TAU ranked behind only Cambridge and Oxford for number of master’s graduates who founded US unicorn companies.
By Shula Rosen
Tel Aviv University (TAU) ranked third among universities outside the United States for the number of research-oriented master’s graduates who went on to found U.S. unicorn companies, placing it behind only the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, according to data published by Stanford University Prof. Ilya Strebulaev.
The ranking found that 12 founders of deep tech unicorn companies completed research-oriented master’s degrees at Tel Aviv University. MBA graduates were excluded from the study.
Cambridge led universities outside the United States with 19 founders, followed by Oxford with 16 and Tel Aviv University with 12.
Other Israeli institutions also placed prominently in the ranking. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology joined Tel Aviv University among the top 10 universities outside the United States whose research-oriented master’s graduates established unicorn companies in the United States.
Tel Aviv University had the highest total among Israeli universities, followed by the Hebrew University with eight founders and the Technion with seven. Bar-Ilan University was also included in the ranking, with four founders.
Strebulaev, whose research focuses on venture capital and innovation, identified 347 graduates of research-oriented master’s programs at 206 universities outside the United States. Those graduates founded a total of 270 unicorn companies.
Prof. Moshe Zviran, Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at TAU, said the results demonstrate the university’s role in developing entrepreneurs in technology-driven industries.
“This new study stands out for its focus on graduates of research-oriented Master’s programs who went on to found deep tech unicorn companies,” Zviran said.
“It provides further evidence of TAU’s leading position among universities in Israel and around the world, as well as within the global entrepreneurial ecosystem,” he added. “The findings place TAU in a select group of leading academic institutions and highlight the international impact of our graduates.”
Zviran said the university combines its research and teaching programs with efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, providing students and researchers with tools to transform their work and ideas into practical impact.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!