Location:

Haifa, Israel

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

The program provides rigorous hands-on academic experience in areas essential to the development of a real life tech start-up. These include marketing fundamentals, economics of innovation, legal and intellectual property rights, strategic business planning and more. The program focuses heavily on both the theory and the practical how-to of business financing, investments and investors, and raising capital. The program's unique structure incorporates core academic courses and internship experience which work in tandem to help students maximize their time in Israel. Students choose from two academic tracks: Entrepreneurship in the Medical and Biomedical Areas, and General Technology, Cyber, Big Data, Media and Related Areas.

Students earn up to 7.5 academic credits in an entrepreneurship/innovation or biomedical/biotechnology specialization. This program gives students an opportunity to study and explore Israel’s business ecology and entrepreneurial culture, while also identifying business opportunities and addressing the initiation, development, and expansion of technology or biotechnology firms. Students stimulate the creation of a hi-tech/biomedical start-up company, working in small, international teams to establish a company, focusing on its pre-seed phase. Students also experience off-site activities including business and industry site visits and meetings with Israeli business leaders. The Entrepreneurship in the Medical, Biomedical and Biotechnology Areas study track consists of three academic courses: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (organizations and entrepreneurship), Entrepreneurship Economy and Finance, and Biomedical Innovation (project course). The General Technology, Cyber, Big Data, Media and Related Areas study track consists of three academic courses: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (organizations and entrepreneurship), Entrepreneurship Economy and Finance, and Project Course focusing on general technology, cyber and media innovation.

Students gain invaluable professional experience, unparalleled business and economics instruction, improved team building skills and an opportunity to work with a diverse group of international peers. In addition classes and internships, there are weekly meetings with leading Israeli business figures and visits to various companies to explore Israel’s start-up and high-tech economy. Other benefits include a lunchtime speaker series, day-trips to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and one-on-one mentoring with experienced Israeli and U.S. based investors and entrepreneurs.

Setting Description:

Academic classes are conducted at Technion's Haifa campus. Students are assigned internship placements directly relevant to their field of study and given freedom to work and problem-solve directly with the firms professional staff. Students are supervised by both an internal corporate and a Technion academic supervisor. They work in defining, analyzing and solving real problems in a tech-oriented entrepreneurial firm. The goal is to allow students to experience without mitigation the "entrepreneurial heat" in real Israeli start-ups. Technion arranges student housing in Haifa.

Cost:

*Registration Fee (non-refundable): USD 50 * Tuition: USD 6,000 * Housing: USD 320 per month * Medical Insurance: USD 400 *Please note that the program costs do not cover applicants’ airfare. **Prices are subject to change Undergraduate students with a GPA of 80 and above are invited to apply. A technology and business studies background is recommended but not required. Please see our website for further information and application forms.

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

Yes

Scholarships Description:

Merit based Scholarships