House that Harry built
The Innovation Authority has announced the establishment of three new hi-tech incubators in the northern Negev, Yeruham, and Carmiel.
The Authority will allocate NIS 80 million in grants to the firms operating the incubators. In addition, the government will grant an additional NIS 8 million to these firms to cover the incubators’ operating expenses.
One of the incubators is Inegev will be established in conjunction with the Triguboff Institute and the local governments
Shareholders in the incubator include investors such as Alpha Capital and Netafim Hatzerim Holdings, and the industrial companies Soda-Stream, Raval, Netafim, TAMI (Israel Chemicals), and Dolev. – an incubator for ventures in cleantech, agritech, plastics, and technology advanced industries, which will operate in the Idan Hanegev Industrial Zone in the northern Negev.
Last November, Sydney billionaire Harry Triguboff inaugurated the Switch Center for Training and Advancement of Employment, which was established by the Triguboff Center in Idan Hanegev House. Additional opportunities for future collaboration between the Switch Center and the incubator are expected.
The incubator will operate in Idan Hanegev House, constructed by Idan Hanegev with the assistance of the Triguboff Institute. Idan Hanegev House is located in the Jewish-Arab business park jointly owned by Rahat Municipality, Bnei Shimon Regional Council, and Lehavim Regional Council.
According to the Innovation Authority, the incubators are expected to promote the establishment of 130 ventures in the concession period, with a budget of up to NIS 1 million per venture. According to the Innovation Authority, “The entrepreneurs will benefit from financial investments of the incubators and their shareholders, and access to experts along the entire value chain, strategic partners, and other investors from Israel and other countries. They will enjoy access to laboratories, industrial facilities, pilot programs, and other resources.” The Innovation Authority stressed that the incubators are expected to encourage local entrepreneurship and promote the establishment of new start-up companies in the country’s periphery.
Report from Gal Barnes
