Columbia University & Reichman University MBA Students Visit the Weizmann Institute of Science Innovation Ecosystem

As part of a unique course exploring the success of Israel as the Startup Nation, MBA students from Columbia Business School and Reichman University visited the Weizmann Institute of Science.

During their visit, the students learned about the legacy of the Weizmann Institute of Science, the difference between basic and translational research, the role of technology transfer, and how clinical unmet needs can be fused with an innovative mindset to create new ventures.

Prof. Brian Berkowitz from the department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Jordan Pollack, an entrepreneur, were presenting together their scientific journey and perspectives in leading an academic technology from the bench to the development of new medical devices.
The vibrant discussion covered a range of topics, including:
The scientific origin of the technology; The challenges and opportunities of licensing academic research; Commercial validation processes; Cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The final takeaway? The future lies at the intersection of academia, innovation, and business.

We would like to thank Prof. Brian Berkowitz, Jordan Pollack, Elik Chapnik, Vered Pardo-Yissar, and Sharon Fireman.