During Solidarity and Trade Mission Cuomo and Israel Innovation Authority Announce $2 Million Partnership Agreement to Foster New Economic Development Opportunities Between the Two States
Smart Cities Innovation Partnership Will Share Innovative Technologies, Research, Talent and Business Resources Between Cities in New York and Israel
Hot Spot and Incubator Program Will Focus on Supporting Israeli Investments in New York Including in the Areas of Cybersecurity, UAS/Drones, Bio Technology, Life Sciences and Clean Energy
Announcement Made at Today’s Economic Development Roundtable to Identify Opportunities for Israeli Businesses to Partner with New York
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JERUSALEM, ISRAEL — June 27, 2019 — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a $2 million partnership agreement with the Israel Innovation Authority for two new programs that will further strengthen economic development ties between New York State and Israel. Empire State Development will sign a Declaration of Intent with the Israel Innovation Authority to cooperate on the co-development and commercialization of innovative solutions in the fields of cybersecurity, supply chain, smart cities, energy, unmanned aerial vehicles, life sciences and other areas. As part of the agreement, New York State and Israel will establish a Smart Cities Innovation Partnership, a new initiative that will share innovative technologies, research, talent and business resources between cities in New York and Israel. The Governor also announced that New York State’s Hot Spot and Incubator programs will now implement a new focus on Israeli companies who want to invest in the Empire State.
“The New York-Israel economic relationship is unique and it is strong, but we want to make it even better. The future of New York is going to be growth in the tech sector, and this joint venture between New York and Israel will develop new opportunities that allow both economies to thrive even further,” Governor Cuomo said. “With the rise in anti-Semitic attacks in our State and across the nation, we are here to say how sad, embarrassed and disgusted we are with these incidents, and that we will not let it stand. We will get over this ugly period of division and hatred, and one of the ways to do that is by continuing to develop this deep cultural, political and economic relationship.”
Dr. Ami Appelbaum, Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority and Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy and Industry said, “As technology advances and touches every facet of our daily lives, the future of Smart Cities is just around the corner and highly depends to new and innovative technologies. This collaboration between the ESD (Empire State Development of New York State) and the Israel Innovation Authority, facilitated by our Americas Operations desk and the Ministry of Economy, Foreign Trade Administration (FTA), headed by Mr. Inon Elroy, Economic Minister to North America, will provide startups an opportunity for pilot validation sites to address the strategic concerns of both States such as cybersecurity, supply chain, energy, health, transportation, wastewater, water, civic engagement, parks, public works, and safety.”
Declaration of Intent with Israel Innovation Authority
The Declaration of Intent (DOI) builds upon a 2018 MOU signed by NYSERDA and the Israel Innovation Authority to support partnerships between New York and Israel focusing on emerging clean energy projects that will accelerate the pace of innovation in the global marketplace. Empire State Development and the Israel Innovation Authority will sign a Declaration of Intent in which the State of New York and the Government of Israel pledge to:
- Facilitate access for New York and Israeli startups and companies to accelerators and incubators in both places (including but not limited to the New York Hot Spot and Incubator Program);
- Facilitate collaboration aiming to develop a “Smart Cities Innovation Partnership,” to which New York and Israel will contribute an equivalent amount of matching resources, and will provide adequate pilot and validation sites for the participating companies in both States addressing the strategic concerns of both States such as cybersecurity, supply chain, energy, health, transportation, wastewater, water, civic engagement, parks, public works and safety;
- Issue joint solicitations for Innovation projects and organizing activities for entities from the State of Israel and New York State that promote cooperation in Innovation between entities from the State of Israel and from New York State; and
- Establish a working group to explore these and other ways to work together on the Smart Cities Innovation Partnership and other innovation programs.
Smart Cities Innovation Partnership
The Smart Cities Innovation Partnership, which will include Empire State Development and the Israel Innovation Authority, will issue a grant to establish five Smart Cities in Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) regions in New York and test bed sites in Israel. The sites in New York and Israel will partner to provide opportunities for companies to explore new markets and resources to assist with business development, technology acceleration and mentorship. Empire State Development, in conjunction with the Israel Innovation Authority, will issue a $2 million grant to support the Smart Cities Innovation Partnership, with each agency contributing a 1:1 grant match. Cities participating in the Partnership should have similar concerns and strategic goals.
In each city, areas will be designated to serve as a testbed for one of the following purposes:
- New and emerging technology
- Cybersecurity
- Supplier chain
- Real time monitoring of utilities
- Removing water contaminants
- Testing UAS and/or autonomous vehicles
- Traffic flow systems
The Partnership will also invite global entrepreneurs, academics, technologists and companies to test, develop and validate their innovative technologies. Partnerships will include opportunities for students and workers to further develop their knowledge and experiences. Each Smart City will host an annual Future of Technology day that includes opportunities for companies to explore new markets.
New York State’s Hot Spot and Incubator Programs to Implement New Focus on Israeli Companies
New York State’s Hot Spot and Incubator programs, a $5.125 million program, will implement a new focus on Israeli companies. The program provides support to numerous technology sectors, including cybersecurity, UAS/drones, bio technology, life sciences, clean energy, energy efficiency and the prioritization of MWBE inclusion. Incubators and hot spots will offer services to new companies, further establishing New York State as a hub for collaborative commercialization.
A reciprocal agreement will be in place to have New York State companies have space and support from Israeli Accelerators and Incubators, and both Israeli and New York program managers will actively scout and recruit companies to participate in this program.
Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) manages the Hot Spot and Incubator Program, which includes over 30 centers focused on assisting early-stage companies and advancing technology.
Incubators and Hot Spots will also work with SUNY and CUNY to develop training opportunities for students and other collaborations.
Additional services provided by the Incubators and Hot Spots include mentoring, advising, access to boot camp workshops, technical support for commercializing research, physical space and access to researchers and equipment.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “New York’s economic partnership with Israel is an important part of the growth and innovation that supports both, and these new partnerships will strengthen economic cooperation on a range of priorities, from drones to life sciences, and benefit New York and Israeli companies and entrepreneurs.”
SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson said, “Educating the next generation of highly skilled workers is at the core of SUNY’s mission and we are thrilled to be part of this exciting new collaboration with Israel. This key partnership will provide our students with a unique access to groundbreaking advancements in research within the technology sector, which will once again establish New York as a leader in innovation and higher education.”
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SOURCE: | New York State | Executive Chamber | [email protected]
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