By:  Casey Ma MBA/MPH’26, Yale Ventures CBIT Associate

Jonathan Goldberg, SOM '21, began his entrepreneurial journey by building and growing an activewear brand in New York City, scaling it from zero to millions, with distribution online and in over 800 retailers globally. Interested in deepening his entrepreneurial background, Jonathan pursued an MBA at the Yale School of Management (SOM), where he explored entrepreneurship through acquisition and emerging technologies like blockchain and Web3. During this time, he also worked closely with the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (Tsai CITY) as an accelerator program portfolio manager, guiding a cohort of Yale startup founders. Reflecting on this exploratory phase in his journey, Jonathan emphasized how it influenced his career trajectory and deepened his knowledge of emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence.

“I've truly invested my career in what I believe will be a massive transformation of industry and society resulting from emerging technologies,” Jonathan explained.

At HHX, the innovation hub of Howard Hughes, Jonathan has been instrumental in helping the company embrace new technologies and foster a culture of innovation. His role involves exploring the potential of technologies like blockchain and generative AI, integrating these innovations into the core operations of Howard Hughes, and shaping the vision for building the cities of tomorrow.

“We’ve had great allyship from across the organization for what has ultimately evolved from a startup accelerator into launching a standalone innovation division for a major public company,” said Jonathan Goldberg, Director of HHX, the innovation hub for Howard Hughes Corp.

Jonathan's experience at Yale SOM significantly shaped his approach to innovation and leadership at HHX. The principles and strategies he learned at Yale have guided him in creating a dynamic and forward-thinking environment where new ideas are nurtured and groundbreaking solutions are developed. This holistic approach to innovation is evident in the significant milestones achieved under his leadership, including the development of HHX, Howard Hughes growing influence in the startup and VC ecosystem, and integrating technologies like generative AI for operational efficiency.

Reflecting on his time at Yale and its role in his journey, Jonathan noted, “preparation meeting opportunity has been key.” The principles and strategies he learned at Yale SOM continue to guide him in creating a forward-thinking environment at HHX, strengthening Howard Hughes as a technological leader in their industry.

About the speaker: Jonathan Goldberg '21 is the Director of HHX, the innovation division of Howard Hughes. In this role, Jonathan leads the operational and strategic execution of the company’s core innovation initiatives, including the use of emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence. Jonathan is a two-time startup founder, a volunteer venture investor with Y Startup Index, board member at Accelerate Yale, and served as a portfolio manager for the accelerator program at Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (Tsai CITY).

About the series: The Yale Ventures Startup Speaker Series is a series of dynamic virtual discussions featuring a lineup of founders, investors, and key members of the Yale innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Open to the Yale community, this series is designed to explore critical topics for aspiring and current founders, offering invaluable insights and inspiration. Sessions may explore the journeys of successful entrepreneurs, the nuances of startup investment, and the latest trends in innovation. Whether you’re a student, alumnus, or part of the Yale faculty, this series promises to be an enriching experience, fostering connections and empowering Yale founders.