One Million Shekels In Funding and Mentorship Awarded to Top Startup Ideas

Ramat Gan, Israel – November 18, 2024 –  In a milestone step toward building a new relationship, Sheba Medical Center‘s leadership met with Druze community leaders one year ago to explore opportunities for collaboration. This initial dialogue, held just one month before the onset of the war, led to the creation of a unique startup initiative.

Launched this month in partnership with Sheba Impact, ARC Innovation and the nonprofit organization Ofakim LaAtid (“Future Horizons”), the new program aims to support young Druze entrepreneurs and address the critical challenge of securing funding. This collaboration reflects the hospital’s commitment to fostering connections with the Druze community and empowering its next generation of innovators.

“There are many fantastic ideas within the Druze community, but securing funding is one of the biggest challenges our young entrepreneurs face,” said Amir Hassoun, Director of Administration at Sheba’s Rehabilitation Hospital and a proud member of the Druze community who is spearheading the initiative. “We are encouraging our youth to pursue their vision. This is more than just a program; it is an investment in the future of our community and our country. We are so proud of these young innovators and grateful for the opportunity to support their journey.”

The Druze community, numbering around 150,000, makes up about 1.6% of Israel’s population. Many reside in the north, where they have faced the challenges of war, including rocket fire and disruptions to daily life. Druze citizens actively contribute to the country, serving in the military and putting their lives at risk for Israel’s security.

Lieutenant Colonel As’ad Subah, founder of Ofakim LaAtid said, “We are deeply committed to fostering leadership among young people in the Druze community. Our association, founded by Druze military officers, was created to support the next generation. That’s why we are proud to partner on this project with Sheba and philanthropic business leaders. This initiative is not only a great honor but also an important step toward advancing the Druze community.”

The startup initiative invited budding entrepreneurs from the Druze community to submit their innovations, resulting in 20 unique submissions. A panel of Sheba representatives and private investors selected five finalists who presented their projects in a “pitch-off” event, with a total of one million shekels in prizes awarded. The top honor was awarded to the founders of AIBIRD, a company developing an artificial intelligence platform to enhance remote and hybrid learning.

AIBIRD‘s technology analyzes students’ expressions and emotions while they engage with online videos and learning materials, using this data to gauge attention and track progress for personalized guidance. The company’s founder was inspired by his own child who had trouble remaining engaged in distance learning. The company will receive a 300,000 shekel investment to further develop and test its product, along with ongoing mentorship from Sheba’s network.

Speaking on the initiative, Israeli businessman and philanthropist Ofer Kerzner, said, “As an Israeli citizen who loves my country, I am honored to contribute. The Druze are our partners in challenging times; they have paid with their blood. This is not political – this is a chance to show our respect and love for one another, to build our country together. We want to be brothers in life, not only brothers in death.”

The runner-up was Swift, a father-daughter team that developed a unique and immediate water heating solution that conserves energy. The device attaches to the solar water heater and can be used in private homes, hotels, hospitals and more. Other finalists included PreIn, an AI-powered thermal scanning company focused on sports medicine; AgriEye, an AI solution for early detection and disease prediction in apple trees; and MultiKol, a company developing voice analytics for security and identification applications.

Other investor participants included tech entrepreneur Ron Zukerman, Managing Partner of ARYO Ventures, Ami Lidor, Managing Director of Lidorr Elements, Moti Kirshenbaum, entrepreneur and owner of the assisted living network Mediterranean Towers, and Eran Gorev, Partner and President of Israel at Francisco Partners.

The judging panel included Sami Lachiani, head of the economic development of minorities department of the Prime Minister’s Office, Udi Shani, Investor and partner at Zuckerman Fund, and Avner Halperin, CEO of Sheba Impact. More than 100 young volunteers from the nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering young leadership in Israel’s Druze community, Ofakim LaAtid (“Future Horizons”), attended the event. 

Professor Arnon Afek, Associate Director General and Acting Director of Sheba General Hospital, addressed the audience and reflected positively on his personal army experience alongside his Jewish and Druze comrades. He said, “This is just the beginning. We’re bringing together passionate, young Zionist leaders who want to help shape a better future for our country. People ask me all the time how I stay so optimistic – and it’s because I see this next generation. They’re driven, capable, and, in many ways, they’re already better than we were.”

All five finalists will receive guidance and mentorship, connecting them with experienced professionals in the hospital’s network. This program, the first of several planned events, not only helps launch promising startups but also reinforces the strong relationship between the hospital and the Druze community—one built on respect, shared values, and a commitment to a brighter future for all of Israel.

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About Sheba Medical Center

The largest and most comprehensive medical center in the Middle East, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer is generating global impact through its medical care, research and healthcare transformation. Sheba’s City of Health boasts acute-care, rehabilitation, children’s, cancer and geriatric hospitals, research and innovation hubs, medical simulation center and center for disaster response on one comprehensive campus in the center of Israel. Sheba serves as a true hospital without borders, welcoming users and healthcare professionals from all over the world and consistently providing the highest-level medical care to all in need. Sheba has been ranked a World’s Best Hospital by Newsweek six years in a row (2019 – 2024). For more information, visit: https://sheba-global.com/

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