Where Global Leadership
Meets Innovation.
A global ecosystem connecting the people and ideas shaping a more sustainable future.
Our Story
From a Columbia student initiative to a global sustainability ecosystem.
GELA is a New York–incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). We connect entrepreneurs, business leaders, scientists, investors, scholars and emerging leaders across North America and the Asia-Pacific, with a focus on frontier technology, finance and investment, biomedicine and global governance.
It began with CGELA, launched by Columbia University graduate students in 2023. Today our alliance spans seven universities, including Columbia, Penn, NYU, Harvard, Sydney, HKU and UIUC, with a presence in New York, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shenzhen.
More about GELA →Watch
GELA in three minutes.
Hear from the entrepreneurs, scientists, investors and young professionals who make up our community, and see what we are building together.
Why GELA
We turn young people from participants into co-builders of a sustainable future.
Connect young people worldwide with resources across sectors, so understanding, talent and real-world action on sustainable development grow together.
A future-facing international platform that gives young people a lasting, scalable way to take part in sustainable development and global governance.
More than an events platform: a systemic connector of global youth, technological innovation, capital and governance.
Our Ecosystem
One platform, four engines.
Governance, community, research and venture building, connected so that ideas can move from conversation to real-world impact.
GSDI Foundation
Sets the long-term mission, values and institutional framework for the whole ecosystem.
Learn more → 02 CommunityUniversity Chapters Alliance
Student-led chapters at seven leading universities, linked by cross-campus programs and exchange.
Meet the chapters → 03 ResearchSustainX Institute
Applied research on climate, responsible investment and technology that turns knowledge into action.
Explore research → 04 VenturesAlpha Centauri Accelerator
Incubation, mentorship and investor access for early-stage, impact-driven ventures.
Visit the accelerator →
Based in New York
From Morningside Heights to the world stage.
Rooted at Columbia University in the heart of New York, GELA convenes young leaders, scholars, investors and policymakers across North America and the Asia-Pacific.
Flagship Event
Columbia University Global Sustainability Summit
Held each year in the rotunda of Columbia's Low Library, the summit brings together leaders from business, academia, investment and public policy. In 2026 it ran alongside a parallel summit in Beijing for the first time.
Global Network
Seven universities. One global alliance.
Student-led GELA chapters at leading universities across North America, Asia and Oceania, supported by an ecosystem of foundations, research institutes and partner organizations.
GELA Groups and Global Collaborators
University Chapters Outlook
Ecosystem Partners
