Samsung Seeks Israeli Tech For Its Products

South Korean tech giant Samsung is launching a program to integrate innovative Israeli technologies into its products. 

Selected startups will receive $50,000 in funding and technical support from Samsung’s various R&D units to build a proof of concept (POC) – or a pilot project demonstrating the feasibility of their product. 

Samsung is interested in innovations in camera (optics, algorithms, electronics), power, audio, on-device AI, metaverse/augmented reality (XR), sensors, foldable, wearables, health, connectivity, environment and sustainability (ESG), and advanced materials.

The six-month long Samsung Mobile Advance (SMA) is in its second year in Israel, and is part of a global program which is also taking place in the US, Europe, Canada, China, Japan, and India. 

“One of the challenges faced by startups and high-tech companies is testing the feasibility of their technology, product or service,” said Lior Yekutieli, Director of Open Innovation at Samsung Research Israel.

“Our work lets participating companies explore the possibility of integrating their technology into Samsung’s products. Our process begins by identifying companies with suitable technologies and helping them execute a POC with our R&D units in Korea.

“If the POC results are good, then we can proceed to a technological partnership agreement, a licensing agreement, investment through Samsung’s investment fund, and more, based on the needs of both companies.

“The SMA program is a great opportunity for participating companies to present their pioneering technologies to Samsung’s Open Innovation and R&D directors, who are determined to acquire the best technologies for the company and its products in the near future.

“The funding from the program and the work with Korean labs will help companies tailor their existing product and technology for integration into Samsung’s products and to exhibit cutting-edge results. We encourage qualified Israeli companies to apply to the program, as it is a wonderful opportunity for them to enter one of the world’s leading tech companies through the front door.”

Registration for the program ends on March 31st. Selected companies will pitch their proposal in May and the program itself will run from July 2023 to February 2024.