5 Israeli Companies Named Technology Pioneers 2021 By World Economic Forum

Five Israeli companies were among 100 global firms named to the World Economic Forum’s 2021 Technology Pioneers list, honoring initiatives that aim to solve global challenges with cutting-edge technology.

This year’s cohort includes companies pioneering technologies ranging from cell-based seafood protein to quantum-based cybersecurity, digitization of water rights, and use of satellite imaging to measure carbon captured in forests, according to the WEF. Companies were listed by region in a total of 17 categories including health and healthcare, digital assets, cybersecurity, and global public goods.

The five Israeli companies on the list are Israeli cybersecurity company Cheq, a developer of AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) capabilities to combat ad fraud and ensure brand-safe environments for online advertisers; CropX, agtech analytics company developing cloud-based software solutions integrated with wireless sensors for better crop yield and agricultural output; healthcare data startup MDClone, a developer of a big data solution that democratizes data to the entire healthcare ecosystem, allowing for data access, analytics, and research; AI company MyndYou, the developer of an AI-based voice bot for remote patient engagement and monitoring; and Phinergy, a developer of metal-air technology that combines oxygen from the air with metals to generate electricity.

The 2021 cohort of young and growing tech companies includes “many future headline-makers at the forefront of their industries,” said Susan Nesbitt, Head of the Forum’s Global Innovators Community. The social innovators are selected for being cutting-edge players with “great potential to not only shake up their industries but offer real solutions to global problems,” she explained in a statement.

The Technology Pioneer community was first launched in 2000 by the World Economic Forum. Past recipients have included now-household names such as Airbnb, Google, Kickstarter, Mozilla, Spotify, Twitter, and Wikimedia.

The “pioneers” are selected by a committee of technology and innovation experts, academics, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs. The committee evaluates candidates against selection criteria before making recommendations to the World Economic Forum.

Companies selected take part in a two-year journey with the World Economic Forum, engaging in the Forum’s initiatives, activities, events, and bringing cutting-edge insights and fresh thinking to critical global discussions. In 2020, six Israeli companies were named to the Technology Pioneers list.