InnovNation Summer Program

InnovNation provides students, entrepreneurs, and professionals behind-the-scenes access to the high- tech industry and entrepreneurial ecosystem of Israel – a country world-renowned as the Start-Up Nation. As a participant in this course, you’ll learn practical strategies, models, and tools from the the experience and insights of Israel’s top innovative companies and entrepreneurs and take an up-close look at disruptive technologies that are shaping tomorrow’s world.

Get a glimpse into the future with visits to leading research hubs and top tech innovators in Israel. As a participant, you’ll gain insights from their knowledge and experience while also learning about practical approaches to entrepreneurial pursuits.

Winter 

The Winter program is made up of two complementary courses that can be taken together or separately:

•  VC in Emerging Technologies: Investing in the Future  (dates TBD)
• Start-Ups and Innovation: The Israeli Model  (dates TBD)

Follow the links above to learn more about these two specially designed courses.

These two courses are designed to complement each other with different field trips, lectures, and meetings: 

InnovNation 2 week Winter Session – Sample Itinerary

Summer 2025

The summer program is made up of two complementary courses that can be taken together or separately:

• Start-Ups and Innovation: The Israeli Model (June 30 – July 24, 2025)
• Breakthrough Technologies: Shaping the Future (June 30 – July 24, 2025)

Follow the links above to learn more about these two specially designed courses.

These two courses are designed to complement each other with different field trips, lectures, and meetings: InnovNation Summer Session Sample Itinerary.

Scroll down for the July summer schedule to see which summer courses can be combined with the InnovNation program courses.

Course Components 

• Meet with scientists, researchers, executives, and R&D staff through guest lectures and visits to high-tech companies and research centers.
• Create a report on one of the breakthrough technologies studied during the course. Your report will analyze the innovation and its potential effects.
• Work in teams to create a business plan for an online venture, based on the tools and methods learned during the program.
• Present the project to your classmates following the format of an investor presentation.
• Complete assigned readings on business models, start-ups, innovation, marketing, Israel’s entrepreneurship culture, and more.

Professionals who are not interested in the academic credit may opt out of submitting the final paper and receive an audit grade (Active Participation grade) but must still attend all classes and field trips, and complete any assignment throughout the course. This option is also possible for students who are not interested in academic credit.

Download the brochure to learn more.

Syllabi: 

• Start Ups and Innovation – The Israeli Model (SPEC202)
• Breakthrough Technologies: Shaping the Future (SPEC203)

You’ll be invited to participate in a wide array of trips, tours, and activities offered by the Office of Student Life. From a tour of the Old City to a trip to the Dead Sea to checking out the local festivals, you’ll build your own unique impressions and memories of Jerusalem and Israel. Read what students have to say or check our Facebook page.

While residing in HebrewU dormitories with other international and Israeli students, you’ll have a chance to form new friendships and get involved in campus life. A team of multilingual Israeli students, called madrichim, is also there to help you adjust to your new surroundings and give you tips on things to do. Learn more about student life at HebrewU.

Apply by

• Summer: April 15, 2025

Arrive on campus

• Summer: 30, 2025

Program length

• Winter: two -four weeks
• Summer: four weeks

Health insurance through Rothberg is mandatory for the program.

Summer

Application fee: US $120 (non-refundable)

Tuition 1 course: US$ 2,000**
Paid to RIS: US$ 342
Paid to IBH: US$ 1,658
Tuition 2 courses: US$ 3,600**
Paid to RIS: US$ 592
Paid to IBH: US$ 3,008**
Housing: US$ 850*

*Depending on availability
**Subject to Min exchange rate of 3.3 USD to NIS

The innovation program is offered in collaboration with Israel Beyond the Headlines (IBH).

Tuition, for both Summer and Winter Sessions, is to be paid in two separate payments to Rothberg International School and IBH.

Learn more about fees, cost of living, and paying for the program.

For more information on Israel Beyond the Headlines’ method and terms of payment, please see here. For Rothberg International School financial information, see here.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships based on demonstrated need or merit are available.

Learn also about financial aid offered by IBH. 

A 10% discount on the tuition fee for one of the InnovNation summer program courses is offered by IBH to students who complete their application by February 16, 2025, and who complete payment by March 16, 2025. Students who apply for both courses of the InnovNation program will receive the 10% discount on one of the courses only.

This program is open to students, professionals, and entrepreneurs who have completed at least one year of study in the areas of business, NPO management, economics, natural and applied sciences, engineering, and entrepreneurship.