Getting on a plane and traveling abroad for a week is never an easy feat – let alone leaving my family in the middle of a war. 
 
In this sense, COP28 was a form of escapism. To put the day-to-day reality on the backburner (“Are the kids safe?”, “How are you holding up?”) seemed impossible and many colleagues came up to me and with a severe look of concern and said, “Please don’t go.” 

The debate about our travels reached our management, but in the end, our team got on a plane that took us to a “level-3-travel-warning” destination for Israelis.  

After a year and a half of hard work, building relationships confirmed participation on five international stages, the high potential meetings scheduled, and the fact that the UAE hosted COP28 – our new strategic ally and partner… it was too much opportunity to give up on.  

With the Israeli delegation shrinking from “1000 attendees and the largest scheduled startup delegation ever to COP” to less than 40 people overall – we knew we needed to be there, no matter what. Daily chats with government officials residing in the UAE further convinced me to trust my gut – our participation became a national mission. My colleague Aviva Steinberger summarized it so well:  

“If we are not there, no one will miss us.
But if we do show up, people will notice.”  

Our brave team of four got on the plane unsure what lay ahead and a little concerned that we wouldn’t return safely. For a European or an American, this probably sounds a little dramatic, but as Israelis (and Jews), this is common – safety cannot be taken for granted. Carrying this extra mental baggage, we removed any obvious signs of our religion or nationality, like our Startup Nation Central swag bags, and resolved to speak only English in public.  

After weeks of difficult news, landing in a foreign country was a breath of fresh air – I got to speak about my favorite topics again: innovation, collaboration, tech, and climate solutions. It was like wearing my most comfortable track pants in public.  

People at COP28 spoke about waste, funding and investments, novel materials, new transatlantic programs, and building resilience. The word “impact” was spoken in a positive context and “negotiations” meant finding common ground for a better future.  
 
The UNFCCC selected us to curate a discussion about startup-corporate partnerships on its Tech & Innovation stage in the Blue Zone. Proudly holding up our logo, I spoke about our 10 years of experience working with multinationals partnering with Israeli startups, explaining the multi-model approach we are seeing take center stage post covid.  

With over 400+ multinationals active in Israel, we had a lot of data to work with.  

We were also pre-selected by the COP28 UAE Presidency to curate content in the green zone – our colleague Gary Soleiman moderated a panel on Urban Sustainability and the role of innovation. All in all, we truly made an effort to bring the deepest and most impactful climate tech discussions we could, leveraging our great contacts and relationships with key figures who are, just like us, focused on doing good to this world.   

As the week progressed and our sense of security increased, we braved the question of “where are you from” with the truth: “Israel”. Each time we answered, this sparked interest and a deeper conversation – often with an “I didn’t know that” from our counterpart. In some of these conversations, I left in tears, reminded of the reality we came from and would soon return to. Everyone I spoke to expressed solidarity with human pain and expressed support for a quick resolution. This renewed my faith in humanity. 

Returning safely to my family after a week at COP28, I can say that it was one of my most difficult weeks as an Israeli abroad. But it was also one of my most hopeful.  

I was reminded that there are truly good people out there. Maybe, just maybe, thanks to them, good (and our planet) will prevail.   

The post Hope and Humanity at COP28: Reflections of an Israeli Delegate  appeared first on Startup Nation Central.

re·sil·ience /rəˈzilēəns/ noun  

1. The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.  
2. The ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.

How do you know if something is resilient?
You test it – again and again and again.

The Israeli innovation ecosystem, the ‘Startup Nation’, is no stranger to difficulty. It is well poised to withstand, recover, and thrive, even now, as we fight the ugliest terror and evil.  

However, the new relationships we’ve built in the region in the last three years, in the context of the Abraham Accords and normalization, are still vulnerable. Relationships grounded in tech and economic collaboration have held so much promise for a prosperous future in our shared corner of the world. Robust business ties, academic exchange, knowledge sharing, and scalable tech solutions have forged close personal ties across the region. Tested now more than ever, these relationships are the key to building a resilient, innovative region and the reason why my colleagues and I traveled to COP28 in Dubai – despite our reservations and concerns.  

The Israeli economy withstands crisis and conflict. A recent analysis by Startup Nation Central shows that after Operation Protective Edge of July-Aug 2014, the Israeli economy not only showed resilience during the conflict but also continued to grow twice as much as the OECD average – 4% compared to 2% after the conflict. Of the ~290 Israeli companies that raised funds in H2 2014, 36% later had a successful exit, compared to ~30% in the preceding halves. And 2014 is not an isolated case.  

In conflicts before and after Protective Edge, and during COVID-19, the Israeli tech ecosystem demonstrated resilience. The current war with Hamas is not just another round of conflict and over 120 hostages are still held in Gaza with no information as to their wellbeing. But embedded in the DNA of Israeli innovators is often-tested resilience. This is why numerous countries in the region recognize that collaboration with Israeli tech offers opportunities for their economies and they continue to show interest in working with Israeli companies despite recent events.   

Partnering with the Israeli tech ecosystem brings a wealth of knowledge on building strong ecosystems, raising the next generation of local entrepreneurs, and partnering on tech solutions to challenges such as water security, agriculture, and energy.

During our time at COP28, we were initially concerned about how other attendees would receive our delegation, but this proved to be a non-issue. The openness and interest in Israeli solutions allowed us to strengthen existing ties and create new relationships with global partners, bring visibility to Israeli startups and the resilient Israeli ecosystem, and generate momentum for our Climate Solutions Prize initiative in partnership with JNF-Canada and KKL.  

For the second year in a row, this competition brings Israeli startups with impactful climate solutions to meet specific industry challenges. It is a platform that propels forward-thinking startups into the global arena, enabling them to contribute significantly to the fight against climate change. By providing these startups with the necessary resources and exposure, CSP plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and practical solutions in the realm of climate technology. Following the attendance of several CSP finalists at COP28, the winners of the Israeli Startup Track will be announced in February 2024. 

Since October 7, many delegations, conferences, and programs designed to concretize business partnerships have been put on hold. However, our shared economic aspirations and hope for a brighter future for the region persist.  Personal ties and actual friendships between people that just three years ago would not have been possible are our hope, and this hope was reinforced at COP28.  

As Bahrain’s Finance Minister Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa al-Khalifa emphasized at an investment conference in Saudi Arabia: “It’s extremely important in the region that we continue to build bridges”, and not let the Israel-Hamas war interrupt economic integration in the region. He continued that some want to build and others seek to destroy:

“The people who should write the future are the builders in the region.”

We look forward to deepening our ties with our partners and friends across the region. Together we will create a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial, resilient future for our region – now more than ever. 

The post Building a Resilient Region appeared first on Startup Nation Central.

It is designed to award the best and brightest climate tech startups throughout Israel, providing them with access to investment, cash prizes, partnership opportunities with global corporates, and exposure at COP28, among other benefits, to promote scalable, sustainable solutions to pressing environmental challenges – because the world doesn’t have the time to wait.  

Each challenge and its winner represent a step forward in the global fight against climate change, showcasing the potential of technology and innovation to create a more sustainable future. We are excited to announce the winners of the seven challenges in the Israeli startup track.

Overview of the 2023 Climate Solutions Prize Startup Track

•  Focus on Climate Tech: The track specifically targets startups in Israel that are developing innovative solutions in the field of climate technology. 
  
•  Substantial Rewards: The initiative offers over $1.32 million in investments and cash prizes, along with multiple opportunities to win. 
  
•  Wide Participation: An impressive pool of 280 applicants participated, from which 21 finalists were selected after a thorough vetting process. 
  
•  Diverse Challenges: These finalists have shown exceptional promise in addressing climate tech challenges across seven different climate challenges posed by influential multinationals and prominent investment bodies. 

Key Challenges and Winners

Capital Nature $1 Million Flagship Investment: Energy, Sustainable Mobility, Built Environment, and Circular Economy.

Finalists: CarbonBlue, Filo Systems, and Noohra.

Winner: Filo Systems Ltd addresses the pressing need for data efficiency and reduced energy consumption with its data compression engine. Their technology offers optimized storage and networking savings, which in turn lowers energy consumption, cooling costs, operational expenses, and environmental impact.

E.ON Challenge: Energy Solutions for Industry and Buildings.

Finalists: Curapipe, Tigi, and Urban Dashboard. 

Winner: TIGI has made significant strides with its renewable heat generation and heat storage solutions tailored for commercial and industrial applications. Their technology exemplifies how renewable energy can be harnessed more effectively, contributing to the decarbonization of heating and cooling systems in buildings and industries.

Continental AG Challenge: Sustainable Materials for Automotive Applications.

Finalists: Biotic, CelluFlux, and Seevix Material Sciences.

Winner: BioTic delivers an innovative approach to replacing fossil fuel plastics. Their scalable, fully biological process not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also champions a zero-waste and circular economy, marking a significant step towards sustainable materials in the automotive industry.

ESIL EarlyStage Funding Competition: Offering up to 2 million NIS Investment Opportunity.

Finalists: BaTTeRi Thomas, BugEra, and Elssway. 

Winner: BaTTeRi developed an innovative EV Charging as a Service (CaaS) solution, featuring a proprietary charging robot named Thomas, revolutionizes the EV charging infrastructure. This zero-infrastructure method enables rapid DC EV charging in any parking spot, facilitating the transition to electric vehicles.

Italgas Challenge: Decarbonizing Energy Infrastructure. 

Finalists: Opgal, Nemo Nanomaterials, and Noohra. 

Winner: Nemo Nanomaterials specializes in providing scalable nanotechnology solutions that enhance the performance and improve the properties of industrial materials and products. Their winning technology offers a pathway to more sustainable and efficient energy distribution infrastructure.

Temasek Foundation Challenge: Disruptive Decarbonization Prize. Aimed at helping cities remove carbon emissions at scale.

Finalists: Electriq, HydroX, Nostromo Energy, and SolCold. 

Winner: Electriq offers a hydrogen carrier solution, which simplifies the storage, transport, and use of hydrogen, represents a significant innovation in the field of decarbonization. Their technology is a promising avenue for utilizing hydrogen as a clean energy source, especially in off-grid applications and long-term storage.

Takeda Challenge: Addressing Plastic Waste in the Plasma Industry

Finalists: Envomed, Maderight, UBQ

Winner: Envomed‘s technology for shredding and sterilizing medical waste simultaneously represents a breakthrough in waste management. Their chemical sterilization technology, capable of achieving a 6-log reduction of spores, offers a sustainable solution to the challenge of medical waste, including single-use plastics.

Significance and Impact of CSP Israel Startup Track

The CSP 2023 Israel Startup Track is not just a competition; it is a platform that propels forward-thinking startups into the global arena, enabling them to contribute significantly to the fight against climate change. By providing these startups with the necessary resources and exposure, the CSP is playing a crucial role in fostering innovation and practical solutions in the realm of climate technology. 

This initiative stands as a testament to the vibrant and dynamic nature of Israel’s startup ecosystem, particularly in the field of environmental sustainability and climate tech. The anticipation for the announcement of the winners in February 2024 highlights the importance and impact of this track in the global effort to address climate change. 

Let’s take a closer look at the specific challenge tracks and the TOP 3 FINALISTS in each category…

1. E.ON Challenge: Energy Solutions for Industry & Buildings 

Challenge Description: E.ON sought out digitally-enabled energy solutions for clients in the industrial and buildings segment, aiming to discover breakthrough technologies to help deliver energy and heat transition faster. 

TIGI: Renewable heat generation and heat storage solutions for commercial and industrial applications.

Curapipe System: Trenchless Automated Leakage Repair (TALR) is an internal pipeline leakage repair solution for multiple leaks in water distribution networks.

Urban Dashboard: An AI-powered decision support platform for smarter, faster, and more effective urban planning.

2. Continental Challenge: Sustainable Materials for Automotive Applications 

Challenge Description: Continental aims to achieve 100% carbon neutrality and emission-free mobility by 2050, focusing on new, novel materials for automotive applications. 

BioTic: Enabling optimal transition from fossil fuel plastics with a scalable, fully biological, environmentally friendly process, contributing towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a zero waste and circular economy approach.

CelluFlux: CelluFlux develops catalytic processes to transform renewable carbohydrates into useful chemical products that can find use in a wide range of applications. 

Seevix: Producing high-strength spider silk fibers through recombinant DNA technologies backed by over a decade of scientific research. 

3. Temasek Foundation Challenge: Disruptive Decarbonization Prize 

Challenge Description: The Disruptive Decarbonization Prize sought the most innovative solutions to help urban cities remove carbon emissions at scale, including technology-based carbon capture, utilization, and storage solutions, and low carbon solutions for energy, urban infrastructure, and transport. 

Electriq: A hydrogen carrier that acts like a coffee powder for a coffee machine – simplifying storage, transport, and use of hydrogen in off-grid applications and long-term storage.

HydroX: Enables storage and transport of hydrogen in a non-toxic, non-flammable, non-explosive, cost and energy-efficient carrier and driving the cost of hydrogen storage and transportation below US$1/kgH2. 

Nostromo: Accelerates the renewable energy revolution by reducing our reliance on fossil-based energy while contributing to a more stable electric grid. 

Solcold: Cooling coatings for a range of applications including roofs of buildings, transportation vehicles, and clothing, that can greatly contribute to mitigating the urban heat island effect. 

4. Capital Nature Challenge: $1M Investment Track Challenge 

Challenge Description: The challenge offered an equity investment opportunity to Israeli early-stage startups developing innovative technologies aimed at decarbonizing the economy and reducing its environmental footprint, including new energy, sustainable mobility, built environment, and circular economy. 

Filo Systems Ltd: A data compression engine providing optimized storage and networking savings, as well as lower energy consumption, cooling costs, operational expenses, and environmental impact.

Carbon Blue: Helps companies offset their carbon emissions and earn carbon credits by removing CO2 directly from seawater.

Noohra: Developing innovative Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) Hyperspectral Imaging systems, specifically designed to monitor Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in real-time. 

5. Italgas Challenge: Decarbonizing Energy Infrastructure 

Challenge Description: Italgas, a leader in energy distribution infrastructure, focused on driving energy transition and decarbonization efforts in Europe, aligning with the EU’s Green Deal Targets. 

Nemo Nanomaterials:  Provides industrially scalable nanotechnology solutions that enhance the performance and improve the properties of industrial materials and products. 

Opgal: Specializes in the development and production of thermal cameras and electro-optical systems, with a focus on Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) and thermography.

Noohra: Developing innovative Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) Hyperspectral Imaging systems, specifically designed to monitor Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in real-time. 

6. ESIL Challenge: EarlyStage Funding Competition 

Challenge Description: ESIL created a platform for scaling DeepTech solutions for climate-related challenges, providing know-how, funding, network, and pilot facilities. 

BaTTeRi: An innovative EV Charging as a Service (CaaS), zero infrastructure method based on a proprietary charging robot, Thomas. Thomas enables sites and parking lots to offer rapid DC EV charging in every parking spot.

BugEra: Focused on sustainable biological production, leveraging the harmless insect Black Soldier Fly’s potential to upcycle organic waste into protein, oil, and fertilizer.  

Elssway: Using conductive paint allows for simple integration onto any surface, providing a convenient and efficient charging solution for electric vehicles, bus fleets, e-bikes, and autonomous logistics robots. 

7. Takeda Challenge: Addressing Plastic Waste in the Plasma Industry 

Challenge Description: Takeda’s challenge focused on revolutionizing the plasma donation process by minimizing the amount of waste generated, particularly targeting the reduction of single-use plastic waste. 

Envomed: A unique machine that shreds and sterilizes medical waste simultaneously, using a scientifically developed and proven chemical sterilization technology that can achieve a 6-log reduction of spores in infectious medical waste.  

Maderight: Developed a circular economy model that leverages organic industrial waste as a nutrient source for cultivating fungi, resulting in the production of high-quality, sustainable materials that can meet the packaging needs of any industry.

UBQ: A plastic substitute made from unrecyclable household waste, including all organics, This homogeneous thermoplastic replaces oil-based plastics in durable applications across industries.

The Climate Solutions Prize Startup Track is more than just a competition; it is a significant step forward in the global fight against climate change. For the Israeli tech ecosystem, recognized for its dynamism and ingenuity, this track offers a unique platform to showcase cutting-edge solutions in climate technology. The participation of Israeli startups in CSP shows Israel’s commitment to environmental sustainability and highlights the country’s role as a leader of technological innovation with a global impact. 

-> Check out last year’s Climate Solutions Prize Israeli Startup Track winners.

We are optimistic that the solutions developed by the startup finalists have the potential to create positive change worldwide, offering new ways to tackle issues like carbon emissions, sustainable energy, and waste reduction to move us toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

-> Learn more about the Climate Solutions Prize.

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