InnovNation Summer Program

Highlights

  • Meet with leading start-up founders, top executives, angel and venture capital investors, technology experts, and prominent industry leaders.
  • Visit successful start-ups, high-tech firms, multinational R&D centers, business accelerators, and research institutes.
  • Learn practical models and tools for creating start-up companies and developing innovative ventures.
  • Explore the future of disruptive technologies like 3D printing, neuroscience, robotics, nanotech, biomed, genetics, cyber-computing, artificial intelligence, and more.

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:

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:

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: 

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.

Apply

We’re pleased you’re applying to join us in Jerusalem or virtually. To enroll in the InnovNation Summer Program (two courses for six credits total) please select either or both InnovNation courses from the list of Summer Courses on the online application. See our application guidelines or apply online now.

Please note:

  • You may switch from a summer course to this program until up to two weeks before the summer course/ program begins.
  • See here for more information about visas.
  • A limited number of housing spots at Student Village is available. Requests for housing at the Student Village should be communicated to the IBH staff only after being accepted to the program.

Look here for the 2025 Summer Courses Schedule:

Contact

We’re happy to answer any questions you might have – or to chat for a bit to help you choose the right course or program.

Email Us
Call us: +972 2 588 2602

Find More Summer Courses

Please note that HebrewU reserves the right to cancel courses for which there is insufficient registration.

Fast Facts

Program:

InnovNation

Teaching Faculty:

Program director: Mr. Javier Gelbwaser

Language of Instruction:

English

Credits/Hours:

Academic hours:

  • Summer: 45-90
    Credits: 3-6
  • Winter: 45-90
    Credits: 3-6
Program Dates:

Summer 2025: June 30 – July 24, 2025

Eligibility:

Professionals and entrepreneurs or students who have completed at least one year of study in approved fields

Application Deadline:

April 15, 2025

Costs:

Health insurance through Rothberg is mandatory for the program

Summer:

Application: US$ 120

Tuition: US$ 2,000(1 course)**
US$ 3,600 (2 courses)**

Housing: US $850*

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

Relevant Academic Fields:

Science, technology, innovation, business, management, entrepreneurship

Take a look at our pages for prospects, students, faculty and staff, alumni, and parents – or contact us!

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Pre-Semester Program: “Encountering Jerusalem”
Autumn
Practical Hebrew Beginners4 credits
Modern Standard Arabic Beginners 5 credits
Jerusalem: A Journey Through Time and Space3 credits
Pre-Semester Program: “Encountering Jerusalem”
Spring
Practical Hebrew Beginners 4 credits
Israeli Society3 credits