Business Today - Through My Eyes

Ohad Swissa, 3^rd Year student, Entrepreneurship and Computer Science track, Ze’ev Honors Program

A week ago, I returned from New York after several fascinating and empowering days at the Business Today Conference - an international summit run by Princeton University students, bringing together 150 outstanding students from leading universities (primarily in the U.S.) such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Princeton, alongside global executives, entrepreneurs, and investors.

This year, eight students from the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship at Reichman University participated in the conference. We were each accepted individually and only met for the first time just before the event - yet very quickly, we felt that we were representing something bigger than ourselves: The Entrepreneurship School, Reichman University, and the State of Israel.

After three intense days of business, entrepreneurship, and dialogue, I left with several key takeaways:

Seeing Israel from a Different Angle

Most students around me were 18-21, as is typical in the American education path, while I arrived at 29, after nearly a decade of military service.

This sparked meaningful conversations about leadership, responsibility, and maturity and led me to appreciate the path I took and the unique Israeli trajectory that shapes us differently than other parts of the world. In one conversation, a successful American serial entrepreneur and former Marine said something that stayed with me: “Some people think Boston is the Silicon Valley of the East coast - I’d say it’s actually Israel.”

He shook my hand, thanked me for my service, and acknowledged the path I chose. A small moment, but a powerful one that reflected deep cross-continental appreciation for the Israeli spirit and journey.

The Business World Is Vast

Throughout the conference, we met and spoke with leaders from industries I had barely encountered before: The CEO of a major natural-resources company, senior figures from FIFA and U.S. Soccer, AI entrepreneurs, a whiskey investment fund manager, and more.

Conversation after conversation, I realized how massive and diverse the business world truly is - full of opportunities and fields I’ve barely begun to explore. Each discussion only expanded my curiosity and showed me how much there still is to learn.

The Human Algorithm - Where Do Humans Still Matter in the Age of AI?

A recurring theme across panels was a central question: What remains uniquely human in a world where algorithms make more and more decisions?

If AI can analyze, optimize, and respond, where do intuition, creativity, and ethics still come in?

This is a question I’m asking myself - in entrepreneurship, in business, and in daily life.

Where is my X-factor? What is the value I bring to the table in this era?

Final Reflections

After three unforgettable days of learning, meeting visionary students and founders from around the world, and forming real friendships with fellow Entrepreneurship School students, I came home with a renewed appreciation for my personal journey - and for ours as Israelis.

We all gained a broader perspective on the strengths of the Israeli path and the resilience it instills. Personally, I returned with motivation to keep exploring, learning, and building the next chapter of my entrepreneurial and professional path. And of course, with immense appreciation for the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship, which continues to surprise us with extraordinary opportunities that only it can create. I’m proud to be part of it.

Lastly, I want to thank Dr. Yossi Maaravi and the entire Entrepreneurship School faculty for their trust, support, and for enabling us to stand on such a unique international stage.

And to anyone reading this who’s considering applying, don’t hesitate.

This is an experience worth taking.