GlobeMates

Problem & Value Proposition: International students on study abroad programs often struggle with cultural adjustment, isolation, and a lack of ongoing support before and after arrival. GlobeMates is an app that solves this by providing continuous cultural guidance, local tips, and campus connections that help students integrate confidently throughout their study abroad journey. For universities, this improves student well-being, engagement, and long-term participation in global programs.

Regenerative Approach: GlobeMates is regenerative because it is community-powered: alumni and current students continuously contribute lived experiences that support future cohorts, strengthening social belonging and peer support over time. Economically, this shared knowledge reduces repeated costs for universities and students by lowering attrition, improving program retention, and increasing long-term participation in study abroad programs.

Startup Journey: We are in the early validation and MVP stage, with product-market fit already achieved.

How the Team Came Together: We are all international students who have firsthand experience with the challenges of studying abroad in London, the United States, and Ghana. Each of us experienced culture shock and gaps in support before and after arrival, which made this problem personal. We built GlobeMates (AKA your study-abroad buddy) to create the support system we wished we had.