Israel Launches $4M Environmental Tech Innovation Lab

Israel is launching a new initiative to support environmental protection and sustainability, establishing a NIS 14 million ($3.8 million) environmental technological innovation lab with the support and cooperation of the Israel Innovation Authority, the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry.

The Israel Innovation Authority said in a statement that corporations will submit proposals as part of a tender process for the establishment and operation of the lab.

The lab will scout for startups in the fields of environmental protection and sustainability and support their proof of concept projects, and will support the startups with access to technological infrastructure, assisting them in determining their product’s commercial viability, supporting project execution, opening marketing channels, exposing them to know-how and expertise, and creating connections with investors, partners, and corporate clients.

The Israeli Innovation Authority said that priority will be given to initiatives that provide solutions for processing and manufacturing industries with high pollution rates and in proximity to population centers.

The project is part of an Environmental Protection Ministry program started in 2018, when the ministry and the Israel Innovation Authority joined forces to create pilot programs to support Israeli environmental technologies ripe for commercial application on an industrial scale.

Anya Eldan, VP of the Israel Innovation Authority and Head of the Startup Division: “Our vision is that the innovation lab will develop into an entire ecosystem of unique startups, investors, and Israeli and multinational companies that will help implement innovative technologies and impact the lab with their vast experience in the industry.”

“Achieving environmental sustainability goals has massive economic potential, including higher rates of productivity and industrial innovation. The lab will promote more sustainable manufacturing processes and implement innovative methods that solve industry-based environmental requirements,” said Oz Katz, head of the Industries Administration at the Ministry of Economy and Industry.