Hebrew University’s Yissum Launches New NanoTech Research Fund

Yissum, The Technology Transfer Company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, announced Tuesday the launch of a new NanoTech fund. The fund will “focus exclusively on promising innovations emerging from Hebrew University’s elite nanotech research,” a statement from the company said.

The fund, which is Yissum’s third, has secured $6 million from top international strategic and institutional investors. It is set to raise up to $9 million.

It will focus on smart materials and nanotechnologies, investing in deep technologies offering integrated solutions in areas that include 3D printing, quantum science, and renewable energy.

The company says the fund will ensure the continued leadership of Hebrew University researchers, including Prof. Uri Banin (founder of nanocrystals firm Qlight Nanotech, acquired by Merck) and Prof. Oded Shoseyov (serial entrepreneur) in nanotech research with significant commercial potential.

“Drawing on the experiences and successes of our other two funds focused on healthcare and food tech, this fund will leverage core strengths of Hebrew University for the benefit of its investors and, most importantly, the world,” Dr. Yaron Daniely, CEO and president of Yissum said.

While the fund has already made preliminary investments in three technologies, including a 3D printing of wood, a diamond-based handheld MRI, and metal-free display in solar cells, it will officially launch at the NanoIL 2018 international conference in Jerusalem, which began on Monday, October 9 and will continue until Thursday, October 11. This three-day event is the leading international nanotechnology conference in Israel. It takes place in cooperation with nanotechnology centers across Israeli universities.

Yissum’s NanoTech fund is the third seed fund established by the technology transfer firm in the last six years. The company has raised more than $50 million in total in its three funds. Yissum’s other funds include Integra Holdings, founded in 2012 and focusing on Hebrew University biotech including therapeutics and medical devices, Agrinnovation, a fund founded in 2015 that focuses on agricultural and food innovations which originated at The Hebrew University’s Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture Food and Environment.