Bill Ackman's $400 million brain institute was inspired by his daughter—and built outside elite universities, which he says are losing talent

Photo of Bill Ackman (Credit: Patrick T. Fallon–AFP/Getty Images)

Five years ago, Bill Ackman said it would have been too hard to lure top scientists away from universities. Now, he thinks the balance of power has shifted.

The billionaire investor and his wife, designer and entrepreneur Neri Oxman, are launching a new Manhattan neuroscience and longevity center called the Ackman Oxman Institute, or AOI. Ackman said in a lengthy Aug. 19 post on X that the couple is donating roughly $400 million in Pershing Square stock to anchor the institute, with another gift of a similar or potentially greater size to come.