NEWSLETTER
April-May, 2023
We are pleased to tell you about the most notable events of April and May at the International Foodtech Center in Kiryat Shmona.
Given the level of activity at our Center, we've implemented a new format which we have divided across our main spheres of activity, also including a spotlight on the event of the month.
We thank all of our partners in Israel and throughout the world.
Spotlight on the Event of the Month
5.22.23
Music Factory Street Concert
We hosted a truly memorable evening this month where over 600 individuals from diverse backgrounds, encompassing a wide range of religious and political beliefs, gathered for an inspiring event before the holiday of Shavuot. The focus of the evening was a captivating street concert consisting of 94 musicians and singers. The beautiful performance was led by the international conductor and percusion artist Chen Zimbalista together with the Music Factory orchestra. Special thanks to our partners who made this evening possible, bringing together families, entrepreneurs and the general public in the Galilee and the Golan for this high quality evening of music, art and culture.
Economic Development
5.1.23
JNF-USA Go North Task Force
We were excited to host members of the task force who believe wholeheartedly in developing the Galilee and work every day to turn this vision into a reality.
5.2.23
Bühler
We are continuing to stir up interest among giant corporations. At the beginning of the month we hosted the international corporation, Bühler, with the goal of looking into coordinating activities here in Kiryat Shmona.
5.4.23
Galilee Annual Conference
We also had the pleasure of participating for the 8th year in the Galilee Annual Conference in memory of Elad Erlich (RIP). The conference's focus this year was on the joint regional effort to turn the Tel Hai Academic College into the University of the Galilee.
5.21.23
JNF Holland
A new connection was created between us and Jewish donors in Holland who know Israel well and were eager to learn about the Israeli foodtech industry and the Galilee as the "Foodtech Valley" of the north.
5.15.23
Ministry of Economy visit
As part of a years-long partnership with the Ministry of Economy, a group organized together with the consulting firm Porter came to learn about the special model that we are implementing here, in which a region focuses on a single theme, leading to economic development.
Lehemk'e City - New branch in the International Foodtech Center
We're happy to announce the opening of a new branch of the well-loved café Lehemk'e in the Galilee. We invite you to join us at Lehemk'e City, located at our center and enjoy breakfast and baked goods amongst the most acclaimed in Israel.
Economic Development
We've got something new
The Studio has welcomed two new companies - Bing Klima, a local firm from Kibbutz HaGoshrim, which integrates the spheres of solar energy and green roofs, and Coffee Vibe, a foodtech company developed in Kiryat Shmona, owned by Prosolv Technologies.
We're happy to announce that four STUDIO.GALIL companies closed new investments and 12 new investors have shown interest in investing in our entrepreneurs.
A new cooperative venture - the Food Industries Association
A new joint venture has been formed between the Studio and the Food Industries Association of the Manufacturers Association, for the purpose of assisting companies in developing products and adapting them to market.
4.16-18.23
Startups from India's Kerala District make their second visit to the Galilee
Sixteen representatives from eight Indian startups from the Kerala District Innovation Authority, and the director of the Foreign Relations Center at the Calicut Technological Institute, arrived for an intense week of learning how to set up startups in the foodtech and agritech fields. They were also exposed to the Galilee ecosystem and looked into cooperative ventures with academic institutions in the region.
5.12.23
BLUE HUNA in a harvest event
After a successful pilot cultivating straw dedicated to the production of straws, the company Blue Huna held a Shavuot-themed harvest event in their testing field. This event attracted extensive media attention.
5.29.23
Visit by Sea Fund ("keren Yam") and Ratio Technologies - Halophilix
Sea Fund, an investment fund focusing on technologies connected to the sea and marine agriculture, in partnership with Ratio Technologies Fund, came to learn more about the Studio company Halophilix.
Communities, Culture and Arts
4.2.23
Exodus from Egypt - Story of the Women Leaders
The Galiladies community held an exciting event on women's leadership - past and present. Efrat Rayten, Knesset member and chair of the Labor caucus, opened the event as a public figure who works every day to promote women's issues. Rabba Orit Rozenblit complemented her with a review of the women leaders who are featured in the story of the Exodus.
4.16.23
Holocaust Memorial Day
Once again, this year we hosted a Holocaust survivor in honor of Holocaust Memorial Day. Evelyn Hammershlag brought us to tears with her unbelievable life story in which her parents were forced to choose her sister and leave Evelyn to her fate. Thanks to her parents' courage and ingenuity the family eventually managed to reunite.
4.20.23
GALILADIES
The GALILADIES community, in an inspiring Independence Day event, presented research-based data showing the profit line for every business in which women are real partners in decision -making.
5.29.23
Career Boost
For the second year in a row, we held a unique meetup on the subject of the new world of employment for our student community for entrepreneurship and innovation. This initiative was led by Riki Mozes and Adi Ben Yosef, Human Resource Directors of the JVP Fund. They provided practical tools for integrating employees into global roles. Thank you both!
5.14.23
START ART finishing up the year
We're happy to announce the end of the hugely successful first year of the START ART program. The final event focused on an exhibition of the children's artwork inspired by the startups Kinoko and Blue Huna and the connection between waste from wine manufacturing ("lees") and the exhibition inspired by the Mona Lisa. All participants finished the year with outstanding creativity! Thanks to our partners for believing along the way. We're already planning the next exciting year!
Education
4.19.23
Students from the Rambam School in Kiryat Shmona meet entrepreneur Yuval Klein
Fifth-graders from Rambam School in Kiryat Shmona met the entrepreneur Yuval Klein for a joint study on the "Beetchup" - one of their developments from their studies in foodtech with the "Galilium" team. They also investigated and measured how sweet the product is and what level of sweetness they prefer. What fun to inspire curiosity in young students!
4.20.23
Visit by students in the agriculture track from regional high schools
Tenth-graders from the agriculture track of the regional Hula Valley High School came for a visit and heard about innovative developments in the world of food and agriculture. They also heard a fascinating lecture by Yael Yogev, graduate of the agriculture track, about the company BioBetter where she works at present. We were as excited as they were!
5.2.23
The Luzzatto Group for a fascinating day of lectures
Attorney Koby Agar from The Luzzatto Group came all the way from the South to lecture the students from the Ort Ulpan school, the Matmid Yeshiva school, and Korczak about intellectual property and inventions and innovations surrounding their joint research with the companies BioBetter and Yemoja.
5.21.23
Leadspace in cooperation with the Tel Hai School
The company Leadspace, a JVP portfolio company, held a series of meetings with the Tel Hai school this year. This month they met for the third time and together gave the school an upgrade - they created floor games, set up planters with flowers and herbs, and painted desks and benches throughout the school.
Visitors
4.19.23
Visit by Steve Dabrow
There was great excitement hosting Steve and Lori Dabrow, and Dalejax and Jackie Danilewitz - food manufacturers and Foodtech investors. During the visit we connected them with our promising startups, making sure not to skip over an experiential visit to Ghajar Village, recently opened to visitors.
5.3.23
Connnecting to San Diego
The president of JNF-USA San Diego, Ms. Jackie Schneider, discovered what's happening at our International Foodtech Center. Here too we kicked off the visit with Solato's acclaimed ice cream.
4.5.23
Women power!
70 women from 16 countries around the world from Keren Hayesod organization came to visit us in order to create cross-border cooperative ventures. It was fascinating. Thank you to our partners at Keren Hayesod for developing the initiative!
5.15.23
Outstanding in science
A group of outstanding science students from Chicago came on a tour and to learn about innovative Israeli developments in food and agriculture. We're happy to strengthen the next generation on an international level.
5.15.23
British Appeal
The newly appointed British ambassador came for a visit to learn about our activities up close and take a look at new partnering opportunities.
5.30.23
JNF Faculty
30 professors from all over the U.S. who are promoting studies in the world's leading universities came to experience Israeli entrepreneurship and to witness developments at the forefront of Israeli innovation in the foodtech and agtech arenas. The researchers will spread the word throughout the world and promote scientific cooperation. Very exciting.
