Tel Aviv University (TAU) sits at the epicentre of Israel’s startup ecosystem, producing alumni and inventions that have shaped the nation’s reputation as a global innovation powerhouse. But university president Professor Ariel Porat is equally focused on how the institution can contribute to healing Israeli society after two years of war.
In an interview during his recent visit to Australia, Porat outlined the university’s role in commercialisation, its response to the anti-Israel boycott movement, and initiatives aimed at bridging divides within Israeli society.
The startup engine
Asked how TAU’s geographic proximity to the startup towers of central Tel Aviv influences its contribution to Israel’s high-tech sector, Porat emphasised that networking matters more than location alone.
“Israel is a small country … it’s quite easy to come from one place to another,” he said. “I think it’s more, not only, or not mainly, the geographical proximity, but the acquaintance among people. Some of them are classmates, or people that served in the same unit in the military. I think networking is critical.”
comments