Helping Israel’s Young Innovators
Helping Israel’s Young Innovators
December 15, 2016
The Times of Israel — The co-founders of InovyTec, a maker of portable emergency medical devices, didn’t know each other until they took an entrepreneurship course at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
“The entrepreneurship studies gave us the opportunity to meet, first of all,” says the company’s chairman Dror Matalon.
“They also allowed us to take a pause from work and think, giving us the relevant economic knowledge that is the basis of what we do today.”
How has the company been doing? To date, InovyTech has raised $4 million.
As Israel boasts the greatest number of startups per capita in the world, garnering the title of “Startup Nation,” entrepreneurship courses have become highly sought after. BGU’s Bengis Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management is helping meet the demand.
The program aims to arm students with much needed theory along with a toolbox of mentorships, networking and tips on how best to approach investors for funding.
Students take part in 30-hour development hackathon at the Bengis Center
“Studies show that entrepreneurship can be learned,” says Prof. Dafna Schwartz, chair of the Bengis Center. “Our message has always been that entrepreneurship is a skill that one must have in today’s working world, where you need to constantly identify and analyze opportunities.”
The University offers an MBA in management headed by Prof. Schwartz with a special track in entrepreneurship and high-tech management, teaching students how to set up and advance a project, stay competitive and promote innovation.
“The awareness for this need is growing. This is a skill that is a must for all those who study,” says Prof. Schwartz.
InovyTech is just one of many startups that have benefited from the Center’s tutelage and resources.
“The kernel for our company was formed there,” says Dror Matalon.
Read more on The Times of Israel website >>
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