How Bina Is Training the Next Generation of Scientific Innovators

From its inception, Bina - Bridge Innovate Nurture Advance the Weizmann Institute of Science Translational Research and Innovation Unit recognized that advancing research toward application requires a dual approach: supporting promising projects while building a sustainable culture of scientific innovation on campus. In parallel to the unit’s Nurture Program, Bina develops educational tracks to equip a broader scientific audience with a translational mindset.

At the heart of that effort is the Bina Innovation Fellowship, a tailored program designed for carefully selected late-stage doctoral students who are ready to expand how they think about the future of science.

Paving the Way for Transformative Science

Over the course of three months, fellows are immersed in the translational world that exists beyond the traditional academic track.

They meet over a dozen experts from technology transfer, venture capital, industry, and startup leadership, and are introduced to the practical questions that determine whether a scientific idea can move forward:

Is there a real need?

What makes this solution distinct?

What would it take to validate it? How early should intellectual property be considered?

What makes a discovery not just interesting, but actionable?

One of the most important shifts the fellowship offers is a change in perspective. For many participants, this is the first time they are evaluating scientific ideas not only for novelty and rigor, but also for feasibility, differentiation, timing, risk, and market relevance.

As Dr. Daniel Ben Hur, an alumni fellow, puts it:

“You realize that many promising scientific results emerging from academia fail as ventures - not because of the science itself, but because they lack the structure needed to commercialize them. Bina provides us with the know-how and practical expertise needed to move research toward real-world application.”

Learning How Research Becomes Actionable

This year’s fellowship gave participants direct access to professionals working at pivotal points along the translational pathway. The syllabus was carefully customized around fellows' needs, featuring sessions with Dr. Tamar Farfel-Becker, PhD, director of business development at YEDA - Technology Transfer Company of Weizmann Institute of Science, Dr. Dorit Rozner, PhD, Strauss Group, Dr. Yuval Gilad, FreezeM, Yonatan Cohen, Quantum Machines, David Brocks, Immunai, Raanan Shelach, Carbonade.

Through candid discussions with the fellows, they shared not only their professional journeys but also the decisions, trade-offs, and lessons involved in turning science into successful ventures.

The program grounds this exposure in hands-on, practical learning. Fellows work through the mechanics of advancing a technology: designing proof-of-concept studies, defining milestones and success criteria, and building realistic development budgets (Dr. Sharon Kredo-Russo, Compugen). They are introduced to intellectual property review (Sheryl Sabban), freedom-to-operate analysis, and market and competitive analysis (Dr. Mor Vered) - areas that are rarely part of formal scientific training yet are critical for anyone seeking to understand whether and how research can progress toward application.

For Dr. Lada Pechuk, an alumni fellow, the exposure gained through the program was significant:

“I didn’t know how scientific discoveries actually advance into the world. Suddenly, you’re exposed to what investors and companies are actually looking for — why decisions are made and how to position your work and prepare for it early on.”

Communicating Science, Connecting Opportunities

The fellowship treats communication and relationship-building as core skills. A central part of the fellowship is learning how to articulate scientific ideas clearly to various audiences from investors and industry leaders to collaborators and potential partners. Through a dedicated workshop on soft skills and communication by Ofir Gal On, Lior Shoham, fellows practice shaping a persuasive narrative around their science without losing its technological depth or integrity.  That skill becomes especially important as fellows step outside the campus and into the broader innovation ecosystem.

As part of the program, participants visit leading venture capital firms and engage directly with Grove Ventures and aMoon Fund investors. They also meet leaders working across multiple sectors, including quantum computing, AI-driven drug discovery, and climate tech. These encounters offer a rare firsthand view of how science is assessed beyond academia - and open doors to networks, opportunities, and new ways of thinking about career development and impact.

Each year, participants have the opportunity to secure an internship position at Yeda, the Institute’s technology transfer office.

And for some fellows, the connection with Bina evolves into a long-term professional partnership. One such example is Dr. Yair Harel, whose fellowship was a turning point in his career, ultimately leading to his current role as an innovation analyst at Bina.

So far, 6 alumni fellows are heading applied research projects nurtured by Bina: Daniel Ben Hur, Razi Khalaila, Yonatan Nutkewitz, Shahar Rezenman, Yarden Danieli, Debra Barki.

Among them is Dr. Yonatan Nutkewitz, who notes:

“The fellowship, together with the Bina’s continuous guidance, has allowed me to develop a solution with the potential to transform biological manufacturing industries. With Bina’s ongoing support, I am truly able to pursue my dreams.”

Shaping Tomorrow

This year marked the third cohort of the Bina Innovation Fellowship and with it, another milestone in Bina’s mission to help researchers explore how strong science can have a meaningful impact.

The program concluded on April 29, 2026, with a final event featuring startup-style pitch presentations by the participants. Bringing together Bina mentors, principal scientists, senior leadership from Yeda, and industry leaders, the event marks the culmination of another cycle of scientific talent learning to think beyond discovery alone.

Follow along to learn more about our ongoing and future initiatives. Join our WhatsApp community for updates, events, collaboration opportunities, and job openings: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KdLEtenKa6qIGOnIivJoTG