Israel Summer Business Academy (ISBA)


ISBA 2024 Tentative Dates: June 17 to August 2, 2024

Due to the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza, Washington University in St. Louis has added Israel, The West Bank, and Gaza to the ITOC Travel Suspension Conditions list. This means that University-supported or sponsored travel to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza is not permitted. As this situation is changing daily, the University’s ITOC will be reviewing this decision weekly as the situation progresses.

As such, applications for the Israel Summer Business Academy are temporarily closed as we monitor the situation. Students interested in participating on the program can fill out this short survey to receive updated information on ISBA if and when applications are reopened. 

The university recognizes this is a dynamic and evolving situation, and the International Travel Oversight Committee will be reviewing our decision weekly, as the situation progresses.

The Israel Summer Business Academy (ISBA) is a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to study and immerse themselves in Israel—a country that’s built itself around entrepreneurship.

  • Location
    Israel
  • Duration
    6 weeks
  • Format
    Study abroad
  • Start
    Summer
  • Cost
    $6,500

Program Structure


Spend approximately three days a week attending lectures and working on group and individual assignments at Mindspace, located in central Tel Aviv. The other 2 days are spent visiting companies and listening to guest lectures.

A Typical Day

9:00 a.m. – Leave for class

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Class at Mindspace in Tel Aviv

1:00-2:00 pm. – Lunch at a restaurant around Mindspace

2:00-4:00 p.m. – Coursework with assigned group

4:30 p.m. – Return to apartment

4:30-6:00 p.m. – Gym, Laundry, free time

6:00-8:00 p.m. – Dinner with ISBA friends

8:00-11:00 pm. – Relaxing and experiencing the Tel Aviv night life

Why Study Entrepreneurship in Israel?

Launched in the summer of 2014, the Israel Summer Business Academy is designed for students of all faiths, beliefs and academic backgrounds who want to learn about Israeli business and startup culture firsthand. This is a powerful opportunity to immerse yourself in a truly innovative environment that encourages startups.

I came to ISBA knowing little about venture capital or entrepreneurship, and I walked away feeling like an expert.

—Noah, University of Michigan

Israel has more startups per capita than any other country in the world, with 65% of the companies still in business after five years. Israel–with a population of about 8 million–is #3 on the list of countries with the most companies on NASDAQ, behind only the United States and China. While there, you learn about Israeli entrepreneurship, innovation and nonprofit consulting through coursework, speakers, company visits and actual nonprofit consulting.

You’ll also visit historical and cultural sites such as Masada and the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, and a number of museums in Tel Aviv.