NYU i³: Institute for Impact & Intrapreneurship
Taking the Language of Innovation to the Places that need it most
Our Mission and Vision
Why?
In the 21st century, entrepreneurship and innovation are omnipresent—celebrated by the media, supported by institutions, and taught across disciplines. Entrepreneurship involves creating new solutions to existing problems, while innovation is the mindset that drives this process. These concepts have evolved beyond academic subjects to become essential ways of thinking, seeing the world, and approaching change. As cultural perspectives, they promote opportunity over challenge and are rooted in how societies adapt. In a rapidly changing innovation-driven economy, understanding and applying these ideas is as critical as reading, writing, or digital literacy.
What?
We introduce people to the language, mindset, and culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, leveraging NYU’s global platform, brand, and resources. Participants gain access to key concepts, structures, and networks that make this world more accessible. While fluency isn’t expected, we provide a strong foundation to help students navigate and grow at their own pace. Our focus is on intrapreneurship—entrepreneurial thinking within existing organizations—and impact, which blends technology, profit, and purpose to drive social and environmental progress. Together, these elements capture the spirit of innovation and empower learners to engage meaningfully with it.
How?
Our approach is hands-on and experiential. We teach innovation and entrepreneurship like leadership—through definitions, context, case studies, trends, and expert insights. Learning happens through doing, asking, and reflecting, supported by NYU’s diverse knowledge and global platform. Projects include a certificate in Spiritual Leadership for rabbinical students with YCT, an entrepreneurship program for human trafficking survivors with Restore NYC, investor education with OurCrowd VC, and launching a think tank with G100 to rethink impact investing. Each initiative applies entrepreneurial tools to real-world challenges, empowering participants to create meaningful, lasting change.
Where?
Our approach is hands-on and experiential. We teach innovation and entrepreneurship like leadership—through definitions, context, case studies, trends, and expert insights. Learning happens through doing, asking, and reflecting, supported by NYU’s diverse knowledge and global platform. Projects include a certificate in Spiritual Leadership for rabbinical students with YCT, an entrepreneurship program for human trafficking survivors with Restore NYC, investor education with OurCrowd VC, and launching a think tank with G100 to rethink impact investing. Each initiative applies entrepreneurial tools to real-world challenges, empowering participants to create meaningful, lasting change.
News
Events
Leadership
Rabbi Yehuda Sarna
Rabbi Yehuda Sarna serves as the University Chaplain and Executive Director at the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at New York University. He is a Senior Fellow at the Of Many Institute for Multifaith Leadership at NYU, where he designs educational experiences and curricula to train the next generation in interfaith action.
Dr. Nir Tsuk
Dr. Nir Tsuk is a seasoned practitioner, academic and facilitator with over 20 years of international experience in the fields of social capital, entrepreneurship and culture of innovation. Serving as a Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of Osaka, and NYU’s Global Distinguished Scholar, Nir is the founder of i³.
Advisory Board
Prof. Batia Mishan Wiesenfeld
Prof. Batia Mishan Wiesenfeld is the Andre J. L. Koo Professor of Management and Chair of the Department of Management and Organizations at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University. She received her Ph.D. in Management and Organizational Behavior from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
Prof. Benjamin Hary
Prof. Benjamin Hary is the Director of NYU Tel Aviv and Professor at the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Up until 2014 Hary was the Winship Professor of Hebrew, Arabic, and Linguistics and the Director of the Program in Linguistics at Emory University.
Prof. Lisa Sasson
Prof. Lisa Sasson is the dietetic internship director and a clinical associate professor in the department of nutrition and food studies, and the Associate Dean for Global Affairs at NYU Steinhardt. She has interests in dietetic education, weight and behavior management, and problem-based learning.
ls7@nyu
Prof. Paul C. Light
Prof. Paul C. Light is NYU Wagner's Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service and founding principal investigator of the Global Center for Public Service. Before joining NYU, Dr. Light served as the Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, founding director of its Center for Public Service, and vice president and director of the Governmental Studies Program.
Lets Work Together!
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