flagship program · California, USA
ABC Silicon Valley
Two weeks where the world's biggest ideas were born.
4–17 July 20272 weeksSan José State UniversityOn campusLimited to 35 participantsFrom €3,900 Early Bird
Early Bird · until 1 Dec 2026
€3,900
€4,900 · save €1000
€279 per day · Early Bird tuition
Limited to 35 participants
Applications close 31 May 2027
What's included
Learning: Lectures & workshops, Guest speakers, Demo Day pitch
Access: Company visits, San Francisco trip, Networking events
Living: Campus housing, Welcome package, 24/7 support
After the program: Certificate, Alumni network
01Location
Why Silicon Valley is the world's innovation hub
Stretching from San José to the edge of San Francisco, Silicon Valley turned a region of orchards into the place where the personal computer, the search engine, the smartphone and today's AI boom took shape. Few places on earth combine this much talent, capital and ambition within a short drive.
- 01
Birthplace of modern tech
Named after the silicon chips first made here, the Valley gave rise to semiconductors, personal computers and the internet economy.
- 02
Global venture capital centre
Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park is home to many of the world's best-known venture capital firms, and the Bay Area attracts a large share of all US startup investment.
- 03
World-class universities
Stanford, UC Berkeley and San José State University feed a constant flow of engineers, researchers and founders into the ecosystem.
- 04
A culture of starting up
Garage startups, accelerators and serial founders make it normal to test an idea, fail fast and try again.
One valley. Countless icons.
Tech giants based in the Valley
Within roughly an hour's drive of your campus, the companies that shape how the world works, talks and creates.
Legendary investors & acceleratorsY CombinatorSequoia CapitalAndreessen HorowitzKleiner PerkinsPlug and Play500 Global…and thousands of startups
02Program content
From opportunity to elevator pitch
The program combines three core learning formats with a full calendar of networking, social and cultural experiences.
01
Lectures
Expert-led sessions on innovation, startups and entrepreneurship.
02
Guest speaker sessions
Founders, investors and industry leaders share real stories.
03
Company visits
Go inside leading tech companies and accelerators in the Valley.
Networking events & opportunities
Meet entrepreneurs, mentors and peers from 30+ countries and build connections that last.
Social & cultural events
Explore California with your cohort through outings, cultural activities and evenings together.
Core modules
Generating brilliant ideas
Move from a broad challenge to possible solutions through creative teamwork.
Your team's initial concept
Perfecting your brilliant ideas
Refine the concept, its audience and the value it could deliver.
A focused value proposition
Proving your ideas are brilliant
Challenge assumptions and build the case for your idea.
An evidence-informed argument
Pitching your brilliant ideas
Shape your story, practise delivery and prepare for the Elevator Pitch Competition.
Your own elevator pitch
Final pitch
Work with your team on an idea and present it in the program's pitch competition.
A day in the program
Example day · Week 1
09:00
Morning
Lecture with the lead instructor
At San José State University: innovation, startups and how the Valley works.
13:00
Midday
Masterclass with a local founder
Real lessons on building a company, plus open Q&A with your cohort.
15:30
Afternoon
Company visit to an accelerator
See how startups are selected, mentored and funded, right where it happens.
Who can join?
For curious, ambitious people ready to explore innovation ecosystems and experience the Silicon Valley mindset firsthand.
Ambitious students
Connect your studies with the world of startups and innovation.
Young entrepreneurs
Explore new perspectives on starting and growing a business.
Professionals changing direction
Discover fresh ideas for your next career chapter.
People building something
Bring your idea, project or business and broaden your thinking.
A conversation before acceptance
An interview with the ABC team is required before the admissions board makes the final acceptance decision.
35
participants per cohort
03Instructors
Learn from people who build in the Valley
One lead instructor guides you through every day, joined by 10+ guest speakers who build and invest in the Valley right now.
Lead instructor · every day
Laszlo Gyorffy, M.S.
Founder, LBG Innovate · Silicon Valley
Laszlo is the founder of LBG Innovate, an international consulting and training firm headquartered in Silicon Valley. For over 27 years he has helped organizations innovate faster, smarter and with greater impact.
- Former VP of Global Services, IdeaScale
- President, Enterprise Development Group
- Former Manager, Deloitte US
- Certified instructional designer & trainer
Co-author of Creating Value with CO-STAR & Global Innovation Science Handbook
Trained teams at
World-class organizations
…and many more organizations across media, energy, tech, finance and healthcare.
Guest speakers · new each cohort
10+
guest speakers & mentors
Each cohort meets new speakers, chosen close to departure so you hear from people building in the Valley right now, not last year's line-up.
- 01
Founders & startup leaders
Hear how they went from idea to funded company.
- 02
Big Tech professionals
Product, engineering and strategy people from leading tech companies.
- 03
Investors & accelerator mentors
Learn what VCs and accelerators look for in a pitch.
- 04
Alumni & scaleup builders
Former participants and fast-growing teams share what worked, what failed and what's next.
The final speaker line-up is shared with participants before the program starts.
04Outcomes
How you'll grow in two weeks
Clear skills, real proof and a stronger you: here is exactly what you develop.
Knowledge
What you'll learn
- How Silicon Valley companies innovate
- Turning a problem into a startup idea
- Business models and product-market fit
- How judges and investors evaluate a pitch
Professional growth
Skills you'll develop
- Validating ideas with real customers
- Pitching clearly and convincingly
- Working in fast international teams
- Thinking like a founder at work
Personal growth
How you'll grow
- Confidence presenting in English
- Independence living abroad
- A global, open mindset
- Courage to start your own thing
The game changer
See Silicon Valley through a founder's eyes.
Tourists see the buildings. You see how the Valley actually works: how ideas get funded, tested and scaled, from the people doing it.
Inside access
Visit companies and accelerators that rarely open their doors to individual visitors.
Pitch on Demo Day
Present your idea to a jury and get honest, expert feedback.
Founders, not textbooks
Learn from people who built, failed and scaled in the Valley.
A story for life
Something that stands out on your CV and in every interview after.
What you take home
Certificate of Completion
Official ABC certificate for your CV and LinkedIn.
Your startup pitch
A pitch you've practised and presented on Demo Day.
A finished venture project
A real idea, worked through from problem to business model.
A global network
Friends and contacts from many countries.
Mentor contacts
People in the Valley you can reach out to later.
Lifetime alumni access
Join 400+ ABC alumni and future events.
05Campus & accommodation
Your base: San José State University
Founded in 1857, San José State University is the oldest public university in California and one of Silicon Valley's biggest talent pipelines: each year it sends more graduates into Valley tech companies than almost any other school. Its 88-acre campus sits right in downtown San José, the largest city in the Valley.
Safe and secure
A staffed university campus with its own police department and 24/7 security in the residences.
Great location
Downtown San José at your doorstep, with easy transit to company visits and San Francisco.
Everything you need
Gym and recreation centre, cafés, restaurants, shops and green spaces to hang out after class.
Accommodation
Live on campus, with your cohort
Included
Double room
Shared with one participant, in a 4-bedroom suite.
- Shared living area & bathroom
- Furnished room, Wi-Fi
- Steps from your classes
Optional upgrade
Single room
Your own private room, in the same 4-bedroom suite.
- More privacy and quiet
- Same campus location
- Ask us for availability & price
Visa & arrival support
After acceptance, ABC provides an official visa invitation letter to support your travel arrangements.
Visitor/tourist or business entry is generally used for this short program. Depending on your nationality and circumstances, a US B1/B2 visa or ESTA may be appropriate. Check the correct category for your planned activities with official US authorities; an invitation letter does not guarantee a visa or entry.
06Alumni stories
The experience, in their own words
“A unique chance to meet people from around the world, learn from both successes and failures, and experience the true spirit of Silicon Valley firsthand.”
Jonas Höfflin
ABC Silicon Valley alumnus
“The program exceeded my expectations by combining technical knowledge with project management lessons and networking with like-minded professionals.”
Roger Rey Mesa
ABC Silicon Valley alumnus
“A perfect mix of lectures, company visits and guest speakers — a comprehensive view of the entrepreneurial journey.”
Luka Ulovec
ABC Silicon Valley alumnus
“The best program I've ever attended. The people, the lectures and the mix of business and life experiences gave me new energy.”
Nikola Rađenović
ABC Silicon Valley alumnus
400+ alumni from 30+ countries, with lifetime network access.
Meet the alumni07Tuition fee
Tuition & program inclusions
Early Bird · until 1 Dec 2026
€3,900 €4,900
Apply by 31 May 2027. Payment only after acceptance.
Included in your tuition
- On-campus housing (SJSU)
- Welcome package
- Lectures, seminars & workshops
- Company visits
- Day trip to San Francisco
- Certificate of Completion
- 24/7 ABC team assistance
- Lifetime alumni network
- Visa invitation letter after acceptance
–Not included
- Flights to and from the USA
- Meals and personal spending
- Health / travel insurance
- Visa or ESTA charges, where applicable
- Private trips and extra nights
Optional single room available as an upgrade.
Payment & admission
€150 · after acceptance
A separate €150 admission fee is payable only after acceptance to secure your spot. It is not included in tuition.
Up to 9 tuition installments
Tuition can be paid in up to 9 installments. Your payment schedule is agreed with the ABC team before you confirm your place.
Scholarships via the Venture Challenge
Awards have covered 100%, 75% or 50% of tuition.
08FAQ
Before you apply
The questions we hear most often.
01Who is eligible, and how are applicants selected?
Applicants must be 18 or older. Open to students, entrepreneurs and anyone willing to learn. All academic and professional backgrounds are welcome. An interview with the ABC team is required before the admissions board makes the final acceptance decision.
02How many participants join each program?
Each cohort is limited to 35 participants. An international cohort with space for conversation, teamwork and personal connections.
03Can I pay in installments, and when is the admission fee due?
Tuition can be paid in up to 9 installments. Your payment schedule is agreed with the ABC team before you confirm your place. A separate €150 admission fee is payable only after acceptance to secure your spot. It is not included in tuition.
04Do I need a visa, and will ABC provide an invitation letter?
After acceptance, ABC provides an official visa invitation letter to support your travel arrangements. Visitor/tourist or business entry is generally used for this short program. Depending on your nationality and circumstances, a US B1/B2 visa or ESTA may be appropriate. Check the correct category for your planned activities with official US authorities; an invitation letter does not guarantee a visa or entry.
05Do I need a startup idea?
You explore opportunities and develop ideas during the program. If you already have a concept, bring it to your discovery call to discuss your goals with the team.
Still have a question? Our team replies personally. Ask on WhatsApp
Apply
Your Silicon Valley chapter starts here
Limited to 35 participants
Early Bird until 1 Dec 2026
Applications close 31 May 2027
- 1Submit your application — free of charge
- 2Interview with the ABC team
- 3Receive the admissions board’s decision
- 4Secure your spot with the €150 admission fee
- 5Agree your tuition payment schedule and receive your invitation letter
Apply to ABC Bootcamps
Tell us about yourself and the program you want to join. Free to apply. An interview is required before the admissions board makes the final decision.
Go to official application