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The State of Israel and the State of California entered into a technology cooperation agreement when representatives of their governments met at the 2014 Bio International Convention in San Diego last month. The arrangement calls for biomed companies from California and Israel to submit their research and development for review so they can possibly receive government funding.
Israel’s Industry Center for Research and Development will be responsible for judging the eligibility of Israeli companies for the funding.
The agreement for joint research and development was signed by the director of California Governor’s Office of Business Development Kish Rajan and Consul General of Israel David Siegel.
Siegel said at the time, “This agreement is an important next step in the implementation of the Israel – California strategic partnership. Israel is excited about the opportunity to partner with California agencies and engage in joint R&D projects which help address some of the world’s most dire needs.”
Israel’s Consul for Economic Affairs, Gili Ovadia, added, “The signing of this R&D agreement is an opportunity to enhance economic relations between Israel and the state of California. It will create fruitful relationships between businesses in the US and Israel. With the signing of this agreement, our ability to assist Israeli and American business interests alike has been strengthened in the best and most strategic way possible.”
The agreement came after Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu and California’s Governor Brown signed a deal in March in Silicon Valley which expands economic, cultural, and academic cooperation between the American state and the small country. It includes an emphasis on water conservation, alternative energy, cyber defense, biotechnology and health, and agricultural technology. The deal also calls for Israel to provide California with its expertise in desalination, water recovery and recycling, water filtration. Israel and California both suffer from water shortages.
Under its terms, Israeli companies will have access to California’s iHUB innovation network. iHUB has 16 groups of research parks, technology incubators, universities and federal laboratories as well as economic development organizations, business groups, and venture capital funds.
The convention dealt with health and agricultural issues and notable business leaders such as David Branson attended.
Israel and California are both known for being centers in the world of high tech. Israel is called startup nation and California is home to Silicon Valley.
Israel’s delegation to the convention was arranged by the Israeli Economic Mission to the West Coast and the Israeli Industry Center for research and Development. The Chief Scientist of Israel Avi Hasson spoke about life science R&D in the State of Israel. 20 companies were selected this year to present in the Israeli National Pavilion at the BIO International Convention, including 17 biomed firms. The Pavilion showcased Israel’s innovations in the life sciences industry and positions Israel as a world leader in the life sciences sector.
Israel was one of nineteen countries represented there including, England, Belgium, Australia, Spain and Italy.
The Government of Israel Economic Mission to the West Coast is responsible for enhancing bi-national trade relations between the West Coast and Israeli businesses. Its primary fields of activities include promoting trade and exports, attracting and encouraging foreign investments and creating strategic cooperation with foreign companies.
Hasson said of the new deal, “Collaboration agreements like the one with California will contribute to the Israeli economy, job creation, advancing R&D, entrepreneurialism, technology, and more in both places. We are extremely pleased by this ongoing vote of confidence in Israel’s economy, industry and innovation, which have become an international brand.”
