Bar-Ilan University participated in the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s DETECT! consortium meeting at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czechia, in May 2024. DETECT! is a project of the EIT’s Higher Education Institutions (HEI) initiative.
The DETECT! consortium aims to connect HEIs’ strength in deep-tech fields with entrepreneurship-related schemes, industry partners, and third-sector organizations. Their vision until 2030 is to create an integral innovation ecosystem by connecting with innovation engines in the deep-tech sector at multiple levels. They also strive to become a one-stop source for innovation in the deep-tech sector by systemizing all support services, training, and mentoring programs.
The objective is to transform participating HEIs into pools of deep-tech talents with entrepreneurial skills, providing solutions to societal challenges. This will be achieved through the establishment of training programs, mentorships, and improved technology transfer offices. DETECT! aims to have a significant societal and economic impact by fostering a creative and innovative mindset among students and staff, preparing graduates for the labor market, and enabling them to translate their knowledge into valuable products.
The program included presentations, panel discussions, pitches by participants, and other talks.
Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, Deputy President of Bar-Ilan University, giving his presentation
In an interesting presentation by Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, Deputy President of Bar-Ilan University (BIU), he delved into the dynamic landscape of innovation in higher education within the context of Israel and spoke about BIU’s contributions. With an emphasis on collaboration with industry and the protection of intellectual property rights in commercial projects, Prof. Lewenstein unraveled the intricate web of partnerships that drive groundbreaking advancements.
He highlighted the power of the Knowledge Triangle Integration, wherein stakeholders from education, business, and research converge to forge new frontiers. He also shed light on the vital role of institutional support in facilitating technology transfer, sharing best practices and successful models. Through his insightful exploration, Prof. Lewenstein painted a dynamic picture of Israel’s thriving innovation ecosystem, where ideas flourish and boundaries are shattered.
Ariel Sella, Managing Director of BIU’s UnBox Ventures, introduced the university’s transformative incubator, designed to ignite creativity and propel innovation. He emphasized the power of this pioneering initiative, where ideas come to life and dreams become reality. Sella also highlighted the pivotal role of mentoring as institutional support for innovation, discussing the careful selection of mentors with the wisdom and expertise to guide aspiring innovators toward success.
He stressed the importance of equipping mentors with knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving landscape of innovation and providing a structured framework for continuous growth. Through this solid foundation, Sella explained how mentorship becomes a catalyst for groundbreaking ideas to flourish.
A partnership of Bar-Ilan University and Mivtach Shamir Holdings, UnBox Ventures is a unique on-campus venture studio that invests expertise, capital, and intellectual property in a growing portfolio of research-based deep-tech startups aiming at positive global impact in critical domains such as healthcare and sustainability.
Full partners in the DETECT! Consortium include the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czechia (lead partner); Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia; Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland; University of Vienna, Austria; National University of Shipbuilding, Ukraine; Maker Institute, Czechia; and Technology Innovation Centre, Czechia.
Associated partners include Bar-Ilan University, Israel; Humboldt Innovation, Germany; and INiTS Universitäres Gründerservice Wien (Vienna’s High-Tech Incubator), Austria.
