“The Time”, “MEDX XELERATOR”, “JVP Labs” and “eHealth Ventures”, are the four franchises that have
been selected to operate technology incubators. These franchises join the 15 franchises previously selected,
completing the team of 19 technology incubators for the coming years.
These 4 new franchises were selected on March 14, 2016 following the last round of competitive
proceedings for the coming years, held by the National Authority for Technological Innovation.
Amit Lang, Director General of the Ministry of Economy and Industry said: “completion of the incubators selection
process, whose operations will affect a wide range of industries and fields in Israel in the coming years, is important
and meaningful with the regional spread, in Modi'in Illit and Or Yehuda, allowing exposure of entrepreneurship and
innovation to new audiences”.
Avi Hasson, Head of the National Innovation Authority and Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Economy and Industry
said: "The selection process for these franchises was complex and challenging this time. Excellent proposals were
submitted in various technological sectors by outstanding groups. The committee’s selection reflects the deep
analysis of the quality and composition of the submission teams, the relevant markets, the needs of different fields,
as well as the broad overall effect on the Israeli economy. The process and the substantial groups that took part in it,
along with the reform that we have made, which sets high and uncompromising threshold requirements, will bring
tremendous value to companies that will be established in these incubators. "
The fifth round of competitive proceedings of the Technological Incubators Program in the Startup Arena, which
concluded last week, was completed with the selection of 4 new franchises that will establish and operate technology
incubators. This fifth round was the last planned round for the coming years and concludes the successful selection of 19
technological incubator franchises and one biotech incubator franchise. The following franchises were selected in this
final round:
1. The Time was chosen to continue to operate the technology incubator it owns in Tel Aviv. The incubator, which is
owned by Ilan Shiloah and Nir Tarlovsky along with IPG / McCann, Eurocom Communications, Viola credit and
others, has been operating successfully for seven years. During the next franchise period it will focus on investments
in software and communications, including the "Internet of Things" (IoT), smart homes, smart cities, connected
vehicles and wearable computing. The selection was based, among other things, on the experience of the
shareholders and the management team of the incubator in investment and support of start-ups that has led to it
winning the title of "Outstanding Incubator" for three consecutive years during 2010-2012.
2. MEDX XELERATOR was selected to establish and operate a technology incubator in Or Yehuda, as part of the
competitive tender in the Tel Aviv District. The incubator is owned by MEDX Ventures Group, Boston Scientific
Corporation, Intellectual Ventures, and Tel Hashomer (Sheba) Medical Center’s Technology Transfer Company, and
will invest in medical devices, combination medical products and digital health aimed at surgery, diagnostics and
treatments. The selection was based, inter alia, on the added value that the shareholders are expected to provide to
the portfolio companies within the incubator. The shareholders are expected to provide to the portfolio companies
their available resources in Israel and abroad. Their extensive technology and business experience will be a
significant contribution to the success of the companies towards entering and establishing themselves in the market.
The unique combination of a multinational company with a global innovation center, an investment firm and a
medical center is expected to provide high added value to both the incubator and the industry in Israel.
*Translated and modified from the Hebrew announcement published on March 15, 2016 by the Office of the Chief Scientist
3. JVP Labs was chosen to continue operating a technology incubator in Jerusalem. The incubator is owned by the
venture capital fund JVP which was joined in this competitive process by Motorola, Reliance Industries and Yissum,
the Technology Transfer Company of the Hebrew University, and will focus on investments in software and
communications. The selection was based on the vast experience of JVP and the incubator team in investment and
support of start-ups from the initial development stage to commercialization of the products on the one hand, and
selection and integration of new investors that complement the needs of the companies on the other hand.
4. eHealth Ventures (EHV) was selected to establish and operate a technology incubator in Modi'in Illit. The incubator,
which is owned by Maccabi HMO, the Cleveland Clinic, eHealth Ventures with Downing partners, Shanghai Creation,
Shafa Invesco, Medison Pharma and others, will focus its investments in digital health. The selection was based,
among other things, on the unique collaboration between a number of groups and the added value of Maccabi
Health Services and Cleveland Clinic to the portfolio companies in the area of digital health.
The selected franchises will enjoy a franchise period of 8 years during which their projects will receive support from the
state of Israel, with participation rate of 85% of the approved budget for each company.
Anya Eldan, Director of the Startup Arena at the Innovation Authority, notes that "the incubator program has changed
significantly in 2012; Since then, the franchises are selected through a competitive process and on the basis of the added
value that they can provide in leading companies during their early stages, either by providing access to their extensive
network of partners and potential clients, or by their substantial business and technology experience in bringing
products to market”. Eldan adds that “these competitive procedures attracted many high-quality proposals that made
the selection process very difficult".
Avi Hasson, Head of the Innovation Authority and the Chief Scientist adds that "the Startup Arena was established to
address the broad needs of start-ups in Israel, starting from the entrepreneur at the conceptual stage, to young
companies at the start of sales, or clinical trials in medical companies. The technology incubator program offers a
significant investment to the young companies, in addition to the commercial added value that is provided by the
incubator’s shareholders”.
*Translated and modified from the Hebrew announcement published on March 15, 2016 by the Office of the Chief Scientist