(Photo from recent CleanIsrael meetup).
Last Monday evening, the Arison Lobby at the IDC in Herzliya was full with founders of clean technology startups, VCs , investors, researchers and other cleantech professionals who gathered for the first Cleantech Startup Showcase, organized by CleanIsrael in conjunction with the new Institute for Renewable Energy Policy and Applied Research (IDC IREP). The event was sponsored by Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co.
The showcase featured presentations by 5 Israeli startups from the areas of energy, water and green technology sectors: Agam Energy, Emefcy, High Check Control, Phoebus Energy, and SOVNA.
“We chose these five companies from the dozens that applied because we wanted companies across a diverse set of sectors and stages of financing,” explains Gene Dolgin, the co-founder of CleanIsrael Network: “Agam develops novel turbine engines, Emefcy produces electricity from wastewater, High-Check builds real-time water contamination detection systems, while Sovna develops urban wind projects; and Phoebus – hybrid heating units.
“Of course, these are all also serious companies that interest both fellow entrepreneurs and investors.”
This was a first-of-its-kind event, and part of CleanIsrael’s goal is to create a vibrant and unified cleantech community in Israel. In past events, the group has hosted speakers from Better Place, Cleantech Group, Israel Cleantech Ventures, and Sindicatum Carbon Capital as well as entrepreneurs from EnStorage and SolarPower Israel.
As part of the team, I’d like to add a personal note about the open and informal ambiance at the Monday night event and the previous meetups and the feeling that something new and creative is going on – great fun!
Gabby Czertok from CleanIsrael was in charge of the live broadcast of the showcase to several North American groups such as the Boston Israel Cleantech Alliance (recently founded by Jonathan Shapira, co-founder of CleanIsrael), the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Israel Business Bridge, and the Canada-Israel Cleantech Alliance (hosted by lawfirm Gowlings).
“It was a little tiring and stressful since we didn’t want anyone to miss a minute of the presentations, but it’s definitely worthwhile to have such a wide exposure,” summed up Gabby post-event.
Ze’ev Hayut, CEO of IDC IREP talked about the Institute’s initiative for partnering with CleanIsrael: “Renewable Energy and Clean Energy are synonymous. There is a clear interest for cooperation, and of being a part of a wider cleantech community.”
Despite the somewhat late hour, many stayed after the presentations to chat some more, and speak to representatives from the South East chapter of the US-Israel Chamber of Commerce that arrived during the event, and were keen on speaking with Israeli entrepreneurs.
The next CleanIsrael event is planned for the end of January in conjunction with the MIT Enterprise Forum, at Tel Aviv University. Full details of the event will soon be available on our website: www.cleanisrael.com. Check us out, and be there!
This guest post is written by Talia Winokur from CleanIsrael. She can be contacted at [email protected].
