Ben-Gurion University of the
Negev ranks among the top 50 universities graduating successful
entrepreneur company founders from its undergraduate programs, according to
Pitchbook, a financial data firm that publishes annual data. BGU moved up two
spots from last year’s rankings, marking its third consecutive year on the top
50 list.
The Pitchbook listings indicate that BGU moved up two spots in the Top 50
Ranking in 2021. The university has graduated 314 founders whose companies have
raised a total of $8.3 billion, according to Pitchbook. Among the top five
companies led by BGU entrepreneurs in capital raised are Deel ($630m),
Fireblocks ($492m), Exaware ($420m), Fabric ($336m), Hibob ($277m).
BGU’s entrepreneurial focus is led by Yazamut 360°, a unique suite of program
offerings designed to enhance BGU’s academic curriculum and infuse
entrepreneurship into the DNA of a BGU student. Yazamut 360° established Cactus Capital – Israel’s first student-run venture
capital fund. It has also created two accelerators, one focused on technology
entrepreneurship (Oazis) and one on e-commerce. Oazis pairs faculty members
with CEOs to create companies through BGN Technologies. The accelerators serve
as a resource for all entrepreneurs on campus through professional mentoring,
financial consulting, and technological consulting.
The 2021 Pitchbook university rankings are based on the number of founders
whose companies received a first round of venture funding between Jan. 1, 2006
and Oct. 31, 2021.
