Tel-Hai Magazine 2023-2024

Entrepreneurship as a way of life: continuing to foster entrepreneurship in northern Israel during the war

Tel-Hai's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center was founded in 2015 by Mira Hershkovitz and Prof. Eli Gimmon, a researcher in the field of entrepreneurship, and Chair of the center since its establishment and to this day. Over the years, the center has become a driving force in cultivating entrepreneurship and innovation in northern Israel. The center was established with the aim of enhancing the employability of Tel Hai graduates through the acquisition of advanced interpersonal skills, business acumen, and the capacity to apply academic knowledge in developing groundbreaking ideas. The objective being that these skills will lead to the creation of new ventures and contribute to an increase in quality jobs in the area, promoting regional economic growth. Educational activities at the center promote ingenuity and creativity in the ever-changing and uncertain employment market - especially in Israel's northern periphery. "We needed to break the cycle," Mira explains. "People were leaving the Galilee

incubator, where participants can practice solving complex problems, leverage critical thinking, and push their creative boundaries. And through organized tours of industrial centers, lectures, conferences, and meetings with successful entrepreneurs, students gain invaluable exposure to real-world knowledge and to professionals in industry. This approach also allows participants to develop crucial soft skills, such as relationship building, idea presentation, and the ability to break complex concepts into manageable tasks. The center creates a safe space for experimentation and learning from mistakes, fostering an environment where students and graduates are able to shape their future careers through initiating start-ups and innovative employment opportunities. Cornerstone activities at the center include the: Pre-accelerator program Open to students, graduates and community members, this program provides funding and mentorship to support innovative ideas from the idea stage to project execution (1-3 years). Made possible by the generous donations of the David Friedman Foundation and

because of the lack in employment opportunities, but businesses weren't opening in the north due to the lack of diversely trained local employees. Our center creates opportunities for people in the region to find suitable employment, and for businesses interested in establishing themselves in the region, to find appropriate employees. Thus, we create a climate in which graduates are motivated to stay local and contribute to the northern economy, rather than migrating elsewhere to find employment." "In order to help our graduates overcome challenges and adapt to the job market's unpredictability," says Mira, "our best strategy has been to provide entrepreneurial education and a solid skillset that will remain relevant - even as some professions and occupations become obsolete over time." For the past decade, the center has been developing comprehensive training and experiential programs that go beyond theoretical knowledge. These programs provide students with a practical platform to develop ideas and hone essential entrepreneurial skills. The center offers an experiential

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