Ashdod Port Company is furthering its commitment to innovation by announcing a call for proposals and inviting startups from Israel and worldwide to join its maritime technology hub.
The initiative seeks advanced technological solutions in the fields of supply chains and port operations. Registration is set to open in the coming weeks, after which selected companies will be chosen to participate in the program.
Startups admitted to the hub will benefit from professional and strategic support, as well as the opportunity to conduct proof of concept (POC) projects within a real operational environment at the port. Additionally, they will gain direct access to various departments within the port, including operations, logistics, engineering, energy and environment, security, cyber, safety, and sales.
The Port of Ashdod recently established a dedicated venture capital fund worth up to US$55 million to invest in promising startups from the hub. Participants will also benefit from international exposure to other ports, potential customers, and investors.
Ashdod Port Board Chairman Shaul Schneider stated: “The Port of Ashdod offers startup companies from all over the world a unique opportunity for a long-term business partnership with the port, along with global exposure and the creation of international collaborations. The Port of Ashdod sees innovation as an important growth engine that adds value and creates groundbreaking opportunities for both the startups themselves and the port’s Innovation Division, which offers path-creating solutions that provide significant added value to the traditional port industry.”
Several startups that have already secured equity investments with the help of an expert pitch deck agency and are actively operating at the Israeli port include: Makalu, specializing in LiDAR technology; Salvador, offering rapid recovery solutions for cyber-attacks; Spinframe, developing automated car damage detection technology; Treedis, creating digital twins through augmented virtual reality; Enwize, focusing on technology for training operations teams; Cyber 2.0, providing advanced cyber defense solutions; and Flyz Robotics, developing innovative miniature drone systems with unique capabilities.
Ashdod Port CEO Nissan Levy commented: “The Ashdod Port technology hub offers a unique combination for startups to perform POC experiments in a real environment with a strategic partner like the port, which can be a customer and investor and expose the startup to other customers”. The port gives startups an extraordinary opportunity to create breakthroughs and lead change in the global supply chain”.
